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Installation

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Ganja Panda edited this page May 17, 2026 · 2 revisions

Installation

PandaWorks AutoLoot installs like a normal Starfield plugin/mod package.

If you are using a mod manager, install it with your mod manager. If you are installing manually, put the files where Starfield expects them.

PWAL includes plugin records and Papyrus scripts. Both matter. If you install only the plugin and not the scripts, things will break. If you install only the scripts and not the plugin, congratulations, you have installed a ghost.

Requirements

PWAL is built for Starfield.

You need:

  • Starfield
  • A working mod setup
  • The PWAL plugin file
  • The PWAL script files
  • Archive invalidation / loose file support if installing loose files
  • A mod manager or manual install knowledge

PWAL is designed as a vanilla Creation Kit / Papyrus framework. It is not intended to require SFSE for core functionality.

Recommended Install Method

Use a mod manager.

Recommended options:

  • Vortex
  • Mod Organizer 2, if you know what you are doing

For most users, Vortex is the safer recommendation because it matches how most Starfield players install mods now.

Vortex Installation

  1. Download the latest PWAL release.
  2. Install the archive through Vortex.
  3. Enable the mod.
  4. Deploy your mods.
  5. Launch Starfield.
  6. Load your save.
  7. Confirm the PandaWorks AutoLoot Terminal appears in your inventory.

The PandaWorks AutoLoot Terminal should appear in the Weapons section of your inventory.

Use that terminal to configure PWAL.

Manual Installation

Manual installation is only recommended if you understand Starfield’s mod folder structure.

Install the included files into the correct Starfield Data folder.

Typical files include:

  • The PWAL plugin file
  • Compiled Papyrus scripts
  • Any included archive/asset files

After installing, make sure the plugin is enabled in your load order.

If you manually install this wrong, PWAL will not work correctly. That is not the panda’s fault.

First Launch

After installing:

  1. Start Starfield.
  2. Load your save.
  3. Open your inventory.
  4. Go to the Weapons section.
  5. Find and use the PandaWorks AutoLoot Terminal.
  6. Configure your loot categories.
  7. Configure destinations.
  8. Enable looting.

PWAL does not loot everything by default just because it exists. You need to enable the categories you want.

Updating PWAL

When updating:

  1. Exit the game completely.
  2. Install the new version over the old version.
  3. Let your mod manager replace old files.
  4. Make sure the plugin is still enabled.
  5. Launch the game.
  6. Test the terminal and utility device.

Do not update while the game is running.

Do not hot-swap scripts mid-session and expect reality to remain intact. Papyrus remembers. Papyrus always remembers.

Uninstalling

PWAL uses quests, scripts, persistent references, globals, terminal records, and storage systems.

That means uninstalling mid-save may leave behind script state or stored references.

Recommended uninstall method:

  1. Move any important items out of PandaWorks Inventory.
  2. Disable PWAL looting in the terminal.
  3. Save the game.
  4. Exit Starfield.
  5. Disable/remove the mod.
  6. Load the save and verify there are no immediate issues.
  7. Make a new clean save.

Uninstalling a script-heavy mod from an active save is always a risk. Backup your save first.

Load Order

PWAL should generally load after mods that add new loot/item records if you expect PWAL to detect or interact with those records through lists or keywords.

For normal users:

  • Install PWAL normally.
  • Do not randomly move it all over your load order unless something is actually broken.

For heavy mod lists, test PWAL with a small set of categories first.

After Installation: Basic Test

Before turning everything on, do a small test:

  1. Open the PandaWorks AutoLoot Terminal.
  2. Enable one or two loot categories.
  3. Set their destinations.
  4. Enable looting.
  5. Stand near a small amount of loot.
  6. Confirm the items move correctly.
  7. Open PandaWorks Inventory, ship cargo, or Lodge Safe to verify routing.

Do not start your first test by enabling every category in a loot-filled dungeon and then wonder why your inventory looks like a raccoon exploded.

Troubleshooting Install Problems

The terminal is missing

Check:

  • Is the plugin enabled?
  • Did the scripts install?
  • Did the quest initialize?
  • Did you install the full release archive?
  • Are you looking in the Weapons section?

Nothing is looting

Check:

  • Is looting enabled?
  • Are loot categories enabled?
  • Are you near valid loot?
  • Are you in a restricted location?
  • Is the scan radius too low?
  • Did you route loot somewhere other than the player?

Utility device does not open

Check:

  • Did the utility device get added?
  • Is the terminal working from the main PandaWorks AutoLoot Terminal?
  • Did the scripts install?
  • Are you using the current release?

Ship cargo does not work

Ship cargo requires a valid player home ship.

If you do not have access to your home ship yet, ship cargo utilities may fail or redirect safely. This is expected behavior, not a bug.

Support

Support, bug reports, testing feedback, and general discussion are handled through the PandaWorks Discord.

https://discord.gg/aGJhkYb4

© 2026 PandaWorks Studios / Ganja Panda. All rights reserved.

PandaWorks AutoLoot for Starfield is proprietary mod content.
Do not reupload, redistribute, modify, port, or reuse any part of this project without explicit permission.

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