How to install CKAN?

[Brick Wall]

Hello funny people on the internet!

I want to try installing some mods but I need something called CKAN. Does anybody know what it is or how I can install it?

[Manwith Noname]

You don't need CKAN to install mods but you can get it from GitHub. Just type CKAN in to google and it will graciously provide you with a link.

Edit: After testing, include the letters KSP in that search.

[DEAD MEAT]

I just recently installed CKAN over an install with over 500 hours on it all screwed up with MODs from I can't remember when ... do not delete ... just install right over top of a previous install and let CKAN work it's magic.
One of the things I like best about CKAN is I can remove stuff by un-checking the box and then applying. Not 100% but goes a long way in saving me from keeping track of multiple installs of the game. Brought everything up-to-date, found the stuff jamming me up, and bingo even hooked me up with stuff I never got working 100%.
Google it like suggested, I also suggest you go to You Tube and search there for a good install and WTF is vid ... trust me you might think you know ... but then again you might not.
It's easy to install, but you need to launch it from the CKAN APP at least once after each time you make alterations .... yada yada yada ... YOU TUBE.

[Brick Wall]

Originally posted by Manwith Noname:

You don't need CKAN to install mods but you can get it from GitHub. Just type CKAN in to google and it will graciously provide you with a link.

Edit: After testing, include the letters KSP in that search.

Thanks!

[Brick Wall]

Originally posted by Manwith Noname:

You don't need CKAN to install mods but you can get it from GitHub. Just type CKAN in to google and it will graciously provide you with a link.

Edit: After testing, include the letters KSP in that search.

How do you install mods without GitHub? I used the ol' method of "drop the mod files into the gamedata folder" and it worked for MechJeb and Kerbal Engineer, but not for any of the other mod files I selected.

[Mysterious Hooded Figure]

Originally posted by Brick Wall:

Originally posted by Manwith Noname:

You don't need CKAN to install mods but you can get it from GitHub. Just type CKAN in to google and it will graciously provide you with a link.

Edit: After testing, include the letters KSP in that search.

How do you install mods without GitHub? I used the ol' method of "drop the mod files into the gamedata folder" and it worked for MechJeb and Kerbal Engineer, but not for any of the other mod files I selected.

*Edit: Added CKAN download link and further information for whom wants to read what CKAN is and such.

Follow these steps:

First and foremost, either remove the mods you've installed like MechJeb, KerbEngineer etc. or reinstall KSP. (Don't forget to backup your saves and designs)

1. CKAN download and info: https://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/topic/197082-ckan-the-comprehensive-kerbal-archive-network-v1332-laplace-ksp-2-support/

2. After you download CKAN and run it, CKAN will ask you to specify the path where KSP is installed on.

2a. If CKAN warns you that you are running it as Admin and closes itself, create a shortcut of CKAN.exe on whereever you want. Right click the shortcut -> Properties -> Shortcut Tab -> add this flag to the end of Target section --asroot (Should be looking like this: "X:\Whereever You Keep Your CKAN Folder\Ckan\ckan.exe" --asroot)

https://imgur.com/a/ckan-asroot-hCtdtk0

2b. If CKAN doesn't warn about administrator priviliges and not close itself, skip the step above.

3. Choose the path where you installed KSP, select KSP_x64.exe then apply. (X:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\Kerbal Space Program\ksp_x64.exe)

For GOG version: Do the same, choose the path where KSP installed and select KSP_x64.exe for CKAN to detect Kerbal Space Program

4. Answer the questions to your liking (should CKAN update on the start? etc.)

5. And voila, CKAN is running. It should look like this in the first image below. (Second image is my fundamental mods, i keep it QoL and visuals as much as possible as opposed to game mechanics changing mods)

https://imgur.com/a/ckan-oRFQLug

(Btw Parallax mod might load a tremendous load on your system, think twice for that. Or you can just limit your FPS to 30 or something lower like that from NVidia Control Panel to make it work. KSP just works fine on 30 FPS trust me, i had to limit it on my old rig back then to avoid overheating CPU and such)

6. You can search for mods from the Search bar up there in the first image.

7. Every mod has a connection to its author's GitHub and downloads it from there. You can also click the links given to the right to read full explanation of the mods.

8. To install, simply check the little box to the leftmost hand side of the mod you want and click apply button to the top.

9. To uninstall the mods you dont want, do the vice versa (uncheck the box next to them then apply)

-That's all, i hope you enjoy your new KSP :)

[Brick Wall]

Originally posted by Mysterious Hooded Figure:

Originally posted by Brick Wall:

How do you install mods without GitHub? I used the ol' method of "drop the mod files into the gamedata folder" and it worked for MechJeb and Kerbal Engineer, but not for any of the other mod files I selected.

*Edit: Added CKAN download link and further information for whom wants to read what CKAN is and such.

Follow these steps:

First and foremost, either remove the mods you've installed like MechJeb, KerbEngineer etc. or reinstall KSP. (Don't forget to backup your saves and designs)

1. CKAN download and info: https://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/topic/197082-ckan-the-comprehensive-kerbal-archive-network-v1332-laplace-ksp-2-support/

2. After you download CKAN and run it, CKAN will ask you to specify the path where KSP is installed on.

2a. If CKAN warns you that you are running it as Admin and closes itself, create a shortcut of CKAN.exe on whereever you want. Right click the shortcut -> Properties -> Shortcut Tab -> add this flag to the end of Target section --asroot (Should be looking like this: "X:\Whereever You Keep Your CKAN Folder\Ckan\ckan.exe" --asroot)

https://imgur.com/a/ckan-asroot-hCtdtk0

2b. If CKAN doesn't warn about administrator priviliges and not close itself, skip the step above.

