DayZ Modding Complete Guide -- English
The most comprehensive DayZ modding and server administration documentation available. From zero to published mod, from first server to advanced economy tuning.
Note: This is the English version. For other languages, see the home page.
Table of Contents
Part 1: Enforce Script Language
Learn DayZ's scripting language from the ground up.
| Chapter | Topic | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | Variables & Types | Done |
| 1.2 | Arrays, Maps & Sets | Done |
| 1.3 | Classes & Inheritance | Done |
| 1.4 | Modded Classes | Done |
| 1.5 | Control Flow | Done |
| 1.6 | String Operations | Done |
| 1.7 | Math & Vectors | Done |
| 1.8 | Memory Management | Done |
| 1.9 | Casting & Reflection | Done |
| 1.10 | Enums & Preprocessor | Done |
| 1.11 | Error Handling | Done |
| 1.12 | What Does NOT Exist | Done |
| 1.13 | Functions & Methods | Done |
Part 2: Mod Structure
Understand how DayZ mods are organized.
| Chapter | Topic | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2.1 | The 5-Layer Script Hierarchy | Done |
| 2.2 | config.cpp Deep Dive | Done |
| 2.3 | mod.cpp & Workshop | Done |
| 2.4 | Your First Mod | Done |
| 2.5 | File Organization | Done |
| 2.6 | Server/Client Architecture | Done |
Part 3: GUI & Layout System
Build user interfaces for DayZ.
| Chapter | Topic | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 3.1 | Widget Types | Done |
| 3.2 | Layout File Format | Done |
| 3.3 | Sizing & Positioning | Done |
| 3.4 | Container Widgets | Done |
| 3.5 | Programmatic Creation | Done |
| 3.6 | Event Handling | Done |
| 3.7 | Styles, Fonts & Images | Done |
| 3.8 | Dialogs & Modals | Done |
| 3.9 | Real Mod UI Patterns | Done |
| 3.10 | Advanced Widgets | Done |
Part 4: File Formats & Tools
Working with DayZ asset pipeline.
| Chapter | Topic | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 4.1 | Textures (.paa, .edds, .tga) | Done |
| 4.2 | 3D Models (.p3d) | Done |
| 4.3 | Materials (.rvmat) | Done |
| 4.4 | Audio (.ogg, .wss) | Done |
| 4.5 | DayZ Tools Workflow | Done |
| 4.6 | PBO Packing | Done |
| 4.7 | Workbench Guide | Done |
| 4.8 | Building Modeling (Doors & Ladders) | Done |
Part 5: Configuration Files
Essential configuration files for every mod.
| Chapter | Topic | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 5.1 | stringtable.csv (13 Languages) | Done |
| 5.2 | Inputs.xml (Keybindings) | Done |
| 5.3 | Credits.json | Done |
| 5.4 | ImageSet Format | Done |
| 5.5 | Server Configuration Files | Done |
| 5.6 | Spawning Gear Configuration | Done |
Part 6: Engine API Reference
DayZ engine APIs for mod developers.
| Chapter | Topic | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 6.1 | Entity System | Done |
| 6.2 | Vehicle System | Done |
| 6.3 | Weather System | Done |
| 6.4 | Camera System | Done |
| 6.5 | Post-Process Effects | Done |
| 6.6 | Notification System | Done |
| 6.7 | Timers & CallQueue | Done |
| 6.8 | File I/O & JSON | Done |
| 6.9 | Networking & RPC | Done |
| 6.10 | Central Economy | Done |
| 6.11 | Mission Hooks | Done |
| 6.12 | Action System | Done |
| 6.13 | Input System | Done |
| 6.14 | Player System | Done |
| 6.15 | Sound System | Done |
| 6.16 | Crafting System | Done |
| 6.17 | Construction System | Done |
| 6.18 | Animation System | Done |
| 6.19 | Terrain & World Queries | Done |
| 6.20 | Particle & Effect System | Done |
| 6.21 | Zombie & AI System | Done |
| 6.22 | Admin & Server Management | Done |
| 6.23 | World Systems | Done |
Part 7: Patterns & Best Practices
Battle-tested patterns from professional mods.
