How to Add Mods to your ArmA Reforger Server

ArmA Reforger has a strong modding community, and one of the biggest advantages for server owners is how simple mod installation can be when you use the game’s built-in system. Instead of manually managing files or complicated launch parameters, the game provides a JSON output that contains the exact mod and dependency information your server needs.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to find the mod JSON in-game, understand what it does, and place it into your server configuration so your server can load the selected mods correctly.

How mod installation works in ArmA Reforger

When you subscribe to a mod in the Workshop and open its information panel, ArmA Reforger can generate a JSON string that includes the mod IDs and any required dependencies. This is what makes the process so convenient: the server can read that JSON and automatically load the correct content without requiring you to build the configuration manually.

The most important thing to remember is that the JSON must include every mod you want the server to use, along with any prerequisites. If a mod depends on another package and that dependency is missing, the server may fail to start properly or the content may not appear in game.

Step 1: Open the Workshop and choose your mods

Launch ArmA Reforger and go to the Workshop section from the main menu. Browse the available content and download the mods you want to run on your server. Make sure to install not only the main mod, but also any required dependencies listed by the creator. These prerequisites are just as important as the mod itself.

After the download finishes, the mod will appear in your local mod list and can be used to generate the correct server configuration.

Once the mod is installed, open its details and look for the puzzle icon in the top-right corner. This is the section that provides the technical information for loading the mod on a server. Switch to the JSON tab and copy the full JSON string to your clipboard.

This JSON is the key part of the setup. It tells the server which mod to load and which dependencies must be included alongside it. Be sure to copy the entire string exactly as it appears, with no missing characters.

Step 3: Add the JSON to your server configuration

Next, open your server panel and go to the game settings section where mod loading is configured. Find the field labeled Load Mods and paste the copied JSON directly into that box. This is usually the only server-side step needed for mod installation in ArmA Reforger.

After pasting the JSON, save the configuration so the server can read the updated mod list. If you are adding multiple mods, make sure the JSON includes every selected mod in one complete configuration.

Step 4: Restart the server and verify the mods

After saving your changes, restart the server so the new mod configuration can take effect. Once the server is online again, join it from the game and check that the mods are active and working as expected.

If a mod does not load correctly, the most common causes are missing dependencies, an incomplete JSON string, or a mod that was not downloaded properly. Recopying the JSON and verifying the Workshop installation usually fixes the issue.

Conclusion

Installing mods on an ArmA Reforger server is straightforward once you understand the built-in JSON system. Download the mod, copy the JSON from the puzzle menu, paste it into the Load Mods field, and restart the server. With the correct dependencies included, your server will be ready to run custom content quickly and reliably.