Modding Silksong Made Simple: Step-by-Step for Every OS

Last Updated on 23 January, 2026

Ascend through the haunted kingdom of Pharloom with full control over your experience as Hornet. This guide dissolves the complexity of installing mods on Windows, Mac, and Linux so you can customize your journey to the shining Citadel. We provide clear, step-by-step instructions to get you modding in minutes using the best tools available. You will unlock new ways to play and conquer the challenges of silk and song.

Getting Started: The Modding Landscape

Modding Silksong is a surprisingly straightforward process. You have several paths to choose from depending on your operating system and your comfort level with file management. The community primarily relies on BepInEx for Silksong mod loading. You can handle this manually or utilize mod managers to automate the process.

We highly recommend using r2modman for both Windows and Linux users. It offers a comprehensible interface and comes recommended by the Hollow Knight Modding Discord. Alternatively, Nexus users might prefer Vortex. For Mac users, a tool called Gib provides an excellent automated solution. There is also a mod installer called Cogfly currently in testing within the Discord community. We will not cover Cogfly in depth here as it is still in development, but it is worth keeping an eye on for the future.

Please note that while the Windows section of this guide comes from direct experience, the Linux and Mac sections rely on careful research. We have structured these instructions to be as clear as possible.

Windows Modding Guide

Windows users have the most robust set of options for installing mods. So, we have broken this down into three distinct methods. Most users should stick to the first method for the smoothest experience.

Method 1: r2modman (Recommended)

The r2modman manager is the gold standard for Silksong modding. It is incredibly easy to use and keeps your game files clean. Do not let the length of this section worry you. We have detailed every single step to ensure you never feel lost, but the process is actually quite fast.

Downloading and Installing r2modman

You first need to acquire the software. Navigate to the official Thunderstore website and search for r2modman. You must select the “Manual Download” option. This action saves a .zip file to your computer. Extract this file to any location you prefer. Inside the extracted folder, you will find a file named r2modman-setup-(version).exe. Select this executable to begin.

The installer will load and present you with installation options. If you wish to install the software for all users on your PC, you must right click the installer and choose “Run as administrator.” Once you select your preference, press “Next.” You can then choose a specific install path or stick with the default. Press “Install” to proceed. When the process completes, click “Finish.” The program should open automatically if you selected that option. If not, look for the desktop shortcut or navigate to your installation folder. This is typically located at C:\Users\[User]\AppData\Local\Programs\r2modman\r2modman.exe. Remember that the AppData folder is hidden by default, but you can access it by typing %appdata% into your Windows search bar.

Setting Up the Profile

Open r2modman and use the search bar to find Silksong. We strongly recommend you favorite it for easy access in the future. Click “Select game” and choose the Steam option. The software will perform a quick setup. Next, you must create a profile. You can name this “Default” or anything else you like. Select your new profile to enter the main menu.

Managing Your Mods

The r2modman interface offers several key features:

1. Start Modded: This button launches the game with your active mod list.
2. Start Vanilla: This launches the standard game with no mods enabled.
3. Online: This tab is your gateway to new content. You can view mod names, creators, descriptions, and download counts here. The “Download” button automatically installs the mod and any necessary dependencies to your “Installed” section. The “View Online” button opens the mod’s webpage for more details.
4. Installed: This section lists everything currently in your load order. You can update, disable, or remove mods here.
5. Config Editor: You can tweak mod settings directly through this menu. A similar result is achievable through the BepInExConfigurationManager.

Settings and Advanced Features

The Settings tab contains powerful tools. You can access your mod folders directly or manage your cache. There are also options for large mod usage such as disabling all mods or sharing mod packs.

Method 2: Manual Installation

Manual installation offers a slightly higher degree of compatibility for certain niche mods. Manually installing supports mods just a bit better for some reason, so some only work this way. However, it requires more effort to maintain in the long run.

Installing BepInEx
You need the core loader first. Download BepInEx from Thunderstore or Nexus Mods. If you use Thunderstore, ensure you grab the files from the BepInExpack folder inside the download, not just the root files like the icon.

