# Setting up the Application

## First-Run Setup

The first-run setup will only occur when you first open the Stardew Valley Mod Manager or when you reset the application from the settings. When you first run the application, you'll be greeted with the following window:

![The Stardew Valley Mod Manager's First-Run Setup.](https://2096739802-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FsDlfx0Z9f9RxOmmht7vh%2Fuploads%2FcuP0bYuKnemUegoM2jjK%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=2f2185fc-ef6b-4bc0-ac20-d3af01bca413)

To get started, click "Continue" - The application will then show a loading spinner whilst it attempts to locate your Stardew Valley Installation directory.

If Steam and Stardew Valley are both installed in their default directories, the Stardew Valley Mod Manager should automatically prefill the directory. Once this is done, simply click "Continue" to complete the First-Run setup.

{% hint style="success" %}
If you don't currently have SMAPI installed, you will be prompted to install a bundled version of SMAPI. This however may not be the most up-to-date version of SMAPI so you may want to update this as soon as the setup is complete.
{% endhint %}

![](https://2096739802-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FsDlfx0Z9f9RxOmmht7vh%2Fuploads%2FJrR9iMhw9GvQSlS2jZ16%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=d0dafcb2-e076-401f-b007-ed008f755e52)

{% hint style="info" %}
If you have the Steam version of Stardew Valley installed but you have it installed in a non standard location, the Stardew Valley Mod Manager may not be able to find your install directory. There is a GIF in the window that will show you how to get your Stardew Valley installation directory from within Steam.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
If you do not have the Steam version of Stardew Valley installed on your device, you will need get your Stardew Valley installation directory manually.
{% endhint %}

## Finding your Install Directory

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Steam Users" %}

* [ ] Open Steam to your Library
* [ ] Right click on "Stardew Valley" in your games list
* [ ] Click "Manage" then "Browse Local Files"
* [ ] Click the down arrow in the file location text box.
* [ ] Copy the text that appears in the file location text box.
* [ ] Try pasting this in the first-run setup as the directory. If you have the correct directory, it should state so underneath the text box:

![](https://2096739802-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FsDlfx0Z9f9RxOmmht7vh%2Fuploads%2FtgOWESwyrVSVPxLNgNM0%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=1bdc6907-53a5-4833-8c7e-6c080da01b61)
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Second Tab" %}

* [ ] Find the shortcut that you use to usually launch Stardew Valley.
* [ ] Right click on the shortcut and click "Properties"
* [ ] Find the "Target" text box.
* [ ] Copy the contents and try them in the First-Run Setup.
* [ ] If those do not return a valid Stardew Valley installation, try the following:

<table><thead><tr><th width="227.4811213509081">Platform</th><th width="388.8797246404876">Path</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>GOG</td><td>C:\Program Files (x86)\GOG Galaxy\Games\Stardew Valley</td></tr><tr><td>Microsoft Store/Xbox</td><td>C:\Program Files\ModifiableWindowsApps\Stardew Valley</td></tr></tbody></table>
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}