SDK Installation: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 20:39, 14 August 2025

<SDK Docs

The Source SDK is freely available to all Steam users. It is used to develop mods and content for the Source 2006, Source 2007, Source 2013 and Team Fortress 2 branch engine branches. Valve games (running on Source 2013 branch, or Team Fortress 2 branch), usually have Source SDK tools installed by default.

Valve games since 2008 onward started to have their own SDK or Authoring Tools, and are engine versions that have no source code available to the public (except Alien Swarm):

Left 4 Dead Authoring Tools
Left 4 Dead 2 Authoring Tools
Alien Swarm - SDK (free to all, includes source code)
Portal 2 Authoring Tools
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Authoring Tools

Some Third-party games also have their own SDK or Authoring Tools (they may or may not have the source code available to the public):

Alien Swarm: Reactive Drop - SDK (free to all)
SiN Episodes SDK
The Ship SDK
Zombie Panic! Source Mod Tools

Note:Most of the Source SDK tools, such as Hammer, HLMV, etc... are exclusive to Windows only, but you can run them on Mac/Linux using Wine/Proton.

Tools Installation

Source 2013 (SteamPipe) & TF2 branch

With the introduction of Source 2013 branch and migration to SteamPipe, Valve changed how authoring tools were distributed for Team Fortress 2, Counter-Strike Source, Day of Defeat: Source, and Half-Life 2, Half-Life 2: Deathmatch, Portal, as well as other Source 2013 games.

Previously these tools were distributed together under the "Source SDK" tool, which resided in a different folder than the games, had a SDK Launcher, and only supports Source 2009 and earlier. Valve have moved towards a model more similar to L4D, Alien Swarm, Portal 2 and CS:GO, with the exception of the SDK Launcher itself. The SDK tools or Authoring Tools are now shipped with the game by default. Note that the tools are only available for Windows.

Note:Check if the tools are downloaded on mac, or if they just don't work

The tools are located in the respective bin folder for the game (e.g: [steam]/steamapps/common/Team Fortress 2/bin) and are meant to be launched from the following batch or exe files:

hammer.bat - Hammer
faceposer.bat - Faceposer
hlmv.bat - Half-Life Model Viewer
studiomdl.exe - StudioMDL
vtex.bat - VTEX

Note:If the tools do not launch, check the environment variables on your computer and change VProject to the directory where gameinfo.txt resides
Also remember to not launch the .exe directly. Launch the .bat instead! The .bat file will detect where the game was installed, and set the VProject variable before launching the tools.

Note:For 64-bit games, 64-bit version of the SDK tools are also located in

bin\x64 folder (Team Fortress 2 branch), or

bin\win64 (Garry's Mod).

Bug:Team Fortress 2 branch - The 64-bit version of the StudioMDL is broken. Please use 32-bit version instead.

Note:Some games such as Half-Life: Source, and Half-Life Deathmatch: Source, do not come with FGD files for Hammer and needs to be manually configured.

Left 4 Dead to Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

Left 4 Dead Authoring Tools - Click here to install
Left 4 Dead 2 Authoring Tools - Click here to install
Alien Swarm - SDK - Click here to install
- Also includes game (SDK) source code for free.
Portal 2 Authoring Tools - Click here to install
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Authoring Tools (no longer updated) - Click here to install
- You must own Prime Status (brought via Steam or CS2, or having CS:GO purchased before Free-to-play) in order to download tools for CS:GO.

Source 2006/2007/2009/MP

Screenshot of the now-deprecated "Source SDK" launcher.

For previous version of the branch, you can download "Source SDK" (AppID: 211) tool. After installing, launch Source SDK tool, and you should be able to run Hammer, Faceposer or other tools.

When selecting the Engine Version, Source SDK Launcher will freeze for few seconds, so wait for it and don't click to avoid Windows message pops-up about Source SDK is not responding.

Downloading the source code and SDK Base

Note:For most users, we recommend using the latest available branch, such as Source SDK 2013. Alternatively, Alien Swarm branch can be also used, which have features from Left 4 Dead engine branch and above, however it is not cross-platform compatible by default.

The following instructions are appropriate if you need to download the source code. If you only need the authoring tools, then the instructions probably do not apply to you.

Team Fortress 2 branch

See: Setting up Source SDK Base 2013 Multiplayer

Note:Applies to

Team Fortress 2 branch.

Source 2013 (SP/MP)

See: Setting up Source SDK Base 2013 Singleplayer.

Note:Applies to both Singleplayer and legacy (pre-2025) Multiplayer branch.

