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To install addons on a FREAKHOSTING Garry’s Mod server, put them in a public or unlisted Steam Workshop collection, enter the collection’s number in Workshop collection on Game settings and restart. The server downloads every item in the collection at each start. You can also upload addon folders to /garrysmod/addons with the File Manager or SFTP. Your server starts with no addons.

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Which method should I use?

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How to add a Workshop collection

1

Create a collection

On the Steam Workshop for Garry’s Mod, create a collection and add the addons you want. Set its visibility to Public or Unlisted; the server cannot read a private collection.
2

Copy the collection ID

Open the collection. The ID is the number at the end of its address, after ?id=. For example, in steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=123456789 the ID is 123456789.
3

Enter it in Game settings

Open Game settings, find Workshop collection under Start-up, paste the number and save. It is the same as the Workshop ID variable on Startup.
4

Restart and check the console

Restart the server. The server downloads the collection, including any collections inside it, and mounts the addons. Large collections make the first start slower.
To add or remove an addon later, edit the collection on Steam and restart. You don’t need to change the ID.

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How to upload an addon by hand

1

Stop the server

Stop the server before you change addons.
2

Upload the addon folder

Upload the addon’s folder into /garrysmod/addons with the File Manager or SFTP. The folder should contain the addon’s own folders, such as lua, directly inside it (for example /garrysmod/addons/ulx/lua/), not a second folder of the same name.
3

Start the server

Start the server and watch the console for Lua errors.

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Do players download my addons automatically?

Lua code is sent to players automatically. Models, materials and sounds are not, except two cases: the current map and a Workshop gamemode from your collection are marked for download by the game. For everything else with custom content, tell players’ games to download it with resource.AddWorkshop. See force clients to download content.

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Frequently asked questions

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Why are my Workshop addons not loading?

Check that the collection is Public or Unlisted, that you entered the collection ID (not a single item’s ID) and that you restarted. Then read the console from the start for download errors.

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Can I use a single Workshop item instead of a collection?

The Workshop collection field takes a collection ID. Put the single item in a collection, or upload it to the addons folder.

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Does the server come with an admin mod?

No. Add ULX and ULib to your collection or addons folder. See install ULX.

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Do too many addons cause lag?

They can. Each addon adds work for the server and downloads for players. Remove addons you don’t use; see server lag.

Garry's Mod server guide

Every Garry’s Mod page in one place.

Force client downloads

resource.AddWorkshop for players.

Install a gamemode

Prop Hunt, Murder and more.

Weapon packs

Add weapon addons.

File Manager

Upload and edit files.
Tested by the FREAKHOSTING team on our Game Panel on 31 October 2026 (Garry’s Mod dedicated server, Sandbox), with Workshop details checked against the official Garry’s Mod wiki. Steps may differ slightly if the game changes.

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Need Extra Help?

If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist:

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Last Updated: October 2026