Manual Installation Guide

📂 Docs / Start / Manual Install

Last updated: 2025-08-10 Applies to Stardew Valley: 1.6.15+

📖 This guide will be available right on the Nexus Collection page soon!

We recommend Vortex Mod Manager for most players because it automatically applies the correct configuration files, manages mod order, and makes updates easy. However, if you prefer to handle installation manually, or are playing on systems without Vortex support, follow this guide.

Check Collection Update Date

Before downloading any mods, check the last update date for the collection: svVe Collection Changelog

Important: Do not download mods released after the collection's last update date — they may not be compatible and could cause instability.

Step 1 — Download the Mods

  1. Visit the Stardew Valley VERY Expanded collection page.

  2. Open the Mods tab.

  3. Download each mod manually from its individual Nexus page (mouse-over the mod, click "Read more").

  4. Place all mod folders into your Stardew Valley/Mods/ directory.

On Windows: %appdata%/StardewValley/Mods On Mac: ~/.config/StardewValley/Mods On Linux: ~/.local/share/StardewValley/Mods

Step 2 — Apply Configuration Files

Download the official configuration package: svVe Configuration Files on Nexus

This page includes configurations for:

  • Stardew Valley VERY Expanded

  • Aesthetic Valley | Fairycore

  • Aesthetic Valley | Witchcore

  • Shared configurations used across collections

Tip: Use CTRL+F and search "AVF" or "AVW" if installing an Aesthetic Valley!

Extract the 7zip files using 7-Zip (Windows) or The Unarchiver (Mac), then merge the configuration files into the Mods/ folders they match. On Mac, use Option + drag to merge folders.

You can modify settings later in-game via Generic Mod Configuration Menu (GMCM).

Step 3 — Apply Required Patches

For Stardew Valley VERY Expanded and Aesthetic Valley | Witchcore installations:

For Witchcore installations only:

Step 4 — Aesthetic Valley Compatibility Files

If installing Fairycore or Witchcore, make sure to also download and install the appropriate compatibility files for the UI mod included in that collection.

For Fairycore installations:

  • Overgrown Flowery Interface: Download compatibility files from Overgrown Flowery Interface optional files for:

    • Event Lookup

    • Fashion Sense

    • Generic Mod Config Menu

    • Never Ending Adventures & Circle of Thorns (rename folder to match Sword & Sorcery)

For Witchcore installations:

Manual hair.json fix for Fairycore and Witchcore:

  • Copy the contents of the hair.json file in folder 111 into [FS] Yomi's Golden Princess Hairstyle\Hairs\112

  • Open that file in Notepad++ and change the name at the top from 111 to 112

  • There's a hidden character in the file preventing it from working, so this manual edit is necessary.

Step 5 — Launch with SMAPI

  1. Install SMAPI: Official SMAPI Guide

  2. Launch the game using the SMAPI executable.

  3. Check the SMAPI console for errors — if you see missing mods, review the Mods tab on the website to verify all were installed.

Step 6 — Update Notices in SMAPI

Some mods may show an update notification in SMAPI even when no update is actually needed. If you wish to suppress the notice, edit the mod's manifest.json and set the "Version" to match the version shown on Nexus.

Quick Links

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