Getting Started with Kerbal Space Program 2 Modding
BepInEx IL2CPP, SpaceWarp, manual install, and an honest comparison with KSP 1
Kerbal Space Program 2 modding is community-built on top of a game with uncertain official support. The toolchain works but is far less polished than KSP 1's CKAN-driven ecosystem. If you're new to KSP modding generally and KSP 1 is also an option, consider whether KSP 1's mature mod scene serves you better.
This guide walks the standard install on current KSP 2.
Step 1 — Install BepInEx (IL2CPP build)
KSP 2 uses Unity's IL2CPP compilation, which requires the IL2CPP build of BepInEx. Download the IL2CPP-capable BepInEx release.
Extract to your KSP 2 install directory. The required files are winhttp.dll (the BepInEx loader) plus the BepInEx/ folder structure.
First launch with BepInEx installed takes longer than normal — BepInEx generates IL2CPP interop assemblies on first run.
Step 2 — Install SpaceWarp
SpaceWarp is the foundational framework mod most other KSP 2 mods depend on. It provides hooks into KSP 2's update cycle and exposes utility APIs.
Download the latest release. Drop the SpaceWarp/ folder into KSP2/BepInEx/plugins/.
Step 3 — Install your first content mods
KSP 2's mod catalog is small. Check the KSP 2 SpaceDock listing for the current crop.
Manual install per mod: drop the mod's folder into BepInEx/plugins/. Restart KSP 2.
Step 4 — Verify mods loaded
KSP 2's main menu doesn't always indicate loaded mods clearly. Check the BepInEx console log (KSP2/BepInEx/LogOutput.log) for each mod's initialisation message.
Step 5 — Save handling
KSP 2's save format is still in flux. Mods that touch saves should be installed before starting a serious playthrough. Back up your save folder (typically %LocalAppData%/IntsysStudios/KSP2/, though paths vary) before installing content mods.
Common gotchas
- Game crashes on launch. Often a BepInEx version mismatch or a corrupt IL2CPP interop generation. Re-run BepInEx's first-run procedure by deleting
BepInEx/interop/and re-launching. - Mod loaded but no effect. SpaceWarp likely missing. Most mods declare SpaceWarp as a dependency.
- Patch broke mods. KSP 2 updates frequently; mods break. The community's response is slower than KSP 1's was.
- Performance worse with mods. KSP 2's base game performance is already mixed; mods can push it lower. Watch the BepInEx logs for warnings.
- Save file corruption. Save formats change patch-to-patch. Back up before patches.
If you find the KSP 2 modding scene too thin for your needs, the much more mature KSP 1 modding scene is worth considering as an alternative.