From bf86cd91e9602375d2098592fe639c3ac1947498 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Lynda Straffin Date: Thu, 20 Aug 2026 16:31:59 -0400 Subject: [PATCH] Add CONFIG-REFERENCE.md and workflow guidance --- .kilo/agent/lyndas_mod.md | 10 ++++ CONFIG-REFERENCE.md | 108 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ README.md | 1 + 3 files changed, 119 insertions(+) create mode 100644 CONFIG-REFERENCE.md diff --git a/.kilo/agent/lyndas_mod.md b/.kilo/agent/lyndas_mod.md index 784ef1c..6cd5d19 100644 --- a/.kilo/agent/lyndas_mod.md +++ b/.kilo/agent/lyndas_mod.md @@ -116,6 +116,16 @@ The following v3 mods are available in the mod launcher (under `C:\7D2D\v3\`): - Welcome to Purgatory - Wild West Mod +## Finding What to Change + +When Lynda wants to make a specific change but doesn't know which file to edit, use `CONFIG-REFERENCE.md` to identify the relevant XML config file. Common entry points: +- **Player/zombie stats**: `archetypes.xml`, `entityclasses.xml` +- **Items/crafting**: `items.xml`, `recipes.xml`, `progression.xml` +- **Loot/spawning**: `loot.xml`, `spawning.xml`, `entitygroups.xml` +- **World/environment**: `biomes.xml`, `worldglobal.xml`, `weathersurvival.xml` +- **UI changes**: `XUi_Common/xui.xml`, `XUi_InGame/xui.xml` +- **Simple stat tweaks**: Often achievable with a few XPath lines in a modlet + ## Notes - The ModLauncher config has stale `SteamPaths` pointing to `e:\steam\steamapps\common\7 Days To Die\` but the actual Steam install is at `C:\Steam\steamapps\common\7 Days To Die`. diff --git a/CONFIG-REFERENCE.md b/CONFIG-REFERENCE.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c32caf6 --- /dev/null +++ b/CONFIG-REFERENCE.md @@ -0,0 +1,108 @@ +# 7 Days to Die Config Reference + +This document inventories the XML config files found in the vanilla game install and describes what they control. Use this to figure out where to make specific changes. + +## Core Gameplay Configs + +| File | Purpose | +|------|---------| +| `archetypes.xml` | Base archetype definitions (player, zombie, animal stats) | +| `entityclasses.xml` | Entity class definitions (items, blocks, tools, weapons) | +| `items.xml` | Item definitions (stats, weight, value, crafting requirements) | +| `blocks.xml` | Block definitions (building materials, strength, crafting) | +| `materials.xml` | Material definitions (harvesting, repair costs) | +| `recipes.xml` | Crafting recipes | +| `progression.xml` | Skill/level progression, XP requirements, perks | +| `loot.xml` | Loot tables for containers, zombies, world spawns | +| `spawning.xml` | Zombie/wildlife spawn rates, biomes, gamestage scaling | + +## World & Environment + +| File | Purpose | +|------|---------| +| `biomes.xml` | Biome definitions (forest, desert, snow, wasteland) | +| `worldglobal.xml` | Global world settings (day/night cycle, weather) | +| `weathersurvival.xml` | Weather effects, temperature, survival mechanics | +| `rwgmixer.xml` | Random World Generator (RWG) rules for POI placement | +| `events.xml` | World events (horde night, wandering hordes) | +| `gameevents.xml` | Event timing and triggers | + +## Entities & AI + +| File | Purpose | +|------|---------| +| `entitygroups.xml` | Entity spawn groups (zombie types per biome/gamestage) | +| `gamestages.xml` | Gamestage definitions and scaling | +| `utilityai.xml` | NPC/zombie AI behaviors and tasks | +| `npc.xml` | NPC definitions (traders, quest givers) | +| `vehicles.xml` | Vehicle definitions and stats | +| `buffs.xml` | Status effects (poison, bleeding, infection, etc.) | + +## UI & Display + +| File | Purpose | +|------|---------| +| `ui_display.xml` | UI element positioning and visibility | +| `XUi_Common/xui.xml` | Common UI layout definitions | +| `XUi_Common/styles.xml` | UI style definitions | +| `XUi_Common/templates.xml` | Reusable UI templates | +| `XUi_InGame/xui.xml` | In-game UI layout (toolbelt, inventory, map) | +| `XUi_InGame/windows.xml` | In-game window definitions | +| `XUi_Menu/xui.xml` | Main menu UI layout | +| `XUi_Menu/windows.xml` | Main menu window definitions | + +## Other Configs + +| File | Purpose | +|------|---------| +| `challenges.xml` | Challenge definitions (kill X zombies, etc.) | +| `quests.xml` | Quest definitions and rewards | +| `traders.xml` | Trader definitions and inventory | +| `dialogs.xml` | NPC dialog text and options | +| `sounds.xml` | Sound effect definitions | +| `music.xml` | Music track definitions | +| `painting.xml` | Player painting/decoration system | +| `physicsbodies.xml` | Physics body definitions for blocks | +| `qualityinfo.xml` | Item quality tiers and durability | +| `item_modifiers.xml` | Item attachment modifiers (scopes, silencers, etc.) | +| `signs.xml` | Sign definitions and text rendering | +| `shapes.xml` | 3D shape/mesh definitions | +| `dmscontent.xml` | DMS (Dynamic Music System) content | +| `loadingscreen.xml` | Loading screen tips and images | +| `twitch.xml` | Twitch integration settings | +| `twitch_events.xml` | Twitch event definitions | +| `videos.xml` | Video playback definitions | +| `misc.xml` | Miscellaneous game settings | +| `nav_objects.xml` | Navigation mesh objects | +| `subtitles.xml` | Subtitle definitions | +| `blockplaceholders.xml` | Block placeholder definitions | + +## How to Find Specific Settings + +When you want to change a specific game mechanic, use these approaches: + +1. **Search for keywords** — Search the entire `Data/Config` folder for terms like "zombie", "health", "damage", etc. +2. **Check archetypes.xml first** — Many base stats are defined here +3. **Look at entityclasses.xml** — Item and block properties +4. **Check progression.xml** — Skill and level changes +5. **Search the web** — The 7 Days to Die modding community has extensive documentation + +## Common XPath Targets for Simple Modlets + +For very simple changes, you can use XPath in modlet config files: + +- `/player/@maxHealth` — Player max health +- `/player/@health` — Player starting health +- `/zombie/@health` — Zombie base health multiplier +- `/loot/@quantity` — Loot quantity multiplier +- `/day/@length` — Day length in minutes +- `/night/@length` — Night length in minutes +- `/bloodmoon/@enabled` — Enable/disable blood moon +- `/xp/@multiplier` — XP gain multiplier + +## Notes + +- Always back up original XML files before editing +- Use the mod launcher for complex mods that modify many files +- Use simple modlets for single-file XML changes +- Test changes in a new save — existing saves may not pick up config changes diff --git a/README.md b/README.md index f57dd0f..690196f 100644 --- a/README.md +++ b/README.md @@ -30,4 +30,5 @@ Use 7D2DModLauncherV5 to manage v3 mods under `C:\7D2D\v3\`. ## Documentation - `ENVIRONMENT.md` — Complete environment and path reference +- `CONFIG-REFERENCE.md` — Inventory of game XML config files and what they control - `mods/README.md` — Modlet development guide