# Modpacks and Profiles

{% hint style="info" %}
This wiki page shows instructions for using modpacks and profiles with [Thunderstore Mod Manager](https://get.thunderstore.io/)
{% endhint %}

## Should I make a modpack or a profile?

**Profiles** are made up of a list of mods and configs for those mods. In most cases, profiles are faster and easier to make and use than modpacks. **Use a profile if:**

* You just want to share the same mods and settings with your friends.

**Modpacks** are packages uploaded to Thunderstore with the `modpack`category. They contain a list of mods as [dependency strings](https://wiki.thunderstore.io/#dependencies) in the [manifest.json](https://wiki.thunderstore.io/#manifest-1) file and configs for those mods. Modpacks can also contain additional files (even entire mods). **Use a modpack if:**

* You plan on updating your mod list or settings regularly, such as for a dedicated server.
* You want your mod list and settings to be publicly available on the Thunderstore site.

## How do I create a Profile?

Click the Share button or go to `Settings -> Profile -> Export profile as code` to generate and profile code and copy it to your clipboard.

<figure><img src="https://647148726-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F6knfQnTz0CipH0b96qdV%2Fuploads%2FvTD9H8UTvievyjoN6pS6%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=d1235ac2-14b9-4f57-ab4c-4a690c9b5195" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://647148726-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F6knfQnTz0CipH0b96qdV%2Fuploads%2F8mu3HnDAluisKgRGi9qa%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=bc840da2-f741-44fa-ba81-2634fb861150" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Share this code using Steam, Discord, or any other text app. Importing a profile from this code will download the profile's mods and configs.&#x20;

## How do I import a Profile?

Profiles can be imported by code or file in the mod manager.

<figure><img src="https://647148726-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F6knfQnTz0CipH0b96qdV%2Fuploads%2Fuwg9TOua0d5erZS5U2iY%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=b6e3d7fd-47b9-4743-a2ef-905d94a9f28c" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://647148726-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F6knfQnTz0CipH0b96qdV%2Fuploads%2Fm1TEIQOqlSu8zMpe9twf%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=9cf3f190-6318-4113-ae5a-12d587a01fdc" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## How do I create a Modpack?

Modpacks use the same format as any package on Thunderstore. See [Creating a Package](https://wiki.thunderstore.io/creating-a-package/) for instructions on how to properly format a package.

To add mods to your modpack, you need to add the **dependency string** for each mod to your `manifest.json` file. You can find the dependency string for a package on its page on the Thunderstore website or by using the "Show dependency strings" option in the mod manager Settings.&#x20;

<figure><img src="https://647148726-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F6knfQnTz0CipH0b96qdV%2Fuploads%2FxtS4lQiK1XGfz4bZXlwH%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=cbcd59b2-ffe3-4b66-a8b4-9d0336b5faed" alt=""><figcaption><p>Make sure you download the mods you want to your profile first.</p></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://647148726-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F6knfQnTz0CipH0b96qdV%2Fuploads%2FNO5dTqhMB4geAw5Zs1lD%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=5e10ecfe-5440-473c-80f6-eddd9f3d1858" alt=""><figcaption><p>Transfer the dependency strings to your manifest.json file. You can use the <a href="https://thunderstore.io/tools/manifest-v1-validator/">Manifest Validator</a> to make sure you formatted it correctly.</p></figcaption></figure>

In most cases, you'll also want your configs for each mod as well. In the mod manager Settings, select "Browse profile folder" which should open a new window like the one below.

<figure><img src="https://647148726-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F6knfQnTz0CipH0b96qdV%2Fuploads%2FpQbnYQPhOSzZG86RuNcM%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=eb799251-a208-43fc-b9b2-209c5eac8daa" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Open the `BepInEx` folder and find your `config` folder.

<figure><img src="https://647148726-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F6knfQnTz0CipH0b96qdV%2Fuploads%2FAg7djEgnAH9nr31ZCNKN%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=eb89f88b-f0e2-4788-81cc-66f6b98e06c8" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Copy just the `config` folder into your package. Do not copy the `core` or `plugins` folders, modpacks usually don't contain any actual code or assets themselves.

<figure><img src="https://647148726-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F6knfQnTz0CipH0b96qdV%2Fuploads%2F7xj0et5AYudb11gT9BEU%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=df04490a-35d0-4435-bf65-6b67f522766b" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Zip up your files and [upload](https://thunderstore.io/package/create/) the zip to Thunderstore.

{% file src="<https://647148726-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F6knfQnTz0CipH0b96qdV%2Fuploads%2FnIe3phexDKn8hZSUE7Bn%2FMyModpack.zip?alt=media&token=2fec10a8-2b6d-4683-9b65-5ed5115c16ab>" %}
Example modpack for the Lethal Company community from the tutorial above
{% endfile %}