refactor modloading and implement initial automatic reload code

19 files changed, 715 insertions, 412 deletions

diff --git a/NorthstarDLL/client/clientvideooverrides.cpp b/NorthstarDLL/client/clientvideooverrides.cpp
index ab78b943..d3362adc 100644
--- a/NorthstarDLL/client/clientvideooverrides.cpp
+++ b/NorthstarDLL/client/clientvideooverrides.cpp
@@ -13,11 +13,8 @@ void*, __fastcall, (const char* path, uint32_t flags))
 
 	// figure out which mod is handling the bink
 	Mod* pFileOwner = nullptr;
-	for (Mod& mod : g_pModManager->GetMods())
+	for (Mod& mod : g_pModManager->GetMods() | ModManager::FilterEnabled)
 	{
-		if (!mod.m_bEnabled)
-			continue;
-
 		if (std::find(mod.BinkVideos.begin(), mod.BinkVideos.end(), filename) != mod.BinkVideos.end())
 			pFileOwner = &mod;
 	}
diff --git a/NorthstarDLL/client/modlocalisation.cpp b/NorthstarDLL/client/modlocalisation.cpp
index db138315..04719934 100644
--- a/NorthstarDLL/client/modlocalisation.cpp
+++ b/NorthstarDLL/client/modlocalisation.cpp
@@ -26,10 +26,9 @@ void, __fastcall, (void* pVguiLocalize))
 // clang-format on
 {
 	// load all mod localization manually, so we keep track of all files, not just previously loaded ones
-	for (Mod& mod : g_pModManager->GetMods())
-		if (mod.m_bEnabled)
-			for (std::string& localisationFile : mod.LocalisationFiles)
-				CLocalize__AddFile(g_pVguiLocalize, localisationFile.c_str(), nullptr, false);
+	for (Mod& mod : g_pModManager->GetMods() | ModManager::FilterEnabled)
+		for (std::string& localisationFile : mod.LocalisationFiles)
+			CLocalize__AddFile(g_pVguiLocalize, localisationFile.c_str(), nullptr, false);
 
 	spdlog::info("reloading localization...");
 	CLocalize__ReloadLocalizationFiles(pVguiLocalize);
@@ -44,10 +43,9 @@ void, __fastcall, (void* self))
 
 	// previously we did this in CLocalize::AddFile, but for some reason it won't properly overwrite localization from
 	// files loaded previously if done there, very weird but this works so whatever
-	for (Mod& mod : g_pModManager->GetMods())
-		if (mod.m_bEnabled)
-			for (std::string& localisationFile : mod.LocalisationFiles)
-				CLocalize__AddFile(g_pVguiLocalize, localisationFile.c_str(), nullptr, false);
+	for (Mod& mod : g_pModManager->GetMods() | ModManager::FilterEnabled)
+		for (std::string& localisationFile : mod.LocalisationFiles)
+			CLocalize__AddFile(g_pVguiLocalize, localisationFile.c_str(), nullptr, false);
 }
 
 ON_DLL_LOAD_CLIENT("localize.dll", Localize, (CModule module))
diff --git a/NorthstarDLL/config/profile.cpp b/NorthstarDLL/config/profile.cpp
index 7518a2b3..270ec4d3 100644
--- a/NorthstarDLL/config/profile.cpp
+++ b/NorthstarDLL/config/profile.cpp
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 #include "dedicated/dedicated.h"
 #include <string>
 
-std::string GetNorthstarPrefix()
+fs::path GetNorthstarPrefix()
 {
 	return NORTHSTAR_FOLDER_PREFIX;
 }
@@ -40,5 +40,5 @@ void InitialiseNorthstarPrefix()
 	// set the console title to show the current profile
 	// dont do this on dedi as title contains useful information on dedi and setting title breaks it as well
 	if (!IsDedicatedServer())
-		SetConsoleTitleA((std::string("NorthstarLauncher | ") + NORTHSTAR_FOLDER_PREFIX).c_str());
+		SetConsoleTitleA((fs::path("NorthstarLauncher | ") / NORTHSTAR_FOLDER_PREFIX).string().c_str());
 }
diff --git a/NorthstarDLL/config/profile.h b/NorthstarDLL/config/profile.h
index 9f3087fb..8e9d2ce9 100644
--- a/NorthstarDLL/config/profile.h
+++ b/NorthstarDLL/config/profile.h
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 #pragma once
 #include <string>
 