Navigate to your Silksong installation folder. You can find this easily by right clicking the game in your Steam library, selecting “Manage,” and clicking “Browse local files.” You should see Hollow Knight Silksong.exe. Copy the extracted BepInEx files directly into this folder. Launch the game once and wait on the home screen for a few seconds. This initializes the loader. Exit the game to continue.

Installing Specific Mods
Find a mod you wish to play on Thunderstore or Nexus and download it manually. You will receive a zip file containing a .dll file. Return to your Silksong game folder and open the BepInEx folder. Inside, you will find a folder named plugins. Move the mod’s .dll and any other included files into this plugins folder. The mod will be active the next time you launch the game.

Method 3: Vortex Mod Manager

Vortex is the primary manager for Nexus Mods users. It requires a Nexus account to function. I prefer r2modman over Vortex mainly because it is easier to use, faster, has fewer ads, and requires no account. However, Vortex remains a viable option.

Installation and Setup
Download the latest version of Vortex from Nexus Mods using the “Manual Download” option. Open the installer executable. You may need to grant administrator access. Follow the prompts to install and run the program.

Once Vortex opens, navigate to the “Games” tab on the right side. Search for Silksong and select it. Vortex will ask you to log in to your Nexus account to authorize the download. Accept any prompts for administrator access or BepInEx installation during this setup phase.

Downloading Mods with Vortex
Locate the Silksong section in the side menu. Click “Get More Mods” to visit the Nexus Silksong page. You can also view all available mods by clicking the word “Mods” next to the game’s cover picture.

When browsing, look for a checkmark in the top left corner of a mod card. This indicates you have it installed. To add a new mod, click the “Vortex” button in the download section of the mod page. This triggers the download within the application. Open Vortex when prompted. Once the download finishes, you can launch the game using the “Launch” button in the top left corner of the Vortex interface.

Linux Modding Guide

Modding on Linux presents unique challenges. However, the community has established reliable methods to get you playing. Please note that the Linux section does not include Vortex as no perfect method has been made yet.

Method 1: r2modman (Recommended)

Just as on Windows, r2modman provides the best experience for Linux users. We recommend using r2modman because of how comprehensible it is.

Prerequisites

You must first enable Proton on Steam. Navigate to Steam Settings > Compatibility and check the box that says “Enable Steam Play for all titles.”

Installation

Download the latest release of r2modman from its official GitHub page. The AppImage format generally works best. Once you have the file, you must make it executable. Open your terminal and run the following command:

chmod +x (Name of file).AppImage

You can then run the application with the no-sandbox parameter:

./(Name of file).AppImage --no-sandbox

Usage

The process for selecting Silksong, creating a profile, and installing mods mirrors the Windows version exactly. Use the “Online” tab to find mods and the “Start Modded” button to play. If a mod is incompatible with Thunderstore’s install method, you may need to install BepInEx manually.

Method 2: Manual Installation

This method is currently a work in progress within the community but supports mods effectively. Manual installing supports mods a bit better for some reason, making it the only option for some specific mods.

Configuring Steam

You must force the game to use the Windows version so that Proton functions correctly. Open the game properties in Steam, go to Compatibility, and check “Force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool.” You may want to use GE-Proton-10.

Next, navigate to the “General” settings tab. Enter the following line exactly into the Launch Options:

WINEDLLOVERRIDES="winhttp=n,b" %command%

Installing BepInEx and Mods

Download BepInEx from GitHub. Open your Silksong local files via Steam (Manage > Browse local files). Extract the downloaded BepInEx files directly into this directory. Launch the game and let it sit on the home screen for a few seconds to initialize before closing it.

To install mods, download them manually from Thunderstore or Nexus. Extract the zip file to find the .dll file. Move all extracted files into the BepInEx/plugins folder inside your game directory.

Mac Modding Guide

Mac users have two distinct paths. You can use a terminal-based automation tool or configure the files manually. I do not have access to a Mac PC, so I have linked tools that allow you to follow their specific instructions.

Method 1: Gib (Recommended)

Gib is a TUI (Text User Interface) application designed to automate the installation of BepInEx on Mac. It seems to be simpler than manually configuring everything and probably works better.

Setting Up Gib
Open your terminal via Launchpad or Spotlight. Enter the following command to install Gib:

curl -fsSL https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/toebeann/gib/gib.sh | bash

Once installed, you can run the tool at any time by simply typing gib.

