How to install addons on a Garry's Mod server?

Addons are what make Garry's Mod so rich: weapons, DarkRP jobs, maps, tools, HUD. On a server, they're mainly installed via the Steam Workshop, with a clean method that distributes them to players automatically. Here's how to go about it.

Recommended method: the Workshop collection

1. Create a collection

On Garry's Mod's Steam Workshop, create a collection and add all the addons you want. Note the collection's identifier in its URL: that's what will link your addons to the server.

2. Link the collection to the server

Add the +host_workshop_collection ID parameter to the server's launch line. On startup, SRCDS automatically downloads the addons, and players get them when they connect.

3. Fill in workshop.lua (optional)

To force certain content, list the addon IDs in garrysmod/lua/autorun/server/workshop.lua with resource.AddWorkshop("ID"). Useful to guarantee the download on the client side.

Manual method: the /addons folder

You can also drop an extracted addon into garrysmod/addons/mon_addon/ (via WebFTP or the panel's file explorer), then restart the server. Each addon keeps its folder structure. It's handy for addons not published on the Workshop.

Install addons gradually and restart at each step: an incompatible addon can prevent the server from starting. If there's a problem, remove the last one you added.

Do it in 1 click

The FlyPanel panel on our Garry's Mod servers lets you paste your Workshop collection ID and upload manual addons without touching the launch line. A real time-saver when you're running a loaded DarkRP server. To get your RP off to a good start, also see How to create a Garry's Mod DarkRP server. Our plans, powered by Ryzen 9 7950X3D with Anti-DDoS included, start at €2.99/month on the Garry's Mod hosting page.