Top 10 Garry’s Mod Addon Tool Tips to Speed Up Your WorkflowGarry’s Mod (GMod) is powerful because it lets creators build nearly anything—from simple props to full gamemodes. The Addon Tool (and its associated tools like the Workshop upload flow, gmad/gmpublish, and common in-game utilities) is central to packaging, managing, and distributing content. If you’re creating addons regularly, small improvements to your process add up fast. Below are ten practical tips to speed up your workflow, reduce mistakes, and make your addons easier to maintain and share.
1. Plan your addon structure before you start
A consistent folder layout saves hours when debugging or packaging. Decide early how you’ll separate Lua, models, materials, sounds, and maps.
Suggested structure:
- addon_name/
- lua/
- autorun/
- autorun/client/
- autorun/server/
- entities/
- weapons/
- models/
- materials/
- sound/
- maps/
- .gma (output)
- lua/
Benefits: predictable file paths, easier searching, and straightforward Workshop packaging.
2. Use version control (even for small addons)
Git (or another VCS) helps you track changes, revert mistakes, and collaborate. Commit often with descriptive messages (e.g., “Fix client-side nil error in init.lua”).
Tips:
- Add a simple .gitignore for compiled files and .gma outputs.
- Use branches for experimental features.
- Host repositories on GitHub/GitLab for backup and collaboration; link them in your Workshop description.
3. Automate packaging with gmad/gmpublish or scripts
Manually packaging via the in-game addon tool is fine for quick tests, but scripts save repetitive effort.
Example benefits:
- Consistent metadata (title, tags, description).
- Batch packaging of multiple addons.
- Easily integrate with CI tools if you publish frequently.
You can write a small shell or PowerShell script to call gmad with the right parameters, then gmpublish to upload. Keep a template manifest file you update with version/date.
4. Use a local testing server and fast reload tools
Testing in a live game session can be slow. Run a local dedicated server for faster restarts and isolate dependency issues.
Useful tools and practices:
- Start the server with sv_cheats and developer enabled for faster debugging.
- Use Lua devtools (like wired mod or real-time reload scripts) to reload Lua files without restarting the server.
- Automate map loading and addon refresh on save with file watchers (e.g., nodemon-like tools) so changes appear immediately.
5. Keep client/server separation strict
Many bugs arise from running server-only code on clients or vice versa. Mark files clearly and use proper file placement (autorun/client, autorun/server), and guard shared code.
Example pattern:
if SERVER then -- server-only code else -- client-only code end Benefits: fewer “attempt to index nil” errors, better performance, and more secure server behavior.
6. Create a reusable template and helper functions
Build a lightweight addon template with common utilities: table-safe printing, error wrappers, network helpers, and a basic config file. Reusing this template accelerates starting new projects.
Include:
- Logging wrapper that prefixes your addon name.
- Safe require wrappers that handle missing dependencies gracefully.
- Simple convar and settings loader.
7. Optimize assets before bundling
Large textures and uncompressed audio bloat workshop uploads and increase load times.
Best practices:
- Compress textures with appropriate resolution and formats (use mips where helpful).
- Trim and normalize audio, export using efficient formats.
- Remove unused assets—use a script to detect unreferenced files if possible.
Smaller addons upload faster and are friendlier to players with slow connections.
8. Write clear Workshop descriptions and changelogs
Spending time on your Workshop metadata reduces support requests and ensures users know what your addon does and how to use it.
Include:
- Short summary at the top.
- Installation and dependency notes.
- Known issues and limitations.
- Changelog with version history and dates.
Automate changelog updates from your commit messages if you use Git.
9. Use debugging and profiling tools early
Find performance problems before release. Use built-in profiling (e.g., lua_profiler) and client/server FPS and memory counters while testing.
Focus on:
- Hot functions—optimize where Lua spends most time.
- Network traffic—reduce excessive net messages by batching or compressing data.
- Entity counts—limit spawnable entities or use pooled entities for heavy usage.
Profiling saves players frustration and lowers support volume.
10. Build compatibility and fallback behavior
Not every player has the same content or addons. Make your addon tolerant:
Strategies:
- Check for required dependencies and show a clear message if missing.
- Provide graceful fallbacks for missing models/textures (simple placeholders).
- Use convars to let server admins toggle heavy features.
This reduces crash reports and negative reviews.
Conclusion Small process improvements compound into big time savings. Start by standardizing your file structure and using version control, then automate packaging and testing. Optimize assets, profile performance, and be mindful of client/server separation to build reliable addons that players actually want to use. Applying these ten tips will make your Garry’s Mod addon workflow faster, cleaner, and more professional.
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