-static std::string NORTHSTAR_FOLDER_PREFIX;
+static fs::path NORTHSTAR_FOLDER_PREFIX;
 
 void InitialiseNorthstarPrefix();
-std::string GetNorthstarPrefix();
+fs::path GetNorthstarPrefix();
diff --git a/NorthstarDLL/core/convar/concommand.cpp b/NorthstarDLL/core/convar/concommand.cpp
index 094fa813..49c8c806 100644
--- a/NorthstarDLL/core/convar/concommand.cpp
+++ b/NorthstarDLL/core/convar/concommand.cpp
@@ -127,16 +127,18 @@ typedef void (*ConCommandConstructorType)(
 	ConCommand* newCommand, const char* name, FnCommandCallback_t callback, const char* helpString, int flags, void* parent);
 ConCommandConstructorType ConCommandConstructor;
 
-void RegisterConCommand(const char* name, FnCommandCallback_t callback, const char* helpString, int flags)
+ConCommand* RegisterConCommand(const char* name, FnCommandCallback_t callback, const char* helpString, int flags)
 {
 	spdlog::info("Registering ConCommand {}", name);
 
 	// no need to free this ever really, it should exist as long as game does
 	ConCommand* newCommand = new ConCommand;
 	ConCommandConstructor(newCommand, name, callback, helpString, flags, nullptr);
+
+	return newCommand;
 }
 
-void RegisterConCommand(
+ConCommand* RegisterConCommand(
 	const char* name, FnCommandCallback_t callback, const char* helpString, int flags, FnCommandCompletionCallback completionCallback)
 {
 	spdlog::info("Registering ConCommand {}", name);
@@ -145,6 +147,8 @@ void RegisterConCommand(
 	ConCommand* newCommand = new ConCommand;
 	ConCommandConstructor(newCommand, name, callback, helpString, flags, nullptr);
 	newCommand->m_pCompletionCallback = completionCallback;
+
+	return newCommand;
 }
 
 ON_DLL_LOAD("engine.dll", ConCommand, (CModule module))
diff --git a/NorthstarDLL/core/convar/concommand.h b/NorthstarDLL/core/convar/concommand.h
index c170c6a5..81c3cf6d 100644
--- a/NorthstarDLL/core/convar/concommand.h
+++ b/NorthstarDLL/core/convar/concommand.h
@@ -134,6 +134,6 @@ class ConCommand : public ConCommandBase
 	int unk1; // 0x005C
 }; // Size: 0x0060
 
-void RegisterConCommand(const char* name, void (*callback)(const CCommand&), const char* helpString, int flags);
-void RegisterConCommand(
+ConCommand* RegisterConCommand(const char* name, void (*callback)(const CCommand&), const char* helpString, int flags);
+ConCommand* RegisterConCommand(
 	const char* name, void (*callback)(const CCommand&), const char* helpString, int flags, FnCommandCompletionCallback completionCallback);
diff --git a/NorthstarDLL/core/filesystem/filesystem.cpp b/NorthstarDLL/core/filesystem/filesystem.cpp
index bfdfdb19..8ca73130 100644
--- a/NorthstarDLL/core/filesystem/filesystem.cpp
+++ b/NorthstarDLL/core/filesystem/filesystem.cpp
@@ -147,11 +147,8 @@ HOOK(MountVPKHook, MountVPK, VPKData*, , (IFileSystem * fileSystem, const char*
 	NS::log::fs->info("MountVPK {}", pVpkPath);
 	VPKData* ret = MountVPK(fileSystem, pVpkPath);
 
