Getting Started with GTA V Modding

GTA V modding has a single non-negotiable rule before anything else: modded GTA V cannot launch GTA Online. Rockstar bans for online mod use are real. Either maintain a separate offline-only install, or always use the "Launch GTA V (offline)" option from the Rockstar Launcher.

With that out of the way, this guide walks the standard install on the PC version.

Step 1 — Decide: dedicated modded install vs offline launch

Two paths to safely mod GTA V:

Path A — Separate install

Copy your GTA V install folder to a second location. Mod the copy. Launch the copy via its own executable (not through Rockstar Launcher). Keep the original install untouched for online play.

Path B — Offline-only launch on the same install

Mod your single install. Always launch via Rockstar Launcher's "Play GTA V" with the "Story Mode" or offline option. Never launch the online version while mods are present.

Path A is safer (no risk of accidentally launching online). Path B is faster to set up but requires discipline.

Step 2 — Install Script Hook V

Script Hook V by Alexander Blade is the runtime extension every modern GTA V mod runs through.

Download. Extract ScriptHookV.dll, dinput8.dll, and the NativeTrainer.asi (optional cheat trainer) into your GTA V install directory.

Launch GTA V (single player). Script Hook V loads alongside. The optional trainer is accessible via F4.

Step 3 — Install Script Hook V .NET

If you want to install .NET-based mods (most modern ones), download Script Hook V .NET from the same source.

Extract its files into your GTA V install. A scripts/ folder is created — drop .dll mods (Script Hook V .NET mods) here.

Step 4 — Install OpenIV

OpenIV is the asset editor. Required for texture and model mods.

Download, install. OpenIV detects your GTA V install automatically. When you launch OpenIV the first time, agree to put the game into modding mode — this is reversible.

Step 5 — Install your first mods

Three popular first picks:

Menyoo PC — comprehensive trainer with extensive in-game options. Quality-of-life for offline play.
VisualV — visual overhaul: lighting, weather, post-processing.
NaturalVision Evolved — major graphical overhaul (extremely heavy on VRAM, not for low-end PCs).

Install per each mod's README. The most common pattern: download archive, extract specific files to GTA V install or scripts/ folder.

Step 6 — Asset mods via OpenIV

For texture or vehicle replacements:

Download the mod (typically .rpf files or loose textures).
Open OpenIV; navigate to the target RPF (e.g. mods/x64w.rpf/dlcpacks/).
Drop the new files in. OpenIV repacks the RPF.
Launch GTA V (offline).

OpenIV's "mods/" folder system isolates modifications from vanilla files — uninstalling reverts to original.

Common gotchas

Game crashes on launch. Script Hook V version mismatch (usually after a Rockstar update). Wait for Alexander Blade to release an updated build.
Script Hook V .NET mod doesn't load. Confirm the mod is in scripts/, not in the root directory. Both Script Hook V and Script Hook V .NET are required for .NET mods.
Vehicle mod looks wrong. Often a vehicle texture conflict or missing dependency mod. Read the vehicle mod's README.
Asset mod permanently changed game. OpenIV's "mods/" folder system should isolate this. If you bypassed it, manually restore the affected RPFs from a vanilla backup.
GTA Online ban. Hopefully avoided by following the rules above.

GTA V modding is one of the deepest single-player modding scenes in PC gaming, but Rockstar's online-mod stance makes the risk profile unique. Modders maintain disciplined practices for a reason.