If you cannot find the recipe you have simply not enabled the mod correctly.
Probably not your fault, as the menus can be a bit confusing:



Don't forget the 2 required mods!

* Make sure there is a ending semi-colon (;) for these lines.


B41: Missing Sandbox Options? When hosting through the main menu you need to activate the mods on the main-menu 'Mods' menu first. After that you will see the settings/options when going through the 'Host' menu.

B42.13+ There is a mod selection screen, this adds to the mods list but you should still check the mods/workshop tabs on the INI page after.
Note: modIDs for B42 require \ in front of each of the modIDs. ex: \modID

B41/B42.13+: Still missing Recipe/Mod Doesn't Work? When editing server settings you should see two different tabs/options - workshop and mods. Workshop controls downloaded content, Mods selects which of the mods are activated.* See above examples of workshopIDs and modIDs.

If you're getting a 'file mismatch' error see other discussion topic.


Dedicated Server:
The above answer for Multiplayer also applies. You will need to add the workshopID and modID to the cache/server/<servername>.ini file.

*This is relevant to content which has multiple sub-mods within as some can't be enabled at the same time -- the skill recovery journal only has the one option but even so you have to enable it under both tabs.

Single-Player:
For on-going/existing games you have to, on the Load menu option, before hitting Play, select More. There you can actually add mods to your existing save. Otherwise, enabling it on the main menu Mods list will activate it for new games.



In some cases host-services may not save changes to sandbox options, you may need to delete the sandbox file and then manually change the settings for it to stick.

B41: There's a known issue of the sandbox recipe breaking on "=" (equal signs), the default recipe asks for 3 leather strips. If your recipe doesn't look the default value try removing the `=3`. Please let me know your setup details so that bug can be resolved.

B41 to B42 and back again:
There has been reports of the recipe being missing when switching back and forth between build 41/42. It's not clear as to why this occurs, but the issue lies in the sandbox option being set for the wrong version.

For B42: The default value for this option is (as of JAN 2026) BLANK - set it to BLANK if you don't want a custom recipe. The value prior to this sometimes drops the ending comma - if you're missing a comma either empty the value or adda comma.


For B41:

Note for Non-English Players: The recipe names are also translated into a few different languages. As such the recipe may be listed in your language.




No, you just need to craft a journal to get started.

Yes. However, removing it will delete the journals held and any progress stored in them; Players will have to re-craft them if you re-enable the journal.

You craft them. The recipe can be found under "bind journal" or under your native language's translation. If you don't see the recipe check `CAN'T SEE THE RECIPE?` question and answer above.

You will see the option to "transcribe journal" when you have a writing tool and bound journal (that is unclaimed or one you've written in before.) Trying to transcribe or read another person's journal in MP will not work (outside of Split-Screen-CO-OP).

Transcribe One/All? Just ignore it, it's a jank-bug from the fact "transcribe" is a recipe that results in an item used in it - it's effectively the same action.

The journals save skill's respective XP - ignoring profession/trait starting levels. There is also a sandbox option to lower return percentage (default is 100%). As well as options for types of XP saved, based on skill category, TV shows. By default, TV XP and some categories are disabled.

XP stored in the journal reflects the current character reading it. You will notices changes to the displayed XP if you take characters with different starting traits or professions (including fast/slow learner). The XP in the journal is flat, and it should not be possible to create more through recreating characters.

Warning:
Journals have to be manually updated using a pen or pencil. You can check the tool-tip for XP and recipes. Careful if you die holding your journal as it may be difficult to retrieve it from your moving corpse or it could be stolen/destroyed by other players.

Not by default. You are expected to keep using the same journal and updating it over time. Unless you toggle the one-time use, which makes it so XP is depleted and will require crafting a new journal.

Yes, except for profession/trait gained (just like skill levels).