-	for (Mod mod : g_pModManager->GetMods())
+	for (Mod mod : g_pModManager->GetMods() | ModManager::FilterEnabled)
 	{
-		if (!mod.m_bEnabled)
-			continue;
-
 		for (ModVPKEntry& vpkEntry : mod.Vpks)
 		{
 			// if we're autoloading, just load no matter what
diff --git a/NorthstarDLL/core/filesystem/rpakfilesystem.cpp b/NorthstarDLL/core/filesystem/rpakfilesystem.cpp
index 2bddd8fe..82747bdb 100644
--- a/NorthstarDLL/core/filesystem/rpakfilesystem.cpp
+++ b/NorthstarDLL/core/filesystem/rpakfilesystem.cpp
@@ -90,11 +90,8 @@ void* PakLoadManager::LoadFile(const char* path)
 void HandlePakAliases(char** map)
 {
 	// convert the pak being loaded to it's aliased one, e.g. aliasing mp_hub_timeshift => sp_hub_timeshift
-	for (Mod& mod : g_pModManager->GetMods() | std::views::reverse)
+	for (Mod& mod : g_pModManager->GetMods() | ModManager::FilterEnabled | std::views::reverse)
 	{
-		if (!mod.m_bEnabled)
-			continue;
-
 		if (mod.RpakAliases.find(*map) != mod.RpakAliases.end())
 		{
 			*map = &mod.RpakAliases[*map][0];
@@ -106,11 +103,8 @@ void HandlePakAliases(char** map)
 void LoadPreloadPaks()
 {
 	// note, loading from ./ is necessary otherwise paks will load from gamedir/r2/paks
-	for (Mod& mod : g_pModManager->GetMods())
+	for (Mod& mod : g_pModManager->GetMods() | ModManager::FilterEnabled)
 	{
-		if (!mod.m_bEnabled)
-			continue;
-
 		// need to get a relative path of mod to mod folder
 		fs::path modPakPath("./" / mod.m_ModDirectory / "paks");
 
@@ -123,11 +117,8 @@ void LoadPreloadPaks()
 void LoadPostloadPaks(const char* pPath)
 {
 	// note, loading from ./ is necessary otherwise paks will load from gamedir/r2/paks
-	for (Mod& mod : g_pModManager->GetMods())
+	for (Mod& mod : g_pModManager->GetMods() | ModManager::FilterEnabled)
 	{
-		if (!mod.m_bEnabled)
-			continue;
-
 		// need to get a relative path of mod to mod folder
 		fs::path modPakPath("./" / mod.m_ModDirectory / "paks");
 
diff --git a/NorthstarDLL/dllmain.cpp b/NorthstarDLL/dllmain.cpp
index cd52940d..31243e6d 100644
--- a/NorthstarDLL/dllmain.cpp
+++ b/NorthstarDLL/dllmain.cpp
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ bool LoadPlugins()
 
 	std::vector<fs::path> paths;
 
-	std::string pluginPath = GetNorthstarPrefix() + "/plugins";
+	fs::path pluginPath = GetNorthstarPrefix() / "plugins";
 	if (!fs::exists(pluginPath))
 	{
 		spdlog::warn("Could not find a plugins directory. Skipped loading plugins");
diff --git a/NorthstarDLL/logging/crashhandler.cpp b/NorthstarDLL/logging/crashhandler.cpp
index 3427e10a..baa75923 100644
--- a/NorthstarDLL/logging/crashhandler.cpp
+++ b/NorthstarDLL/logging/crashhandler.cpp
@@ -34,16 +34,15 @@ void PrintExceptionLog(ExceptionLog& exc)
 	if (g_pModManager)
 	{
 		spdlog::error("Loaded mods: ");
-		for (const Mod& mod : g_pModManager->GetMods())
-		{
-			if (mod.m_bEnabled)
-				spdlog::error("{} {}", mod.Name, mod.Version);
-		}
+		for (const Mod& mod : g_pModManager->GetMods() | ModManager::FilterEnabled)
+			spdlog::error("{} {}", mod.Name, mod.Version);
 	}
+
 	spdlog::error(exc.cause);
 	// If this was a runtime error, print the message
 	if (exc.runtimeInfo.length() != 0)
 		spdlog::error("\"{}\"", exc.runtimeInfo);
+
 	spdlog::error("At: {} + {}", exc.trace[0].name, exc.trace[0].relativeAddress);
 	spdlog::error("");
 	spdlog::error("Stack trace:");
@@ -236,7 +235,7 @@ void CreateMiniDump(EXCEPTION_POINTERS* exceptionInfo)
 	time_t time = std::time(nullptr);
 	tm currentTime = *std::localtime(&time);
 	std::stringstream stream;
-	stream << std::put_time(&currentTime, (GetNorthstarPrefix() + "/logs/nsdump%Y-%m-%d %H-%M-%S.dmp").c_str());
+	stream << std::put_time(&currentTime, (GetNorthstarPrefix() / "logs/nsdump%Y-%m-%d %H-%M-%S.dmp").string().c_str());
 
