Install Garry’s Mod from its Steam library page, then start a solo map with Start New Game. You do not need another Source game to install or begin a basic session; some multiplayer servers and modes may require other games. Start without addons, learn the two main menus, and add Workshop content later if you want it.
Check the current system requirements
Garry’s Mod is installed and launched through Steam. Check the live Garry’s Mod Steam listing for requirements for your operating system before installing; Steam publishes separate entries for Windows, macOS, and SteamOS/Linux. The Windows figures below are the requirements shown on the listing checked October 4, 2026, and may change.
| Windows requirement | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 10 | Windows 10/11 |
| Processor | 2 GHz | 2.5 GHz |
| Memory | 4 GB RAM | 8 GB RAM |
| Graphics | 1 GB dedicated VRAM | 4 GB dedicated VRAM |
| DirectX | 9.0c | not stated (Steam listing checked October 4, 2026) |
| Internet | Broadband internet | not stated (Steam listing checked October 4, 2026) |
| Available storage | 10 GB | 25 GB |
The Steam listing also cautions: “Some multiplayer servers and game-modes might require you to own other games – such as Counter-Strike: Source and Team Fortress 2.” This concerns some multiplayer servers and modes, not the basic Garry’s Mod installation or a solo sandbox session.
Install and launch through Steam
- Open Garry’s Mod in the Steam store and add or purchase it if it is not already in your library.
- In the Steam client, open your Library, select Garry’s Mod, and choose the install option shown by your client. The exact screen and wording can vary by operating system and client version.
- Let Steam finish installing the game, then launch it from the Library. Facepunch’s Quick Start describes the Main Menu as the next step.
Start your first solo sandbox session
- From the Main Menu, choose Start New Game.
- Select an installed map, then choose Start Game. Facepunch documents gm_flatgrass as the default if you start without selecting a map.
- You will enter the map alone holding the Physics Gun. Facepunch’s Quick Start suggests opening the Spawn Menu as a good first step.
Use Q for the Spawn Menu
Hold Q to open the Spawn Menu. It provides props, NPCs, weapons, entities, and tools; click an item to spawn it. Opening the menu gives you a cursor temporarily so you can select items.
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Use C for the Context Menu
Hold C to open the Context Menu. It lets you interact with options without changing your view direction, and includes player-model and Physics Gun appearance controls. Q and C are the default bindings, not fixed requirements; you can change key assignments in the game options.
Play vanilla first, then add Workshop content if you want
Addons are optional extensions, not part of the minimum setup for a first session. Facepunch’s addon guide describes content such as vehicles, weapons, models, tools, and NPCs, available through the in-game Addons menu or Steam Workshop. Starting with the base game keeps the first setup straightforward; add content once you know what you want.
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- To manage subscribed content in game, open Addons from the Main Menu.
- Choose Subscriptions to view your subscribed addons.
- Select an addon to install or uninstall it, or enable or disable it.
The Steam store listing describes the Workshop as containing “over 300’000 models, maps, and contraptions to download.” That is Steam’s rounded publisher figure on the page checked October 4, 2026, not an independently audited live count.
Decide whether to start solo or join multiplayer
| Option | What you need to begin | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Solo sandbox | An installed map; choose Start New Game from the Main Menu. | Can begin directly without another Source game. |
| Multiplayer | Choose Find Multiplayer Game from the Main Menu. | Some servers or modes may require other games or additional content; check the server’s requirements. |
The Main Menu also includes Addons and Options. Its Installed Games list shows compatible Steam games and whether they are installed and mounted. Missing a game can affect available content, but does not make that game a universal prerequisite for playing Garry’s Mod.
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If the game will not start
Startup failures can have different causes, so a single fix is not guaranteed. Follow the instructions for your specific error in Facepunch’s startup issues guide. Its suggestions include verifying game files for some problems, using -autoconfig to let Steam configure the game, and using launch options that disable addons or Workshop in certain troubleshooting cases. Remove temporary troubleshooting launch options when they are no longer needed.
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