Create Tab - Creating & Sharing Collections
The Create tab allows you to export your modlist as a shareable file, use profiles to manage different configurations, and preserve FOMOD installer choices. This is useful for:
- Sharing your curated mod setup with friends
- Creating backups of your collection configuration
- Managing multiple configurations with profiles
- Preserving FOMOD choices for reinstallation
Toolbar Overview
The Create tab toolbar has two rows of controls:
Row 1 - Profiles
- Profile dropdown - Select which profile to work with
- New - Create a new profile
- Edit - Edit the current profile name
- Save - Save current settings to the profile
- Load - Load settings from the profile
- Del - Delete the current profile
- Version dropdown - Select a version of the profile
- New Version - Create a new version snapshot
Row 2 - Actions
- Refresh Data (green) - Reload mod data from MO2
- Export Modlist (blue) - Export as shareable .zip file
- Settings - Open settings dialog
- Search box - Filter mods by name
Working with Profiles
Profiles save your mod flags and settings so you can quickly switch between different configurations.
Creating a Profile
- Click New next to the Profile dropdown
- Enter a name for your profile
- Configure your mod flags (Essential, Optional, External, Bundle)
- Click Save to store the configuration
Saving and Loading
Profiles capture the current state of all checkbox flags in the mod table:
- Save - Captures current Export, Essential, Optional, External, Bundle, and Capture checkbox states
- Load - Restores all saved flag states from the profile
Auto-save: You can enable auto-save in Settings to automatically save changes whenever you toggle a flag.
Profile Versions
Each profile can have multiple saved versions, allowing you to keep snapshots of different configurations:
- Use the Version dropdown to switch between saved versions
- Click New Version to create a snapshot of the current state
- The last used profile and version are remembered between sessions
Mod Table Columns
The mod table displays all mods with collection markers and their export settings.
| Column | Description |
|---|---|
| No. | Install order position |
| Export | Checkbox - include this mod in the export |
| Mod Name | Display name of the mod |
| Mod Version | Version number |
| INIs | Button showing count of INI edits (click to configure) |
| FOMOD | Button showing FOMOD status (Configured/Unconfigured/-) |
| Essential | Checkbox - mark as required mod |
| Optional | Checkbox - user can skip this mod |
| External | Checkbox - downloaded from non-Nexus source |
| Bundle | Checkbox - include in bundle archive |
| Capture | Checkbox - save mod's file structure |
| URL | Text field for external download link |
| Link Type | Dropdown: auto/direct/page |
Sorting and Filtering
- Click column headers to sort
- Use the search box in the toolbar to filter mods by name
Mod Flags
Each mod can have flags that affect how it's handled during installation:
| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
| Essential | Required mod - the collection won't work without it |
| Optional | User will be prompted to install or skip |
| External | Downloaded from a source other than Nexus Mods |
| Bundle | Include the mod archive directly in the collection |
| Capture | Save the mod's installed file structure |
Tip: Toggle flags directly by clicking the checkboxes in the table. If auto-save is enabled, changes are saved immediately.
FOMOD Status
The FOMOD column shows whether each mod has a FOMOD installer and its configuration status:
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Configured | FOMOD installer present and choices have been saved |
| Unconfigured | FOMOD installer present but no choices saved yet |
| - | No FOMOD installer for this mod |
Click the FOMOD button to configure or view the installer choices for that mod.
Important: All mods with FOMOD installers must have saved choices before you can export. Mods with missing FOMOD choices will show an orange warning.
Exporting a Modlist
Export your collection as a .zip file that can be shared or imported later.
How to Export
- Select a profile or configure your mod flags
- Check the Export checkbox for mods you want to include
- Ensure all FOMOD mods have saved choices (no orange warnings)
- Click Export Modlist (blue button)
- Choose a save location and filename
After export, a summary shows the breakdown by section (Essential, Optional, External, Bundle).
Export Requirements
Before you can export, ensure:
- Profile selected - Have a profile active to organize your export
- FOMOD choices saved - All mods with FOMOD installers need saved choices
- Export boxes checked - Only mods with the Export checkbox will be included
FOMOD Validation: If any FOMOD mods are missing saved choices, the export will warn you. Click the FOMOD button to configure each one.
What's Included in the Export
The exported .zip file contains JSON data with:
- Mod names, IDs, versions - Identification info for each mod
- Install order - The sequence mods should be installed
- FOMOD choices - Saved installer selections
- Section flags - Essential, Optional, External, Bundle status
- Download URLs - Links for external mods
- Author and version info - Collection metadata
Note: The export does NOT include actual mod files, only the metadata needed to download and install them (unless mods are marked as Bundle).
Importing a Collection
To import a collection created with Export Modlist:
Important: The Import Modlist button is located in the Modlists tab header (the prominent green button next to Settings).
How to Import
- Go to the Modlists tab
- Click the green Import Modlist button (next to Settings)
- Select the .zip file from Export Modlist
- A LOCAL collection card will be created
Loading the Imported Collection
After importing:
- The collection appears as a LOCAL card in your Modlists tab
- Click the card to select it
- Proceed with installation as normal
- FOMOD choices will be automatically applied during mod installation
FOMOD Auto-Apply: When installing mods from an imported collection, any saved FOMOD choices will be automatically applied without user interaction.
Settings Dialog
Click the Settings button in the toolbar to configure Create tab options:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Auto-save | Automatically save profile changes when toggling flags |
| INI export mode | Export as Diff (smaller, only changes) or Full files |
| Deep scan FOMODs | Check inside archives for nested FOMOD installers |
| Include collection history | Track which collections each mod came from |
Sharing Collections with Others
To share your collection with friends or the community:
Step-by-Step
- Set up your modlist with the desired mods enabled
- Configure FOMOD choices for all installers
- Mark mods appropriately (Essential, Optional, etc.)
- Export the modlist to a .zip file
- Share the .zip file (Discord, email, cloud storage, etc.)
What Recipients Need
- MO2 with Collections Manager installed
- Nexus Mods account (Premium recommended for auto-download)
- The same game installed
Best Practice: Include a README with your export explaining any manual steps, recommended settings, or mod conflicts to watch for.
Backup and Restore
Use the Create tab to backup your collection configuration:
Creating a Backup
- Configure your mods and save to a profile
- Export the modlist with all FOMOD choices
- Save the .zip to a backup location (cloud storage recommended)
Restoring from Backup
- Create a fresh MO2 profile
- Import the .zip file via the Modlists tab (green Import Modlist button)
- Run the installation process
Note: Backups don't include actual mod files unless marked as Bundle. You'll need to re-download non-bundled mods.
Tips for Sharing
- Test your exported collection by importing it into a fresh profile
- Document any mods that require special handling
- Use profile versions to maintain different configurations
- Consider creating separate exports for large collections