3. Choose the path where you installed KSP, select KSP_x64.exe then apply. (X:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\Kerbal Space Program\ksp_x64.exe)

For GOG version: Do the same, choose the path where KSP installed and select KSP_x64.exe for CKAN to detect Kerbal Space Program

4. Answer the questions to your liking (should CKAN update on the start? etc.)

5. And voila, CKAN is running. It should look like this in the first image below. (Second image is my fundamental mods, i keep it QoL and visuals as much as possible as opposed to game mechanics changing mods)

https://imgur.com/a/ckan-oRFQLug

(Btw Parallax mod might load a tremendous load on your system, think twice for that. Or you can just limit your FPS to 30 or something lower like that from NVidia Control Panel to make it work. KSP just works fine on 30 FPS trust me, i had to limit it on my old rig back then to avoid overheating CPU and such)

6. You can search for mods from the Search bar up there in the first image.

7. Every mod has a connection to its author's GitHub and downloads it from there. You can also click the links given to the right to read full explanation of the mods.

8. To install, simply check the little box to the leftmost hand side of the mod you want and click apply button to the top.

9. To uninstall the mods you dont want, do the vice versa (uncheck the box next to them then apply)

-That's all, i hope you enjoy your new KSP :)

Thanks! But what if I have a Mac?

[Manwith Noname]

You install manually.

[Brick Wall]

Originally posted by Manwith Noname:

You install manually.

alright!

[Mysterious Hooded Figure]

Originally posted by Brick Wall:

Originally posted by Manwith Noname:

You install manually.

alright!

I think there is a Mod Manager like CKAN for MacOS called "Launch Pad" and its a client of CKAN as far as i know.

But to be frank with you, never used it before and i don't know whether or not it's still being updated.

But here is the link and the info for Launch Pad: (sorry for the late answer btw)

-> https://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/topic/173587-mac-launch-pad-a-mod-manager-for-macos/ <-

*Edit: Oh maybe you might even not need to try Launch Pad. There is a little guide how to use CKAN on MacOS in this GitHub link under "How Should I Install?" section.

It says, "macOS -> Get the .dmg, open it, copy CKAN.app somewhere and run it"

https://github.com/KSP-CKAN/CKAN/releases

(Im sorry i can't validate whether or not that works since i am not a mac guy but hope it helps)

[Brick Wall]

Originally posted by Mysterious Hooded Figure:

Originally posted by Brick Wall:

alright!

I think there is a Mod Manager like CKAN for MacOS called "Launch Pad" and its a client of CKAN as far as i know.

But to be frank with you, never used it before and i don't know whether or not it's still being updated.

But here is the link and the info for Launch Pad: (sorry for the late answer btw)

-> https://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/topic/173587-mac-launch-pad-a-mod-manager-for-macos/ <-

*Edit: Oh maybe you might even not need to try Launch Pad. There is a little guide how to use CKAN on MacOS in this GitHub link under "How Should I Install?" section.

It says, "macOS -> Get the .dmg, open it, copy CKAN.app somewhere and run it"

https://github.com/KSP-CKAN/CKAN/releases

(Im sorry i can't validate whether or not that works since i am not a mac guy but hope it helps)

Thanks!

[Brick Wall]

Originally posted by Brick Wall:

Originally posted by Mysterious Hooded Figure:

I think there is a Mod Manager like CKAN for MacOS called "Launch Pad" and its a client of CKAN as far as i know.

But to be frank with you, never used it before and i don't know whether or not it's still being updated.

But here is the link and the info for Launch Pad: (sorry for the late answer btw)

-> https://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/topic/173587-mac-launch-pad-a-mod-manager-for-macos/ <-

*Edit: Oh maybe you might even not need to try Launch Pad. There is a little guide how to use CKAN on MacOS in this GitHub link under "How Should I Install?" section.

It says, "macOS -> Get the .dmg, open it, copy CKAN.app somewhere and run it"

https://github.com/KSP-CKAN/CKAN/releases

(Im sorry i can't validate whether or not that works since i am not a mac guy but hope it helps)

Thanks!

Where is KSP usually located? It's telling me that it's likely in Applications (i actually found it there myself) but when I opened the finder pop-up I can't find it.

[Brick Wall]

Originally posted by Brick Wall:

Originally posted by Brick Wall:

Thanks!

Where is KSP usually located? It's telling me that it's likely in Applications (i actually found it there myself) but when I opened the finder pop-up I can't find it.

What's a Dlr too?

[Manwith Noname]

Right click on ksp in your Steam library and select properties. In the local files page click browse. This will open a file explorer window in the game folder.

Dir probably means directory. This is a term for a file / folder location, alternatively a path.

[Brick Wall]

Originally posted by Manwith Noname:

Right click on ksp in your Steam library and select properties. In the local files page click browse. This will open a file explorer window in the game folder.

Dir probably means directory. This is a term for a file / folder location, alternatively a path.

Thanks!