Workshop and Sandkit · Updated 2026-09-08
Sandustry Mods, Workshop and Sandkit
Find the right Steam branch, understand why a subscribed mod may not load, and open the official Sandkit documentation to start making your own.
Quick answer
Why is my subscribed Sandustry mod not loading?
Workshop mods require a separate experimental Steam branch. As of the September 3 v0.5.6 announcement, the mods branch is on 0.5.6. Match the installed branch to the mod author's supported game/API version; subscribing alone does not establish compatibility.
Check the branch before changing the mod
- Read the Workshop item. Note its required game version, dependencies and last update.
- Check Sandustry's Steam branch. The developer requires an experimental modding branch; the latest reviewed announcement places
modson 0.5.6. - Compare against current information. August 28 instructions saying
modsis on 0.5.2 are historical. Older items may still need their author's migration instructions. - If it still fails, isolate the conflict. Check the author's known issues and test one mod at a time using a separate test save.
Branch status comes from Modding & What's Next and Update #3. Modding remains experimental; these sources do not certify an individual Workshop item.
Where do I start making a Sandustry mod?
Open Sandkit, the developer's modding API documentation. Start with “Mod file structure” and “Mod manifest,” then use the API sections for the feature you want to change.
| File / setting | What the official documentation specifies |
|---|---|
modinfo.json | Required manifest: identity, version, entry point, compatibility and dependencies. |
main.js / worker.js | Main and worker entry points; sandkit is injected into them. |
preview.png | 512 × 512 preview required for a Workshop upload. |
patches.json | Compiled JavaScript patches are sensitive to game updates. |
| Game names vs API IDs | Use the documentation's internal ID mapping; display names can differ. |
This is an orientation to the official reference, not a tested downloadable starter mod. The developer links the official Discord for community discussion.
How are custom maps defined?
Sandkit documents a map.blueprints manifest section. Its example requires terrain.png and shows supporting layers, configuration, dimensions and spawn settings. Follow the current map schema in the official API reference; a Workshop map's description still needs to state which game version it supports.
Use the verified Workshop entry
The Steam store is the identity anchor: it links the Community Hub and Workshop for App ID 2764460. Prefer that route over a copied download button or a third-party archive. Sandustry Tools does not host mod packages, installers or mirrors.
What official material supports
The store describes modding that can range from visual changes and hand-crafted maps to new buildings and processes. That statement confirms scope, not the quality of a particular upload. Features may also depend on the current Early Access build.
Review an item before subscribing
- Confirm the Workshop item belongs to Sandustry App ID 2764460.
- Read the last updated date and required dependencies.
- Check whether the author names a compatible game version.
- Back up any save or map the item could alter.
- Disable items one at a time when diagnosing a crash or changed recipe.
What this page does not verify
No individual mod or map has been approved in the initial site release. Community descriptions are question signals, not authoritative game facts. A future recommendation needs a separate item-level review, current compatibility evidence and a clear removal path.