Don't Starve Together Modding on OpenMods

A Klei game with first-class Steam Workshop support

Don't Starve Together (2016) is Klei's multiplayer expansion of the original Don't Starve. Klei has been unusually mod-friendly: the game ships with Steam Workshop integration as a first-class feature, mods load via in-game subscription, and the official mod tools package on Steam includes the SCons-based build chain plus example mods Klei themselves use as reference.

The modding architecture is Lua-based. Every game system is exposed through the prefab structure (each entity is a Lua file declaring its components), and most mods are pure-Lua patches. There's no script extender to install, no plugin loader, Klei built modding into the engine.

The toolchain

• Steam Workshop: the primary mod distribution channel. Subscribe in-browser or in-game, mods auto-download and appear in the in-game Mods menu.
• Don't Starve Mod Tools: Klei's official authoring kit. Free DLC on Steam. Includes the build chain, example mods, and the .tex (Klei texture) creation tools.
• Klei community Discord and forums: central community.

What you'll find on OpenMods

DST's mod ecosystem is overwhelmingly Workshop-based. GitHub hosts the source for many mods (especially the larger character mods and content overhauls), but distribution is Workshop-first. OpenMods catalogues the GitHub-published mods specifically, which is a niche subset.

Practical notes

• Workshop is the path. Unlike most modding scenes where Steam Workshop is a secondary channel, DST's Workshop is the canonical channel. Most players never download a mod from anywhere else.
• Server-side and client-side distinction matters. Some mods affect game logic (character mods, content mods) and must be installed on the server and every client. Cosmetic mods (UI replacers, skins) can run client-only.
• Mod settings expose extensive configurability. Klei's mod API exposes a settings page each mod can declare. Most mods give you per-feature toggles directly in the Mods menu without restarting.
• Klei patches occasionally break mods. Updates are frequent (DST is still actively developed). Most popular mods auto-update via Workshop within days.