Alien Swarm

See: Alien Swarm - SDK

Legacy branches - Source 2006 - 2009/MP

To install Source SDK tools for Source 2006, 2007, 2009 and MP branches, Click here to install the Source SDK. For future reference, or if that doesn't work:

Open the Steam window.
Go to the Library.
Change the list to Tools.
Find and double-click on the Source SDK item. You can also use the search bar to find the SDK.
Read over the dialog box and make sure you have enough space, then click Download and Install / Next to continue
The Source SDK will then be downloaded to your computer via Steam.

Source SDK Base

To install Source SDK Base (2006 and 2007), click the following links below:

Install/Run Source SDK Base 2006 (AppID: 215)
Install/Run Source SDK Base 2007 (AppID: 218)

Source code

Source code for the Orange Box (Source 2007) branch is available here on GitHub, or can be obtained in src_mod\ep1 folder inside SourceSDK\vpks\depot_211_dir.vpk after installing Source SDK.
Source code for the Episode One (Source 2006) branch is available here on GitHub, or can be obtained in src_mod\orangebox folder inside SourceSDK\vpks\depot_211_dir.vpk after installing Source SDK.

Source 2004

The Source SDK 2004 is no longer officially available. An archive of SDK 2004 is available here on GitHub.

Use

Once Steam has finished downloading you can launch the SDK from the Tools tab. You can also create a desktop shortcut by right-clicking on the SDK in the Tools tab and clicking Create desktop shortcut from the context menu that appears. (Recommended for quick access)

When you first run the SDK it will spend a long time extracting its downloaded archive onto your disk. This will not happen again until the SDK is next updated.

After that, you will be able to select a game and run any of the tools provided by the launcher. However, you will run into problems unless the game you want to work with is fully up to date. You can make sure it is up to date by launching the game and quitting once you get to the main menu, or you can try to verify game files on Steam.

Where do I go from here?

If you want to learn about how to create content for the Source Engine in general, the main page of the Source SDK documentation is a good place to start.

