SyncCrate
  1. SyncCrate
  2. Games
  3. Kerbal Space Program

Kerbal Space Program guide · Updated

Same KSP mods for every Kerbonaut.

Shared careers and Luna Multiplayer need the same parts on every PC. SyncCrate copies the host's GameData mods, saves and craft files to friends, and after the first time only what changed.

FreeOpen sourceNo cloudWin · macOS · Linux

SyncCrate's game browser: 100 supported games, filtered by genre
SyncCrate · Game browser

// 01 Why

Why modded KSP is hard to share

A modded Kerbal Space Program can be dozens of part packs, planet packs and plugins in GameData. A craft built with parts a friend doesn't have won't load for them, and Luna Multiplayer servers check that everyone's mods match.

CKAN makes installing easy on one PC, but getting three friends onto exactly the same versions, and keeping them there, is still manual.

With SyncCrate one PC hosts and the others match it. Mods and saves are compared by content, only the differences are copied, and everyone sees the list before anything changes.

// 02 What syncs

What SyncCrate syncs for Kerbal Space Program

FolderPath in the game folderFiles
ModsGameData/Mod folders in GameData. The stock Squad folder and the paid DLC in SquadExpansion are skipped..cfg .dll .mu .dds .png .txt
Save Filessaves/Save games with their craft files (.sfs, .craft)..sfs .craft .loadmeta

// Where it looks

Steam
steamapps/common/Kerbal Space Program in every Steam library, on every drive
Anywhere else
Point SyncCrate at the folder yourself, once

Built in for Kerbal Space Program

  • Script warnings. .dll files run code on your PC, so they're flagged for you to review before they sync.
  • No per-file on/off switch. Mods for this game can't be turned off one file at a time, so SyncCrate syncs them as they are.
  • Game-running warning. SyncCrate warns you before syncing while Kerbal Space Program is still open.
  • Undo and history. Undo the last sync in one click, and put back any single file a sync replaced or deleted.

// 03 How it works

Sync Kerbal Space Program in three steps

  1. Install and add the game

    Install SyncCrate on every PC and add Kerbal Space Program in the Game Browser. Its folder is found automatically.

  2. One PC hosts

    The PC with the setup everyone should have clicks Start Hosting. The others pick it under Scan for Hosts on the same network, or paste its join code from anywhere.

  3. Compare and sync

    Check the list of new, changed and conflicting files, then Sync Now. Only the files that differ are copied, PC to PC.

TipEvery PC needs the same KSP version and its own copy of Making History or Breaking Ground if mods or crafts use them. SyncCrate never copies the stock game or the DLC.

// 04 Common problems

When Kerbal Space Program mods don't match

  • Craft files with missing parts

    A craft built with a part pack won't load on a PC without that pack, and the game says it contains unknown parts.

    Friends sync the host's GameData and saves together, so every craft has the parts it needs.

  • Luna Multiplayer mod checks

    LMP servers can require exact mods, and a player with a different set can't join.

    Everyone syncs from the host (or the PC with the server's mod set) before connecting.

  • CKAN doesn't know about synced mods

    CKAN keeps its own list of what it installed, in the game folder outside GameData.

    Synced mods work in the game right away. On the other PC, CKAN may list them as installed outside CKAN; update them on the host and sync instead.

  • Paid DLC in GameData

    Making History and Breaking Ground live inside GameData next to mods. Copying them to a friend who doesn't own them isn't OK.

    The stock Squad folder and SquadExpansion are never synced. Only mods are.

// 05 Kerbal Space Program

Good to know

  • Mods are whole folders. SyncCrate syncs each mod folder as it is and can't switch single mods off file by file.
  • Plugins run code. .dll files are flagged before they sync, and nothing changes until you approve the list. Only sync with people you trust.
  • KSP 1 only. Kerbal Space Program 2 isn't supported.

// FAQ

Kerbal Space Program questions

How do I share my KSP mods with a friend?

Install SyncCrate on both PCs and add Kerbal Space Program. You host, your friend joins and runs Compare & Sync, and their GameData ends up with the same mods as yours.

Can I share a career save?

Yes. Saves sync with their craft files. Sync the mods too, so the save's parts exist on the other PC.

Does it copy the DLC?

No. The stock game files and the Making History and Breaking Ground DLC are skipped. Each player needs their own DLC if crafts use DLC parts.

Does it work with Luna Multiplayer?

Yes. Sync everyone to the same mod set before joining the server. LMP itself is a mod in GameData and syncs like the others.

// Free · Open source · Windows, macOS, Linux

Same Kerbal Space Program setup on every PC.

Install SyncCrate on each PC, one of you hosts, everyone else joins. No accounts, no cloud, nothing uploaded anywhere.