---
title: Adding Mods
description: Browse, search, and install mods from CurseForge and Modrinth directly in Polymerium.
---

## Browsing Mods

1. Select your instance in the sidebar.
2. Switch to the **Setup** tab — this is where all mod management happens.
3. Click **Add Mod** or use the search bar at the top.

Polymerium connects to **CurseForge** and **Modrinth** directly. You can search both repositories, browse categories, and install mods without leaving the app.

## Searching

Use the search bar in the marketplace to find mods by name or keyword. You can filter by:

- **Repository** — CurseForge, Modrinth, or both
- **Game version** — only show mods compatible with your instance's Minecraft version
- **Loader** — only show mods for your instance's mod loader
- **Category** — performance, technology, magic, adventure, etc.

## Installing a Mod

Click on any mod to see its details — description, screenshots, changelogs. When you're ready, click **Install** to add the mod to your instance.

The mod file isn't downloaded yet. Installing only adds a reference to your instance's metadata. The actual download and file linking happens when you **deploy**.

## Managing Your Mod List

Once installed, each mod in your list can be:

- **Enabled / Disabled** — toggle without removing. Disabled mods are ignored during deployment.
- **Version-pinned** — click the version to pick a specific release instead of always using the latest.
- **Tagged** — add custom tags like `performance`, `core`, `QoL` for your own organization. See [Tags & Batch Operations](/docs/managing/tags) for more.

## Bulk Updates

When mod authors release new versions, Polymerium can show you all available updates at once. The bulk update dialog lets you review each update and choose which ones to apply — or exclude mods with certain tags from auto-updating.

## What About Dependencies?

Many mods depend on other mods to function (for example, most Fabric mods require Fabric API). Polymerium shows you what a mod depends on and whether those dependencies are already in your instance.

Here's how it works:

1. **Dependency info** — When you view a mod, Polymerium lists its dependencies with real installation status. You can see at a glance which ones you already have and which are missing.
2. **Nested exploration** — Click into any dependency to see *its* dependencies. You can drill down through the full dependency tree, level by level.
3. **You choose what to add** — Polymerium doesn't auto-add anything. You install only the dependencies you want, with full visibility into what each one requires.

Dependency data from mod hosting sites can be inaccurate, so Polymerium gives you the information and lets you decide. No surprises, no unwanted mods.

## Next Step

Your instance has mods. Time to [deploy and play →](/docs/getting-started/play)