 	auto hMinidumpFile = CreateFileA(stream.str().c_str(), GENERIC_WRITE, FILE_SHARE_READ, 0, CREATE_ALWAYS, FILE_ATTRIBUTE_NORMAL, 0);
 	if (hMinidumpFile)
diff --git a/NorthstarDLL/logging/logging.cpp b/NorthstarDLL/logging/logging.cpp
index 8b906911..200d861c 100644
--- a/NorthstarDLL/logging/logging.cpp
+++ b/NorthstarDLL/logging/logging.cpp
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ void CreateLogFiles()
 			tm currentTime = *std::localtime(&time);
 			std::stringstream stream;
 
-			stream << std::put_time(&currentTime, (GetNorthstarPrefix() + "/logs/nslog%Y-%m-%d %H-%M-%S.txt").c_str());
+			stream << std::put_time(&currentTime, (GetNorthstarPrefix() / "logs/nslog%Y-%m-%d %H-%M-%S.txt").string().c_str());
 			auto sink = std::make_shared<spdlog::sinks::basic_file_sink_mt>(stream.str(), false);
 			sink->set_pattern("[%H:%M:%S] [%n] [%l] %v");
 			for (auto& logger : loggers)
diff --git a/NorthstarDLL/mods/compiled/kb_act.cpp b/NorthstarDLL/mods/compiled/kb_act.cpp
index f3ad460f..83f469f4 100644
--- a/NorthstarDLL/mods/compiled/kb_act.cpp
+++ b/NorthstarDLL/mods/compiled/kb_act.cpp
@@ -17,11 +17,8 @@ void ModManager::BuildKBActionsList()
 	// write vanilla file's content to compiled file
 	soCompiledKeys << R2::ReadVPKOriginalFile(KB_ACT_PATH);
 
-	for (Mod& mod : GetMods())
+	for (Mod& mod : GetMods() | ModManager::FilterEnabled)
 	{
-		if (!mod.m_bEnabled)
-			continue;
-
 		// write content of each modded file to compiled file
 		std::ifstream siModKeys(mod.m_ModDirectory / "kb_act.lst");
 
diff --git a/NorthstarDLL/mods/compiled/modkeyvalues.cpp b/NorthstarDLL/mods/compiled/modkeyvalues.cpp
index 051b193e..df35de64 100644
--- a/NorthstarDLL/mods/compiled/modkeyvalues.cpp
+++ b/NorthstarDLL/mods/compiled/modkeyvalues.cpp
@@ -25,11 +25,8 @@ void ModManager::TryBuildKeyValues(const char* filename)
 
