Updated 4 November 2026
To run DarkRP, add the DarkRP gamemode from the Steam Workshop (or GitHub), upload the darkrpmodification addon for your own jobs and settings, set the gamemode to darkrp, pick an rp_ map and restart. The one rule the DarkRP developers repeat everywhere: never edit DarkRP's own files. All your changes go in darkrpmodification, so updates never wipe them out. Plan on about 30 minutes for a first working server.
Checked on 29 October 2026 on the official DarkRP and darkrpmodification repositories on GitHub (FPtje/DarkRP and FPtje/darkrpmodification).
1. Add the DarkRP gamemode
The DarkRP developers recommend installing it from Git or the Workshop. The Workshop is easiest on a hosted server:
- Make a public Collection on the Steam Workshop for Garry's Mod and add DarkRP (Workshop item
248302805), plus an RP map such as rp_downtown_v4c_v2. - In SparkPanel under Settings, paste the collection number into Workshop ID.
- Set Gamemode to
darkrpand Map to the map's exact name.
2. Upload darkrpmodification
- Download darkrpmodification as a zip from github.com/FPtje/darkrpmodification (Code → Download ZIP).
- Stop the server. In Files, open
garrysmod/addons, upload the zip and unzip it. - Rename the folder to
darkrpmodification: lowercase, no spaces, no-master. Our servers run Linux, where upper and lower case are different names. - Start the server and check the console for errors.
3. Where you change what
| You want to change | File in garrysmod/addons/darkrpmodification/ |
|---|---|
| General settings (salaries, prices, rules) | lua/darkrp_config/settings.lua |
| Turn off default jobs or features | lua/darkrp_config/disabled_defaults.lua |
| Your own jobs | lua/darkrp_customthings/jobs.lua |
| Entities people can buy (printers, tables) | lua/darkrp_customthings/entities.lua |
| Weapon shipments for gun dealers | lua/darkrp_customthings/shipments.lua |
The files contain commented examples. Copy one, change the name and model, save and restart. A typo in a Lua file shows up as an error in the console with the file name and line number.
jobs.lua doesn't harm your server, but it is quicker to roll back than to search.4. Make yourself admin
Install an admin addon such as ULX with ULib (add both to your Workshop collection), restart, and give yourself rights from the SparkPanel console: ulx adduser YourName superadmin.
5. Let players download the content
Players need your map and the addons that add models or textures. Add resource.AddWorkshop("ID") for each of those Workshop items to a Lua file under garrysmod/lua/autorun/server/, so Garry's Mod downloads them when players join. More in Set up your Garry's Mod server.
Which plan?
Garry's Mod 2 GB with 15 GB NVMe runs a DarkRP server for a starting community: €3.89 per month paid per quarter, or €4.19 with monthly billing. Many custom models and addons use more memory and disk; watch the graphs in SparkPanel and email us if you outgrow it. See Garry's Mod server hosting. Prefer a quick game with friends? Set up a TTT server.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a DarkRP server? Add DarkRP (Workshop item 248302805) and an rp_ map to a Workshop collection, put the collection ID in your server settings, set the gamemode to darkrp, upload darkrpmodification to garrysmod/addons and restart.
What is darkrpmodification? The official addon for all your own DarkRP changes: settings, jobs, entities and shipments. Changes there survive DarkRP updates; changes to DarkRP's own files don't.
Where do I add jobs in DarkRP? In lua/darkrp_customthings/jobs.lua inside the darkrpmodification addon. Copy an example, change it, save and restart.
Can I edit DarkRP's files directly? Don't. The DarkRP developers say to never touch DarkRP's core files; an update would overwrite your changes. Use darkrpmodification instead.
How much RAM does a DarkRP server need? 2 GB is enough to start. Servers with many custom models and addons need more; check the memory graph in SparkPanel.