How to Use SMAPI with Steam for Stardew Valley: A Beginner’s Guide

To use Stardew Valley mods through Steam, install SMAPI, then add the launch-options line from its Windows installer to Stardew Valley’s Steam properties. Starting the game this way lets you use mods while retaining Steam overlay, achievements, and playtime tracking. This guide uses Windows for the detailed steps; macOS, Linux, and Steam Deck users should follow their own platform’s instructions rather than copying Windows launch syntax.

What SMAPI does

SMAPI is Stardew Valley’s mod loader. It starts the game with mod support, loads installed mods, and can show errors, flag compatibility issues, and notify you about updates. It is free and open source. The project currently lists SMAPI 4.5.2, which requires Stardew Valley 1.6.14 or later on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Steam Deck; check the SMAPI homepage for the current release and requirements before installing.

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A mod is a package of files that changes the game. SMAPI provides the framework for loading those packages; it does not make every mod compatible with every game version.

Install SMAPI on Windows and connect it to Steam

1. Run Stardew Valley normally once. This lets the game complete its first-time setup.
2. Download SMAPI from the official SMAPI site. At the time of writing, the listed release is 4.5.2. The version and game requirements can change, so check the site before proceeding.
3. Extract the downloaded ZIP. You can extract it somewhere convenient, such as your Downloads folder.
4. Run install on Windows.bat. Follow the installer prompts. Keep the installer window open when it displays the Steam launch-options line.
5. Copy the entire launch-options line shown by the installer. Preserve the quotation marks around the executable path and the trailing %command%. A typical example is "C:Program Files (x86)SteamsteamappscommonStardew ValleyStardewModdingAPI.exe" %command%. Your Steam library may be in another location, so use your installer’s exact line rather than copying this example blindly.
6. Paste the line into Steam. In your Steam Library, right-click Stardew Valley, choose Properties, and paste it into Launch Options, replacing any existing text.
7. Launch Stardew Valley from Steam. SMAPI should start and load the game with mod support.

For macOS, follow SMAPI’s platform-specific instructions; the project advises Mac users to use the full macOS guide to avoid security warnings. Linux and Steam Deck users should likewise use instructions for their platform, since the Windows batch file and launch syntax do not apply.

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Do mods disable Steam achievements?

No, not when you start SMAPI through Steam using the launch options above. The Windows installation guide says Steam overlay, achievements, and playtime tracking require launching through Steam. Starting StardewModdingAPI.exe directly still launches modded play, but does not provide those Steam features as documented in the guide. See the Windows installation instructions.

If you want separate modded and unmodded buttons in Steam, the Windows guide also describes adding SMAPI as a non-Steam game. That is an optional arrangement; most players can use the normal Stardew Valley entry with launch options.

Where do I put Stardew Valley mods?

Put each mod in its own folder inside the game’s Mods folder. For example, a mod might be installed as Stardew Valley/Mods/PineapplesEverywhere/, with its files and manifest.json inside that folder.

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Extract the mod archive; do not leave the archive itself in Mods. Check the resulting folder nesting: some downloads include a wrapper folder, and the actual mod folder—not just the wrapper or a duplicate folder with a download number appended—needs to sit directly under Mods. The Stardew Valley player guide explains the basic mod installation process.

Check mod compatibility before installing

Read the mod’s own page for its supported Stardew Valley version, dependencies, installation steps, and update or removal instructions. The player guide links to mod sources and a compatibility list, but the list’s own notice says it is no longer comprehensively updated each month and that its future is uncertain. Treat it as a useful lead, then confirm the mod’s recent status on its own page or through current community support.

SMAPI’s release history can also help explain version changes: the release notes say version 4.5.2 was released on March 14, 2026, for Stardew Valley 1.6.14 or later. That patch improved performance and fixed a Linux/macOS installer issue involving color-scheme saving. Version-specific compatibility still depends on the game and the individual mod.

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Why won’t SMAPI launch from Steam?

If Steam reports a missing executable, or the game briefly appears to run and then closes, first verify the launch-options text. It must point to the StardewModdingAPI.exe installed on your computer, include the surrounding quotation marks, and end with %command%. Re-copy the exact line from the installer if needed.

If the game starts but mods do not load, confirm each mod is extracted into its own folder under Mods and check whether the mod supports your game and SMAPI versions. For broader troubleshooting, check your game version, current SMAPI version, and the SMAPI log; update any mods the log identifies as needing updates. The Windows installation guide links to troubleshooting details.

The log parser page explains where to find SMAPI-latest.txt or SMAPI-crash.txt on each platform and can create a shareable parsed log. Before sharing a log publicly, inspect it for personal information. SMAPI’s privacy notes say uploaded log data is retained for 30 days in obfuscated form; the parser stores what users choose to upload.

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Update, temporarily disable, or uninstall SMAPI

Update SMAPI

On Windows, run the new SMAPI installer. The installation instructions say it cleans up the previous version and does not require you to configure Steam again.

Play without mods temporarily

The Windows guide suggests starting the original game executable directly or renaming the Mods folder. Directly starting the original game bypasses the Steam launch-options route for SMAPI.

Uninstall SMAPI

Run the installer and choose the uninstall option, then clear the text in Steam’s Launch Options field so Steam starts the original game normally.

Remove an individual mod

Delete that mod’s folder from Mods, unless the mod page gives special removal instructions. Some mods can affect saves, so keeping periodic save backups is prudent. The player guide says SMAPI creates a daily save backup in Mods/SaveBackup.

What SMAPI’s privacy note does—and does not—cover

SMAPI’s privacy page says, “SMAPI does not collect telemetry, analytics, etc.” It also explains that update checks send basic metadata such as game, SMAPI, and mod versions and platform type. That statement is about SMAPI itself; third-party mods may collect or transmit information and are not covered by the SMAPI privacy page. Review the privacy details and the individual mod’s information if this matters to you.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1

Stardew Valley (Nintendo Switch)

become a part of the local community: get to know all 30+ residents of Pelican town!

$33.99

Bestseller No. 2

Stardew Valley - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]

$14.89

Bestseller No. 3

Stardew Valley [Nintendo Switch - Standard Edition]

$32.69

Bestseller No. 4

Untitled Goose Game - Nintendo Switch

Physical Edition of the Game; The Spring/Summer Plaza Catalog, a 24-page mail-order style circular

$23.29

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.