 	// copy over patch kv files, and add #bases to new file, last mods' patches should be applied first
 	// note: #include should be identical but it's actually just broken, thanks respawn
-	for (Mod& mod : GetMods() | std::views::reverse)
+	for (Mod& mod : GetMods() | ModManager::FilterEnabled | std::views::reverse)
 	{
-		if (mod.m_bEnabled)
-			continue;
-
 		size_t fileHash = STR_HASH(normalisedPath);
 		auto modKv = mod.KeyValues.find(fileHash);
 		if (modKv != mod.KeyValues.end())
diff --git a/NorthstarDLL/mods/compiled/modscriptsrson.cpp b/NorthstarDLL/mods/compiled/modscriptsrson.cpp
index b24aabe9..1a27aefa 100644
--- a/NorthstarDLL/mods/compiled/modscriptsrson.cpp
+++ b/NorthstarDLL/mods/compiled/modscriptsrson.cpp
@@ -17,11 +17,8 @@ void ModManager::BuildScriptsRson()
 	std::string scriptsRson = R2::ReadVPKOriginalFile(VPK_SCRIPTS_RSON_PATH);
 	scriptsRson += "\n\n// START MODDED SCRIPT CONTENT\n\n"; // newline before we start custom stuff
 
-	for (Mod& mod : GetMods())
+	for (Mod& mod : GetMods() | ModManager::FilterEnabled)
 	{
-		if (!mod.m_bEnabled)
-			continue;
-
 		// this isn't needed at all, just nice to have imo
 		scriptsRson += "// MOD: ";
 		scriptsRson += mod.Name;
diff --git a/NorthstarDLL/mods/modmanager.cpp b/NorthstarDLL/mods/modmanager.cpp
index 5011f0fb..1c3c416d 100644
--- a/NorthstarDLL/mods/modmanager.cpp
+++ b/NorthstarDLL/mods/modmanager.cpp
@@ -3,10 +3,12 @@
 #include "core/convar/convar.h"
 #include "core/convar/concommand.h"
 #include "client/audio.h"
+#include "engine/r2engine.h"
 #include "masterserver/masterserver.h"
 #include "core/filesystem/filesystem.h"
 #include "core/filesystem/rpakfilesystem.h"
 #include "config/profile.h"
+#include "dedicated/dedicated.h"
 
 #include "rapidjson/error/en.h"
 #include "rapidjson/document.h"
@@ -20,14 +22,15 @@
 
 ModManager* g_pModManager;
 
-Mod::Mod(fs::path modDir, char* jsonBuf)
+Mod::Mod(fs::path modDir, std::string sJson, bool bRemote)
 {
 	m_bWasReadSuccessfully = false;
 
 	m_ModDirectory = modDir;
+	m_bRemote = bRemote;
 
 	rapidjson_document modJson;
-	modJson.Parse<rapidjson::ParseFlag::kParseCommentsFlag | rapidjson::ParseFlag::kParseTrailingCommasFlag>(jsonBuf);
+	modJson.Parse<rapidjson::ParseFlag::kParseCommentsFlag | rapidjson::ParseFlag::kParseTrailingCommasFlag>(sJson);
 
 	// fail if parse error
 	if (modJson.HasParseError())
@@ -96,8 +99,6 @@ Mod::Mod(fs::path modDir, char* jsonBuf)
 			if (!convarObj.IsObject() || !convarObj.HasMember("Name") || !convarObj.HasMember("DefaultValue"))
 				continue;
 
-			// have to allocate this manually, otherwise convar registration will break
-			// unfortunately this causes us to leak memory on reload, unsure of a way around this rn
 			ModConVar convar;
 			convar.Name = convarObj["Name"].GetString();
 			convar.DefaultValue = convarObj["DefaultValue"].GetString();
@@ -137,12 +138,11 @@ Mod::Mod(fs::path modDir, char* jsonBuf)
 				continue;
 			}
 
