How do I install mods for KSP v1.0.2?

[Domonian]

I have no idea how to, so my first instinct was to go to google. Plan B was to come here. Im at Plan B. Please help.

[BlackWater]

You could try and see if Scott Manly has any vids, but the truth is mods, least the ones I have looked into, all have different ways. Typically though, you download the mod you want, and copy either the gamedata folder into the KSP game data folder, or you have to copy the CONTENTS of the mod's game data folder into your KSP gamedata folder. I would suggest you try one mod at a time and test in game before installing more. Ive also taken to taking pictures via phone of the KSP root and the mod contents, makes cleanup easier in case you mess up or dislike a given mod. I hope I haven't confused you, took me a while to work this out.

[raydioactive]

if you are non-steam:
go into your Kerbal Space Program directory (your install folder)
find the "Game Data" folder
Open the folder of your mod
check if there is a "gamedata" folder
paste what is in your mod's gamedata to your normal game data

If you are on steam (im not quite sure on this, I am non-steam):

Find your steam directory
go to steamapps
go to common
go to Kerbal Space Program
find the "Game Data" folder
Open the folder of your mod
check if there is a "gamedata" folder
paste what is in your mod's gamedata to your normal game data

[Manwith Noname]

Due to modders packing their files differently, there is no simple way of saying, "do this". Ultimately, you need to put the right files in the right place, which is generally, the mods named folder into the GameData folder of your KSP install. There are some exceptions where a file may need to be placed directly in the GameData folder or even the root KSP directory but these are perhaps in the minority and will generally be clearly stated on the forum page or a file within the package.

If working out and understanding file structure seems too complicated, have a look at CKAN.

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/100067-The-Comprehensive-Kerbal-Archive-Network-(CKAN)-Package-Manager

Though personally, I strongly suggest you do things manually but that's just me.

[Jaz]

Examining the way the file is zipped up is especially important. Yeah the instructions will say "unzip the contents of the file into your KSP gamedata folder..." but if you look in the zip file, you may see that their mod is already packaged inside a "gamedata" folder which then gives you "gamedata/gamedata/(mod)" which will prevent it from working properly.

Like others have said, you only want the folder that contains the mod's name (or developer) in your gamedata folder. So for Kerbal Attachment System mod, it would show
"... KSP/Gamedata/KAS"

Hope that makes sense for you. Manually installing the files is a lot better and really quite easy once you do it.

[still__alive]

Try this link out: PC Gamer: Best KSP Mods. I recommend using CKAN too if you don't want to manage the files manually. I always managed my Skyrim mods manually but I felt lazy when I started looking for mods for KSP so I gave CKAN a shot. So far I've not had any trouble with it and it's extremely simple to use.

[Domonian]

Ok. Thank you!

[BlackWater]

One mod I can heartily recomend is chatterer, adds additional sound effects that really should be stock. Other than this, my interests lie in advanced tech and more planets, but thats the beauty of this, dozens of mods to choose from, just make sure their compatable with 1.02.