Useful Mods For Troubleshooting

In general you are fine with just showing your full log when starting any troubleshoot - if anything else is needed, your troubleshooter will just tell you. That said, some mods can offer additional value while troubleshooting. Below are those mods, roughly split into everyday essentials (safe and beneficial to run permanently) and situational tools (handy for debugging but either risky if left on 24/7 or just pointless overhead in normal play).

• Log Publisher from Hugslib
  The go-to for producing and sharing Hugslogs. Run it 24/7 if possible - or add it when starting any troubleshoot.

• Better Log
  Hides white informational text for easier error spotting, disables Zalgo text (even with dev mode on), removes line limits, and much more.
  1.12.2025 PSA: Not recompiled for 1.6; throws harmless error (ignore it). A 1.6 fork exists - use at your own risk; state unknown!

• Log After Def Error
  Adds source info for otherwise cryptic errors (specifically Def-related ones.) Logs the source of an erroring Def or patch failing - which isn't automatically the cause of an issue, but allows to further hunt down the root-cause.

• Performance Fish
  Adds some additional information to specific errors for easier investigation.
  1.12.2025 - PSA: the mod is currently not available for 1.6, highly recommended to not use any forks that claims so either!

• XML Extensions
  Common framework that adds optional XML-log info (only when the verbose setting is enabled in the mod's options). Many modlists already have it as a dependency. Usually not worth adding just for troubleshooting, but if it’s there, leave it. The author offers a standalone mod version just for the log-related features - use that instead if you want the extras without the full framework.

• All Your Base
  Flags outdated Def- & base-overwrites and similar legacy practices. Rarely needed these days, but still catches the occasional old offenders. Primarily a modder self-check tool; can help troubleshooting in edge cases though. Never enable verbose logging - its auto-repair will edit files and might break game-files! Only activate if a troubleshooter explicitly asks.
  1.12.2025 - PSA: the mod is currently not available for 1.6!

• Better Stacktraces
  Intended to improve stacktrace readability, but currently makes some logs harder to parse. Void Archives is trying to reach the author for fixes. Until then: remove it before sharing logs - most troubleshooters will just ask you to do so anyway. Keep it subscribed for now in case it gets patched.

• Mod Error Checker
  Helper-mod that flags bad code in mods - but can cause false positives at times.
  Keep it off your list for regular troubleshooting; add only if told.

• Visual Exceptions
  Same as Mod Error Checker: can cause misleads by blaming the wrong mod. Just visualizes stacktraces - they usually still need proper investigation. Auto-detection might be every troubleshooter's dream, but reality's rarely that simple.

• Visible Error Logs
  Generally useless. For modded play, keep dev mode on (highly recommended). Better Log offers superior features anyway. In-game error logging might sound nice but better drop the idea - troubleshooters want full (Hugs)logs to begin with.

• Mid-saver Saver
  Helps remove mods from ongoing saves without leftover errors - but while it's powerful it can also be dangerous, potentially killing your save-file if misused. (Dedicated Void Archives guide coming later.) Keep it off your list unless you know what you're doing or get specific instructions. No 24/7 use: just raises accidental save-destruction risk. You've been warned!

• Visual XML Patches
  Pulls an in-game list of every patch on a Def from any mod. Great for situations with multiple mods patching the same things, resulting in startup errors, mismatched item states/values, and more. Generally fine to run 24/7 (no performance hit), but also often not needed. Perfect mod to keep inactive until you need it.

• XML Document Viewer and Export
  Highly similar to Visual XML Patches, just different design philosophy. Same advice applies: have it ready for when it's useful, but no need for constant activation on average modlists.

• Ability To Read
  Mostly a joke mod with aggressive tone. Even if the intent is good, it can't fix the problem it targets - and the people who need the "reminder" almost never have it installed anyway. Useless for everyone else.

• Log Filter
  Yet another mod that duplicates "Better Log's" features, but worse. Advanced users might toy with it (but already have better options available). For everyone else it gives false confidence at best and creates harder-to-fix problems at worst. Keep it off your list!