Personalization & Custom Configurations
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Last updated: 2025-08-10 Applies to Stardew Valley: 1.6.15+
This guide covers how to personalize your Stardew Valley experience with custom configurations and settings that persist through updates.
Overview
Personalization allows you to customize your game experience while maintaining compatibility with collection updates. This includes:
Custom mod configurations (settings, keybinds, etc.)
Personal mod additions
UI and visual preferences
Gameplay tweaks and adjustments
Personal Customizations and Patches
Use the Add Custom Mod Button Vortex extension to create persistent customizations and patches that always load after your main mods:
Creating Personal Customizations
Step 1: Configure Your Settings
Configure mods as desired in-game (GMCM recommended)
Test your settings to ensure they work as expected
Step 2: Create Custom Config Mod
In Vortex, click Create new mod via the Add Custom Mod Button
Name it something like "My Configs" or "Personal Settings"
Step 3: Copy Configuration Files
Navigate to your Stardew Valley Mods folder
Find the mods you've customized
Copy the entire mod folders into your "My Configs" mod folder
Delete everything inside except your config files (usually
config.json)
Step 4: Set Load Order
In Vortex → Mods → Manage Rules
Set "My Configs" to load after the mods it's overriding
Click Deploy
Creating Patches and Local Mods
The same process can be used to create persistent patches and minor local mods:
Create a custom mod using the Add Custom Mod Button
Add your custom files, patches, or other mods
Set the load order to ensure your changes take priority
Your customizations will persist through updates
This method ensures your personal settings and mods are reapplied automatically, even after collection updates.
Adding Additional Mods
Installing Mods from Nexus
There are two ways to add mods from Nexus Mods:
Method 1: Mod Manager Button (Recommended)
Go to the mod's files page on Nexus Mods
Click the "Mod Manager" button to download directly to Vortex
Follow the installation prompts in Vortex
Method 2: Manual Download
Click the "Manual" button on the mod's files page
Download the ZIP file to your computer
Go to Vortex Mods page and drag the ZIP file onto the drop zone
Follow the installation prompts
Creating a Private Collection
If you add mods, it's recommended to create a private collection that contains only the mods you've added. This way you can easily reinstall or redeploy them to a new profile after updating:
Create an empty collection in Vortex
Right-click "Add to Collection" on each mod in the Mods page
Upload to Nexus' server from the Workshop section of the Collection tab and keep it updated for future downloads
Share the private link with friends Note: You can share your collection with friends using the private link without making it public. Keeping personal collections private is recommended.
Modifying Mods
Some mods you add may require restructuring to work within Vortex:
Making Structural Changes
Right-click on the mod in Vortex
Select "Open in File Manager" to access the Staging folder
Adjust the mod's folder structure as needed
Do not modify the top-level folder (with the numeric string)
Click "Deploy" in Vortex to apply your changes
Collection Settings for Modified Mods
Set to "Exact" and "Replicate" in your private collection if you modify a mod's folder structure
Use "Binary Patch" for minor content modifications (but you cannot use both methods simultaneously)
Best Practices
Read mod pages carefully for compatibility notes
Test one mod at a time when adding multiple mods
Keep backups of working configurations before updating
Document your setup for easy recreation
Test thoroughly after making any modifications
In-Game Configuration
Generic Mod Config Menu (GMCM)
Most mods support the Generic Mod Config Menu for easy in-game configuration:
Access GMCM through the game's settings menu (⚙️)
Browse available mods and their settings
Make changes and they'll be saved automatically
Test changes before finalizing your setup
Manual Configuration
Some mods require manual file editing:
Locate the mod's config file (usually
config.json)Edit with a text editor (Notepad++ recommended)
Follow the mod's documentation for proper syntax
Backup using the method above
Delete and reload Stardew to create a fresh config if you need to start over
Maintaining Personalizations
Before Updates
Back up your save files - It's recommended to create a backup of your Stardew Valley saves before updating. See the Stardew Valley Wiki Saves page for detailed instructions on locating and backing up your save files
Back up your custom configs (they're already protected if using the Custom Config Mod method)
After Updates
Check that all mods are enabled in Vortex
Verify your custom settings are still active
Test before continuing your save
Lost Settings
Restore from backup if you have one
Reconfigure manually using GMCM or text editors
Check if official folder names changed and updated your customizations to match
Troubleshooting Personalizations
Settings Not Applying
Check load order - custom configs must load after the mods they're overriding. This is done with "Manage Rules".
Verify file paths - ensure config files are placed in a folder structure that matches the mod they alter.
Tips & Best Practices
Organization
Use descriptive names for your custom mods (Config for X Mod, My Configs, Patches, etc)
Group related settings together
Keep documentation of your changes
Compatibility
Test with collection updates before committing to changes
Read mod compatibility notes carefully
Avoid conflicting mods when possible
Backup Strategy
Regular backups of your Mods folder
Version control for your custom configs
Documentation of your setup process
Quick Links
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