Modding:Modder Guide/Test and Troubleshoot

Creating SMAPI mods

---

• Get started
• Game fundamentals
• Test & troubleshoot
• Release
• API reference

  Basic SMAPI APIs:

  • Mod structure
  • Manifest
  • Events
  • Configuration
  • Load & edit content
  • Data
  • Input
  • Logging
  • Reflection
  • Multiplayer
  • Translation
  • Update checks
  • Utilities

  Advanced SMAPI APIs:

  • Content packs
  • Mod console commands
  • Mod integrations
  • Harmony patching

• Specific guides

← Modding:Index

This page helps solve common issues when creating mods. For issues using mods, see Modding:Player Guide/Troubleshooting.

Fix common build warnings

Make sure you check your Error List pane in Visual Studio (or equivalent in other IDEs) and fix any warnings. Here are some common ones:

Mismatch between the processor architecture...

Sample warning: "There was a mismatch between the processor architecture of the project being built "{0}" and the processor architecture of the reference "{1}". This mismatch may cause runtime failures."

That warning is normal. The error is saying that your build is set to 'Any CPU', but Stardew Valley is x86-only so it'll only work in x86 anyway. You can either ignore it, or change your platform target to x86.

This implicitly converts...

Sample warning: "This implicitly converts '{0}' from Net{1} to {2}, but Net{1} has unintuitive implicit conversion rules. Consider comparing against the actual value instead to avoid bugs. See https://smapi.io/buildmsg/avoid-implicit-net-field-cast for details."

Your code is referencing a net field, which can cause subtle bugs. The field you're referencing has an equivalent non-net property, like monster.Health (int) instead of monster.health (NetBool). Change your code to use the suggested property instead.

FieldName is a Net* field...

Sample warning: "'{0}' is a Net{1} field; consider using the {2} property instead. See https://smapi.io/buildmsg/avoid-net-field for details."

Your code is referencing a net field, which can cause subtle bugs. You should access the underlying value instead:

• For a reference type (i.e. one that can contain null), you can use the .Value property (or .FieldDict for a NetDictionary):

  if (building.indoors.Value == null)
  

  Or convert the value before comparison:

  GameLocation indoors = building.indoors.Value;
  if(indoors == null)
     // ...
  

• For a value type (i.e. one that can't contain null), check if the parent is null (if needed) and compare with .Value:

  if (item != null && item.category.Value == 0)
  

The FieldName field is obsolete...

Sample warning: "The 'Character.friendships' field is obsolete and should be replaced with 'friendshipData'. See https://smapi.io/buildmsg/avoid-obsolete-field for details."

You're referencing a field which should no longer be used. Use the suggested field name instead to fix it.

Ask for help

If you still need help, ask for help in #modding on the Stardew Valley Discord. The Stardew Valley modding community is very welcoming!