How to make mods for reskate

Make the mod with the official tools, then upload a zip to Thunderstore. This page only repeats what those docs state. Check the official docs before you publish.

Which tool do you use?

Game-data mods are built in ReSkate Studio. Plugins are a folder with manifest.json, reskate-plugin.json, and an entry script such as plugin/main.lua. Start with the plugin quickstart.

What goes in manifest.json?

Thunderstore and the mod folder both use manifest.json. The publishing docs require a name made of letters, digits, and underscores, a three-part version number, a description of at most 250 characters, a website URL or an empty string, and a dependencies list. The field rules are on Publishing on Thunderstore and the mod folder page.

How do you pack the zip?

Put manifest.json, icon.png, and README.md at the top of the zip. CHANGELOG.md is optional. The mod files sit beside those or in a folder below them. The icon is 256 by 256. Studio's Publish writes that zip for game-data mods. Upload it to the Thunderstore ReSkate community.

A package needs something the game can load, or it can be a mod pack whose manifest only lists other packages. The launcher refuses a package with neither. NSFW packages are not listed in the launcher. Check the official docs for the category you want before you upload.