| Chapter | Topic | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 7.1 | Singleton Pattern | Done |
| 7.2 | Module/Plugin Systems | Done |
| 7.3 | RPC Communication | Done |
| 7.4 | Config Persistence | Done |
| 7.5 | Permission Systems | Done |
| 7.6 | Event-Driven Architecture | Done |
| 7.7 | Performance Optimization | Done |
Part 8: Tutorials
Step-by-step guides.
| Chapter | Topic | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 8.1 | Your First Mod (Hello World) | Done |
| 8.2 | Creating a Custom Item | Done |
| 8.3 | Building an Admin Panel | Done |
| 8.4 | Adding Chat Commands | Done |
| 8.5 | Using the DayZ Mod Template | Done |
| 8.6 | Debugging & Testing | Done |
| 8.7 | Publishing to Steam Workshop | Done |
| 8.8 | Building a HUD Overlay | Done |
| 8.9 | Professional Mod Template | Done |
| 8.10 | Creating a Vehicle Mod | Done |
| 8.11 | Creating a Clothing Mod | Done |
| 8.12 | Building a Trading System | Done |
| 8.13 | Diag Menu Reference | Done |
Part 9: Server Administration
Configure and manage DayZ dedicated servers.
| Chapter | Topic | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 9.1 | Server Setup & First Launch | Done |
| 9.2 | Directory Structure & Mission Folder | Done |
| 9.3 | serverDZ.cfg Complete Reference | Done |
| 9.4 | Loot Economy Deep Dive | Done |
| 9.5 | Vehicle & Dynamic Event Spawning | Done |
| 9.6 | Player Spawning | Done |
| 9.7 | World State & Persistence | Done |
| 9.8 | Performance Tuning | Done |
| 9.9 | Access Control | Done |
| 9.10 | Mod Management | Done |
| 9.11 | Server Troubleshooting | Done |
| 9.12 | Advanced Topics | Done |
Quick Reference
- Enforce Script Cheat Sheet
- Widget Type Reference
- API Quick Reference
- Common Gotchas
- Glossary
- FAQ
- Troubleshooting Guide
Contributing
This documentation was compiled by studying:
- 10+ professional DayZ mods (COT, VPP, Expansion, Dabs Framework, DayZ Editor, Colorful UI)
- 15 official Bohemia Interactive sample mods
- 2,800+ vanilla DayZ script files
- Community Framework source code
Pull requests welcome! See CONTRIBUTING.md for guidelines.
Credits
This documentation was made possible by studying the work of these incredible developers and their open-source projects:
| Developer | GitHub | Projects | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacob_Mango | @Jacob-Mango | Community Framework, Community Online Tools | Module system, RPC patterns, permissions, ESP, vehicle management |
| InclementDab | @InclementDab | Dabs Framework, DayZ Editor, Mod Template | MVC architecture, ViewBinding, widget patterns, editor UI |
| salutesh | @salutesh | DayZ Expansion Scripts | Market system, party system, map markers, notification system, vehicle modules |
| Arkensor | @Arkensor | DayZ Expansion Scripts | Central economy, settings versioning, anti-cheat patterns |
| DaOne | @Da0ne | VPP Admin Tools | Player management, chat commands, webhook system, ESP tools |
| GravityWolf | @GravityWolfNotAmused | VPP Admin Tools | Permission system, server management, teleport system |
| Bohemia Interactive | @BohemiaInteractive | DayZ Engine & Official Samples | Enforce Script engine, vanilla scripts, DayZ Tools, sample mods |
| Brian Orr (DrkDevil) | @DrkDevil | Colorful UI | Color theming system, modded class UI patterns, resolution-aware layouts |
| lothsun | @lothsun | Colorful UI | UI color systems, visual enhancement patterns |
| StarDZ Team | @StarDZ-Team | --- | Documentation compilation, translation & organization |
License
This documentation is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Code examples are licensed under MIT.