Bugs and Issues

Read the Source SDK Release Notes for information about the latest SDK release.
See the Source SDK FAQ for answers to general SDK questions.
For level design and Hammer editor issues, see the Level Design FAQ.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{otherlang2
+{{LanguageBar}}
-| az = SDK Installation:az
+{{Source topicon}}{{Srcsdk topicon}}{{Subpage| [[SDK Docs]] }}
-| de = SDK Installation:de
-| cs = SDK Installation:cs
-| es = SDK Installation:es
-| fr = SDK Installation:fr
-| it = SDK Installation:it
-| ru = SDK Installation:ru
-| tr = SDK Installation:tr
-| ka = SDK_Installation:ka
-| zh-cn = SDK Installation:zh-cn
-| zh-tw = SDK Installation:zh-tw
-| ko = SDK Installation:ko
-}} {{toc-right}}
-'''The Source SDK is freely available to all Steam users.''' It is used to develop mods and content for the [[Source 2006]], [[Source 2007]] and [[Source 2009]] engine branches.
+{{Toc-right}}
+'''The {{srcsdk|3.1.nolink}} is freely available to all Steam users.''' It is used to develop mods and content for the [[Source 2006]], [[Source 2007]], [[Source 2013]] and {{tf2branch|1}} engine branches. Valve games (running on {{src13|1}} branch, or {{tf2branch|1}}), usually have Source SDK tools installed by default.
-More recent Valve games each have their own SDK or Authoring Tools:
+Valve games since 2008 onward started to have their own SDK or Authoring Tools, and are engine versions that have no source code available to the public (except Alien Swarm):
-* {{l4d}} [[Left 4 Dead Authoring Tools]]
+<!-- TODO: use (Game name)/Authoring Tools links across all Source 1 games that use Authoring Tools, with exception to SiN Episodes, which was moved to "SiN Episodes/SDK".-->
-* {{l4d2}} [[Left 4 Dead 2 Authoring Tools]]
+* {{l4dtools|4}}
-* {{as}} [[Alien Swarm SDK]] (free to all)
+* {{l4d2tools|4}}
-* {{portal2}} [[Authoring Tools/SDK (Portal 2)|Portal 2 Authoring Tools]]
+* {{astools|4}} (free to all, includes source code)
-* {{csgo}} [[Authoring_Tools/SDK_(CSGO)|Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Authoring Tools]]
+* {{portal2tools|4}}
+* {{csgotools|4}}
-("Authoring Tools" means that source code is not provided.)
+Some Third-party games also have their own SDK or Authoring Tools (they may or may not have the source code available to the public):
+* {{asrdtools|4}} (free to all)
+* {{Sinetools|4}}
+* {{ship}} [[The Ship SDK]]
+* {{zps}} [[Zombie Panic! Source SDK|Zombie Panic! Source Mod Tools]]
-== Authoring tools currently shipped as beta with their respective games ==
+{{Note|Most of the Source SDK tools, such as {{hammer|1}}, {{hlmv|1}}, etc... are exclusive to [[Windows]] only, but you can run them on Mac/Linux using Wine/Proton.}}
-We're in the process of changing how the authoring tools are distributed for the following games:
+== Tools Installation ==
+=== Source 2013 (SteamPipe) & TF2 branch<span id="SteamPipe migration"></span> ===
+With the introduction of {{src13|1}} branch and migration to [[SteamPipe]], Valve changed how authoring tools were distributed for [[Team Fortress 2]], [[Counter-Strike Source]], [[Day of Defeat: Source]], and
+{{Hl2|1}}, [[Half-Life 2: Deathmatch]], {{portal|1}}, as well as other {{src13|4}} games.
-* Team Fortress 2
+Previously these tools were distributed together under the "'''Source SDK'''" tool, which resided in a different folder than the games, had a SDK Launcher, and only supports {{src09|4}} and earlier. Valve have moved towards a model more similar to L4D, Alien Swarm, Portal 2 and CS:GO, with the exception of the SDK Launcher itself. The SDK tools or Authoring Tools are now shipped with the game by default. Note that the tools are only available for Windows. {{note|Check if the tools are downloaded on mac, or if they just don't work}}
-* Counter-strike: Source
-* Day of Defeat: Source
-* Half-Life: Deathmatch
-Previously these tools were distributed together in a single package (the "Source SDK" application), which resided in a totally different folder from the games.  We're moving towards a model more similar to L4D and CS:GO.  The SDK tools are currently shipped with the game by default, so all you need to do to get the tools is launch the game to sync it to the latest build.
+The tools are located in the respective bin folder for the game (e.g: <code>[steam]/steamapps/common/Team Fortress 2/bin</code>) and are meant to be launched from the following batch or exe files:
-Now look in the bin folder.  (E.g: [steam]/steamapps/common/Team Fortress 2/bin)  You should see several new batch files in the bin folder, which can be used to setup the proper environment and launch the tools:
+* {{code|hammer.bat}} - {{hammer|1}}
+* {{code|faceposer.bat}} - {{faceposer|1|nt=0}}
+* {{code|hlmv.bat}} - [[Half-Life_Model_Viewer_(Source)|Half-Life Model Viewer]]
+* {{code|studiomdl.exe}} - [[StudioMDL (Source)|StudioMDL]]
+* {{code|vtex.bat}} - [[VTEX]]
-* hammer.bat
+{{note|If the tools do not launch, check the environment variables on your computer and change VProject to the directory where gameinfo.txt resides<br>Also remember to not launch the .exe directly. Launch the .bat instead! The .bat file will detect where the game was installed, and set the VProject variable before launching the tools.}}
-* faceposer.bat
+{{Note|For 64-bit games, 64-bit version of the SDK tools are also located in {{path|bin\x64}} folder ({{tf2branch|1}}), or {{path|bin\win64}} ({{gmod|1}}).
-* hlmv.bat
+{{Bug|hidetested=1|{{tf2branch|1}} - The 64-bit version of the StudioMDL is broken. Please use 32-bit version instead.}}
-* stdudiomdl.bat
+}}
-* vtex.bat
+{{Note|Some games such as {{hls|1}}, and {{hldms|1}}, do not come with [[FGD]] files for Hammer and needs to be [[Configuring_Hammer_for_Half-Life:_Source|manually configured]].}}
-Use these batch files to launch the tools.  The SDK launcher is no longer used.
+=== {{l4d|name}} to {{csgo|name}} ===
+* {{l4dtools|2}} - {{Steam|install/513|Click here to install}}
