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Plugin Loader

This plugin allows easy installation and loading of client plugins from multiple different kinds of sources. A plugin is basically an unrestricted mod that can do anything it wants. This obviously comes with greater risk, but it can also allow some fantastic normally impossible things. Because of the fact that plugins are unrestricted, you should only install plugins from sources and authors you absolutely trust. Just like any piece of software, don't go installing any random plugin you find without verifying it is safe. However, also know that all plugins are checked and whitelisted before it they are allowed to work with this loader.

Plugins can be configured from the main menu of SE using the Plugins button. Clicking on a plugin in this menu will show its info on the right side. Also, holding the escape key during startup will allow you to disable all plugins temporarily. Please note that this plugin does a lot of operations during the splash screen of the game. That means that the game may take a couple extra seconds to start up when there are a lot of plugins loaded.

Please note that the list of allowed plugins is stored on github.com. If you are unable to access this site in your region, you will not be able to update or download any plugins. If connectivity to GitHub is going to be a problem, contact us and we will provide the files necessary so you can see and use any plugins on GitHub.

Plugin Loader only installs client plugins. Plugins that are installed on the client load regardless of what is happening or what world you join after the game starts. Ask the plugin authors for instructions on installing their plugin on a server.


Linux
Some people have reported issues using RunPluginLoader on linux. If you are using linux, it is recommended that you install manually to avoid crashes while starting the game.

Workshop
To install, subscribe to this item and add this entire line to your launch options:
You can paste this exact string into your launch options, including the quotes around the path. If the game crashes after adding the launch options, it is likely that your steam installation isn't automatically downloading some workshop items. You may need to either add the loader to a world temporarily or use the manual installation instructions.

Manual
To install without the workshop, the files must be copied into the game folder manually. See the instructions and downloads on the github page[github.com].


To uninstall Plugin Loader, remove the plugin from launch options. Deleting the files from the disk or unsubscribing without removing the launch option will crash the game.


Mods
This type of "plugin" isn't really a plugin. These are regular mods that Plugin Loader will tell the game to load.

GitHub
These plugins are hosted on GitHub. Just enable them and after a restart they will be downloaded and installed.

Local
You may install local plugins inside the game Plugins directory:
steamapps\common\SpaceEngineers\Bin64\Plugins
Warning: local plugins bypass the whitelist!


Top 15 plugin list items by usage as of January 2023:

1. Better Inventory Search by avaness[github.com]
   
2. Jump Selector by dude[github.com]
   
3. Multigrid Projector by Viktor[github.com]
   
4. Remove Intro Video Plugin by WesternGamer[github.com]
   
5. Performance Improvements by Viktor[github.com]
   
6. Build Info by Digi
   
7. No Forced Camera Zoom by dude[github.com]
   
8. Colorful Icons by typekcz
   
9. Better Spotlights by Thorn Blackwell
   
10. Tool Switcher by avaness[github.com]
    
11. Block Picker by avaness[github.com]
    
12. Sneaky Sounds - Quieter Tools by Splitsie
    
13. No Armor Edges by avaness[github.com]
    
14. Camera LCD [WIP] by avaness[github.com]
    
15. HUD Compass by Zelious

If you can read xml, a list of plugins can be found here[github.com].

For support, plugin development, and all things plugin, please join the discord server:
https://discord.gg/VJGjzdgnjf


I have entered the launch options exactly as they appear here, but the game crashes on start!
Try to navigate to the folder you put inside the launch options. Sometimes steam doesn't download the Plugin Loader like it's supposed to. If you can't find the folder, try adding plugin loader to a world temporarily so the game can force steam to download it.
Please vote[support.keenswh.com] to have this issue fixed so it doesn't crash the game.

My game crashes when I have plugins enabled!
Did you just enable a new plugin or has a plugin just updated? Try disabling that plugin, or disable plugins at random until the issue is fixed. (Just like if you had a bad mod in your world!) Note that all plugins can be disabled temporarily by holding the escape key during startup. If you find the bad plugin, send the author of that plugin the game's log file.

For support on any issues not covered here, please join the discord server community linked above.


You can find the source code for this plugin on github here[github.com].


If you wish to develop a plugin for Plugin Loader, please join the discord server community linked above.


Donate
To support my work, you may use Paypal[www.paypal.com] or Patreon[www.patreon.com]