Installing BepInEx and Mods
Download the BepInEx zip file from Thunderstore or Nexus. Extract it into your Downloads folder. Open the Finder window for the BepInEx folder and leave it open.

Return to your terminal and run the install command again:

curl -fsSL https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/toebeann/gib/gib.sh | bash

Gib will guide you through the setup steps. To install mods, download them manually. Move the .dll files and other assets from the mod’s zip file into the plugins folder located inside your BepInEx directory.

Method 2: Manual Installation

This method requires precise terminal commands. This section would not have been possible without the community guide originally designed for Valheim, adapted here for Silksong.

Setting Up BepInEx
Download BepInEx from Thunderstore. Locate your game files via Steam (Manage > Browse local files). Copy the files from BepInExpack into your game directory.

You must now configure the script. Open run_BepInEx.sh in a text editor. Locate the line executable_name="" and change it to:

executable_name="Hollow Knight Silksong.app"

Next, open your terminal. Ensure you run it in Intel mode if necessary, and use “Open with Rosetta” for the terminal app itself if prompted. Navigate to the game folder by entering:

cd ~/Library/Application\ Support/Steam/steamapps/common/Hollow Knight Silksong

Verify you are in the right place by typing ls -l. You should see BepInEx, libdoorstop.dylib, run_bepinex.sh, and Hollow Knight Silksong.app listed.

Make the script executable by running:

chmod 775 run_bepinex.sh

Now run the script with the console flag:

./run_bepinex.sh -console

If the game crashes, try sh run_bepinex.sh -console.

Final Configuration
Close the game. Navigate to BepInEx/config and open BepInEx.cfg. Find the section labeled [Application] and look for Type = Application. Change this to:

Type = GameObject

Launch the game again using the script command. You can now install mods by dragging their .dll files into the BepInEx/plugins folder.

Must-Try Silksong Mods

Now that you have set up your mod loader, you need some content. Here are some of the best mods currently available. I cannot verify that all mods will work for Mac and Linux, but they are highly recommended.

1. Debug Mod and ModList

The speedrunning community developed these essential tools. Debug Mod functions similarly to the one in Hollow Knight. If you have ever used HK’s debug mod, you know it is easily the best mod ever. It allows you to do many things with the game state. ModList simply displays your active mods in the top left corner of the screen. Note that ModList requires Debug Mod to function.
Availability: Thunderstore, Nexus (ModList is Thunderstore only).

2. SSMP (Silksong Multiplayer)

This stands as one of my favorite Silksong mods. SSMP connects two players’ games seamlessly. While it does not sync enemy positions or story progress perfectly, it allows you to see and interact with things in the other player’s game. It is an incredible way to experience Pharloom with a friend. You can find hosting guides and support on the HKMP Discord server.
Availability: Thunderstore.

3. Pantheon of Pharloom

This mod is perfect for players looking to refine their combat skills or as a tool to fight modded bosses. It offers a comprehensive boss practice tool. You can toggle options like nail level and “cursed” bindings similar to previous games. The mod features an intuitive interface that lets you set up Boss Rushes or fight individual bosses on Attuned, Ascended, or Radiant difficulties. Note that this mod does not save game progress.
Availability: Thunderstore.

4. ShowDamage HealthBar

This is a straightforward utility mod. It adds a visible health bar to all enemies and bosses. It is excellent for learning enemy health pools or just tracking how close you are to victory.
Availability: Thunderstore.

5. KnightInSilksong

This fun mod implements the Knight from Hollow Knight into Silksong. You can toggle between Hornet and the Knight with the press of a button. It can be a bit buggy, but it is extremely fun to play with.
Availability: Thunderstore, Nexus.

Conclusion and Support

Your deadly pilgrimage through the land of silk and song does not have to end when the credits roll. We have equipped you with every method needed to install mods and expand your adventure indefinitely. Start your modded journey today and reshape Pharloom to your will.

Remember that modding is a community effort. So, if you encounter errors or need help troubleshooting specific issues, the Hollow Knight Modding Discord is your best resource. The community there is active and helpful. We hope this guide helps you customize your journey through Pharloom. Happy modding!