Installing Wiremod and popular addons on your GMod server

Wiremod is one of the most iconic addons for Garry's Mod. It adds a complete wired and wireless electronics system that lets players build circuits, automated systems, screens and more. In this article you learn how to install Wiremod, which companion addons enhance it and how to get everything running on your server.

What is Wiremod?

Wiremod (Wire) is an addon that adds tools for building electronic circuits in Garry's Mod. With chips, switches, sensors, screens and Expression 2 (a scripting language) players can build anything: from automatic doors and alarm systems to full computers and robotic vehicles.

Wiremod is particularly popular on Sandbox servers, but is also used on DarkRP servers for advanced base building and on Build servers for technical projects.

Installing Wiremod via Steam Workshop

1. Go to the Wiremod Workshop page and note the Workshop ID.
2. Add the Workshop ID to the Workshop collection of your server (see the article on Workshop collections), or download the addon via SteamCMD.
3. If you install manually: move the addon to the garrysmod/addons/wire/ folder.
4. Restart the server.

The Workshop method is the simplest and ensures the addon is updated automatically.

Wiremod components

Wiremod consists of multiple packages:

Install at least the base package (Wire). Expression 2 is included in Wire by default. Starfall is a separate addon that you download separately.

Popular addons alongside Wiremod

These addons are often used together with Wiremod:

ACF (Armoured Combat Framework)

ACF adds realistic weapons, vehicle parts and armor simulation. Combined with Wire you can build fully functional tanks, planes and ships with working weapon systems.

Precision Tool

An indispensable tool for accurate building. It lets you position and rotate objects with millimeter precision. Essential for technical Wire projects.

Advanced Duplicator 2

Save your creations and share them with other players. Including all Wire connections and Expression 2 code. Without AdvDupe2 you have to rebuild every creation from scratch.

Prop Resizer

Adjusts the size of objects. Useful for detailed building projects where standard props do not have the right dimensions.

Expression 2: basics

Expression 2 (E2) is a scripting language within Wire that lets you program complex logic. Some examples:

• Automatic doors that open when approached
• Screens that display information (speed, direction, alerts)
• Autopilot systems for vehicles
• Chat commands that trigger actions

E2 scripts are written in the in-game editor and stored on the server. As server administrator you can set restrictions on E2 usage to prevent abuse: maximum number of operations per tick, maximum length and forbidden functions.

Server management and limits

Wire constructions can be heavy on server performance. Set limits:

• Wire Entity Limit: limit the number of Wire entities per player.
• E2 Ops Limit: limit the number of operations an E2 chip may perform per tick.
• Prop Limit: standard GMod setting; keep this reasonable (100 to 300 per player, depending on hardware).

Do players also need to install Wire?

If you offer Wiremod through the Steam Workshop collection of your server, players download the addon automatically when they connect. They do not need to do anything manually. Without a Workshop collection, players must download Wire manually, which can lead to errors.

Is Wiremod compatible with DarkRP?

Yes, but with caveats. On DarkRP servers Wire is sometimes restricted to certain jobs (such as Engineer) to prevent abuse. Expression 2 can be used for exploits if you do not set the operation limits properly. Use a tool restriction addon like FPP (Falco's Prop Protection) to control who can use which Wire tools.