Getting Started with Cyberpunk 2077 Modding
REDmod, CET, Redscript, ArchiveXL + TweakXL, and the framework-first install order
Cyberpunk 2077 modding combines an official CDPR tool (REDmod) with a community-built script-injection stack (Cyber Engine Tweaks, Redscript). The combination gives modders deep access to both content and gameplay logic. Setup is more involved than most games — you're installing 4-5 framework dependencies before any actual content mod.
This guide walks the standard install on current CP2077 (2.x patch series, Phantom Liberty expansion present).
Step 1 — Install REDmod (if not already)
REDmod is CDPR's official mod tool. Available as a free download from your game's launcher (GOG Galaxy: optional component check; Steam: free DLC).
Install REDmod. Confirm it's enabled in your game's properties.
After install, your game has a tools/redmod/ folder containing CDPR's command-line tools (used by mod authors more than players).
Step 2 — Install Cyber Engine Tweaks
Cyber Engine Tweaks (CET) is the community Lua script-injection runtime. Most code-based mods depend on it.
Download the latest release. Extract to your CP2077 install directory; the loader is bin/x64/version.dll.
Launch CP2077. CET adds a console window (toggle with ~) for in-game scripting.
Step 3 — Install Redscript
Redscript is a community-built language and compiler for modifying CP2077's REDscript code (the game's internal scripting layer). Many gameplay mods use it.
Extract the Redscript files into your CP2077 install directory. It hooks into REDscript compilation.
Step 4 — Install ArchiveXL and TweakXL
Two framework mods most content mods depend on:
Install per their respective READMEs. Both are framework-tier — they don't add content but enable content mods.
Step 5 — Install your first content mods
Three popular first picks:
- Always First Equip — minor but universal QoL. Equipped weapons show first-person animations on every equip, not just the first.
- Better Vehicle Handling / Vehicle Categories Reborn — handling and UI improvements for the driving system.
- Nova City Lights — visual mod making Night City's lights more atmospheric.
Download from Nexus Mods. Most modern CP2077 mods declare their dependency stack clearly — ArchiveXL, TweakXL, CET, Redscript versions.
Step 6 — Manage with Vortex (optional but recommended)
Manual install works but Vortex (from Nexus Mods) handles the dependency tracking, conflict detection, and load order more cleanly. Configure Vortex for CP2077, install mods through it.
Common gotchas
- Patch broke mods. CP2077 patches frequently. Most popular mods are updated within a week or two; some smaller ones may not catch up.
- Mod requires CET version X. Update CET; the version-locking is strict.
- Mod loaded but no effect. Often a missing dependency (ArchiveXL or TweakXL). Re-check the mod's required-dependencies list.
- Phantom Liberty expansion broke a pre-PL mod. Some mods only support pre-PL versions. The mod's Nexus page should specify.
- Game crashes on launch. Almost always a CET version mismatch or a broken DLL. Disable CET, test, re-enable and re-update.
CP2077's modding setup is genuinely more involved than most games. The payoff is depth — Redscript modding gives access to game logic in ways most modding scenes can't match. But expect a 30-60 minute install on a clean game.