Back Up Your World Before Changing Mods

A backup is useful only when you can restore it. Before changing a modded setup, preserve both the world and enough installation information to reopen it with the versions that created it.
Close the game before copying
Exit the world and stop any server cleanly before making a manual copy. Use the launcher to find the correct save directory. Store the backup outside the active instance so later file changes do not overwrite it accidentally. Label the copy with a meaningful date and pack version.
Preserve the surrounding setup
Keep the relevant configuration and an exact mod release list alongside the save. Changes to content mods can affect blocks, entities, and world data, so restoring only the world may not reproduce the previous environment. Follow any migration instructions supplied by the projects you update.
Practice a restore in another instance
Create a separate test instance with the recorded versions and open a copy of the backup there. Check important builds and player progress before relying on the routine. Never use your only backup as the live testing copy. After a successful update, keep the older snapshot until you are satisfied that normal play works.
Sources and further reading
For project details, release compatibility, and developer documentation, consult the official Citadel project page, official file listing, and Citadel source repository. Checked October 17, 2026.
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