+* {{l4d2tools|2}} - {{Steam|install/563|Click here to install}}
+* {{astools|2}} - {{Steam|install/640|Click here to install}}
+** Also includes game (SDK) source code for free.
+* {{portal2tools|2}} - {{Steam|install/629|Click here to install}}
+* {{csgotools|2}} (no longer updated) - {{Steam|install/745|Click here to install}}
+** You must own Prime Status (brought via Steam or CS2, or having CS:GO purchased before Free-to-play) in order to download tools for CS:GO.
-If you have issues getting these to launch, running set_sdk_env.bat first '''may''' fix the problem.
+=== Source 2006/2007/2009/MP ===
+[[File:Source SDK Launcher screenshot.png|220px|right|thumb|Screenshot of the now-deprecated "Source SDK" launcher.]]
+For previous version of the branch, you can download "'''Source SDK'''" (AppID: 211) tool. After installing, launch Source SDK tool, and you should be able to run Hammer, Faceposer or other tools.
-== Installation of source code and launcher  ==
+When selecting the Engine Version, Source SDK Launcher will freeze for few seconds, so wait for it and don't click to avoid Windows message pops-up about Source SDK is not responding.
-The following instructions are appropriate if you need to download Source code.  If you only need the authoring tools, they probably do not apply to you.
+== Downloading the source code and SDK Base  ==
+{{Note|For most users, we recommend using the latest available branch, such as [[Source SDK 2013]]. Alternatively, Alien Swarm branch can be also used, which have features from {{l4dbranch|1}} and above, however it is not cross-platform compatible by default.}}
+The following instructions are appropriate if you need to download the source code. If you only need the authoring tools, then the instructions probably do not apply to you.
-See: [[SDK2013 GettingStarted]] for the latest instructions.
+=== Team Fortress 2 branch ===
+See: [[Setting up Source SDK Base 2013 Multiplayer]]
+{{Note|Applies to {{Tf2branch|4}}.}}
-The old instructions are below:
+=== Source 2013 (SP/MP) ===
+See: [[Setting up Source SDK Base 2013 Singleplayer]].
+{{Note|Applies to both '''Singleplayer''' and legacy (pre-2025) '''Multiplayer''' branch.}}
-[steam://run/211 Click here to install the Source SDK.] For future reference, or if that doesn't work:
+=== Alien Swarm ===
+See: {{astools|4}}
+=== Legacy branches - Source 2006 - 2009/MP ===
+To install Source SDK tools for Source 2006, 2007, 2009 and MP branches, {{Steam App Install|id=211|name=Source SDK}}.
+For future reference, or if that doesn't work:
 # Open the Steam window.
 # Go to the '''Library'''.
 # Change the list to '''Tools'''.
-# Find and double-click on the '''Source SDK''' item.
+# Find and double-click on the '''Source SDK''' item. You can also use the search bar to find the SDK.
-# Read over the dialog box and click '''Download and Install''' / '''Next''' to continue
+# Read over the dialog box and make sure you have enough space, then click '''Download and Install''' / '''Next''' to continue
 # The Source SDK will then be downloaded to your computer via Steam.
+==== Source SDK Base ====
+To install Source SDK Base (2006 and 2007), click the following links below:
+*[steam://rungameid/215 Install/Run Source SDK Base 2006] (AppID: 215)
+*[steam://rungameid/218 Install/Run Source SDK Base 2007] (AppID: 218)
+==== Source code ====
+* Source code for the Orange Box (Source 2007) branch is available [https://github.com/Source-SDK-Archives/source-sdk-orangebox here on GitHub], or can be obtained in {{code|src_mod\ep1}} folder inside {{path|SourceSDK\vpks\depot_211_dir|vpk}} after installing '''Source SDK'''.
+* Source code for the Episode One (Source 2006) branch is available [https://github.com/Source-SDK-Archives/source-sdk-2006-ep1 here on GitHub], or can be obtained in {{code|src_mod\orangebox}} folder inside {{path|SourceSDK\vpks\depot_211_dir|vpk}} after installing '''Source SDK'''.
-== Running ==
+=== Source 2004 ===
+* The Source SDK 2004 is no longer officially available. An archive of SDK 2004 is available [https://github.com/Source-SDK-Archives/source-sdk-2004 here] on GitHub.
-Once Steam has finished downloading you can launch the SDK from the Tools tab. You can also create a desktop shortcut by right-clicking on the SDK in the Tools tab and clicking '''Create desktop shortcut''' from the context menu that appears.
+== Use ==
+Once Steam has finished downloading you can launch the SDK from the Tools tab. You can also create a desktop shortcut by right-clicking on the SDK in the Tools tab and clicking '''Create desktop shortcut''' from the context menu that appears. (Recommended for quick access)
-When you first run the SDK it will spend a long time extracting its downloaded archive to loose files on your disk. This will not happen again until the SDK is next updated.
+When you first run the SDK it will spend a long time extracting its downloaded archive onto your disk. This will not happen again until the SDK is next updated.
-After that, you will be able to select a game and run any of the tools provided by the launcher. '''However,''' you will run into problems unless the game you want to work with is fully up to date. You can make sure it is by launching the game and quitting once you get to the main menu.
+After that, you will be able to select a game and run any of the tools provided by the launcher. '''However,''' you will run into problems unless the game you want to work with is fully up to date. You can make sure it is up to date by launching the game and quitting once you get to the main menu, or you can try to '''[https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/0C48-FCBD-DA71-93EB verify]''' game files on Steam.
 == Where do I go from here? ==
@@ Line 85: / Line 112: @@
 == See also ==
 * [[Cleanly reinstalling Steam]]
+{{SDK-navbox}}
 [[Category:Source SDK FAQ]]

SDK Installation: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 20:39, 14 August 2025

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