-			// have to allocate this manually, otherwise concommand registration will break
-			// unfortunately this causes us to leak memory on reload, unsure of a way around this rn
 			ModConCommand concommand;
 			concommand.Name = concommandObj["Name"].GetString();
 			concommand.Function = concommandObj["Function"].GetString();
 			concommand.Context = ScriptContextFromString(concommandObj["Context"].GetString());
+
 			if (concommand.Context == ScriptContext::INVALID)
 			{
 				spdlog::warn("Mod ConCommand {} has invalid context {}", concommand.Name, concommandObj["Context"].GetString());
@@ -160,9 +160,7 @@ Mod::Mod(fs::path modDir, char* jsonBuf)
 			{
 				// read raw integer flags
 				if (concommandObj["Flags"].IsInt())
-				{
 					concommand.Flags = concommandObj["Flags"].GetInt();
-				}
 				else if (concommandObj["Flags"].IsString())
 				{
 					// parse cvar flags from string
@@ -171,6 +169,13 @@ Mod::Mod(fs::path modDir, char* jsonBuf)
 				}
 			}
 
+			// for commands, client should always be FCVAR_CLIENTDLL, and server should always be FCVAR_GAMEDLL
+			if (concommand.Context == ScriptContext::CLIENT)
+				concommand.Flags |= FCVAR_CLIENTDLL;
+			else if (concommand.Context == ScriptContext::SERVER)
+				concommand.Flags |= FCVAR_GAMEDLL;
+
+
 			ConCommands.push_back(concommand);
 		}
 	}
@@ -287,6 +292,9 @@ ModManager::ModManager()
 	);
 	m_hKBActHash = STR_HASH("scripts\\kb_act.lst");
 
+	m_LastModLoadState = nullptr;
+	m_ModLoadState = new ModLoadState;
+
 	LoadMods();
 }
 
@@ -311,12 +319,12 @@ auto ModConCommandCallback(const CCommand& command)
 	std::string sCommandName = command.Arg(0);
 
 	// Find the mod this command belongs to
-	for (Mod& mod : g_pModManager->GetMods())
+	for (Mod& mod : g_pModManager->GetMods() | ModManager::FilterEnabled)
 	{
 		auto res = std::find_if(
 			mod.ConCommands.begin(),
 			mod.ConCommands.end(),
-			[&sCommandName](const ModConCommand* other) { return other->Name == sCommandName; });
+			[&sCommandName](const ModConCommand& other) { return other.Name == sCommandName; });
 
 		if (res != mod.ConCommands.end())
 		{
@@ -342,81 +350,151 @@ auto ModConCommandCallback(const CCommand& command)
 	};
 }
 
+
+
+
 void ModManager::LoadMods()
 {
+	// reset state of all currently loaded mods, if we've loaded once already
 	if (m_bHasLoadedMods)
 		UnloadMods();
 
-	std::vector<fs::path> modDirs;
-
 	// ensure dirs exist
-	fs::remove_all(GetCompiledAssetsPath());
 	fs::create_directories(GetModFolderPath());
 	fs::create_directories(GetRemoteModFolderPath());
 
-	m_DependencyConstants.clear();
+	// load definitions (mod.json files)
+	LoadModDefinitions();
 
-	// read enabled mods cfg
-	std::ifstream enabledModsStream(GetNorthstarPrefix() + "/enabledmods.json");
-	std::stringstream enabledModsStringStream;
+	// install mods (load all files)
+	InstallMods();
 
-	if (!enabledModsStream.fail())
+	// write json storing currently enabled mods
+	SaveEnabledMods();
+
+	// build modinfo obj for masterserver
+	rapidjson_document modinfoDoc;
+	auto& alloc = modinfoDoc.GetAllocator();
+	modinfoDoc.SetObject();
+	modinfoDoc.AddMember("Mods", rapidjson::kArrayType, alloc);
+
+	int currentModIndex = 0;
+	for (Mod& mod : GetMods())
 	{
-		while (enabledModsStream.peek() != EOF)
-			enabledModsStringStream << (char)enabledModsStream.get();
+		if (!mod.m_bEnabled || !mod.RequiredOnClient) // (!mod.RequiredOnClient && !mod.Pdiff.size())
+			continue;
 
-		enabledModsStream.close();
-		m_EnabledModsCfg.Parse<rapidjson::ParseFlag::kParseCommentsFlag | rapidjson::ParseFlag::kParseTrailingCommasFlag>(
-			enabledModsStringStream.str().c_str());
+		modinfoDoc["Mods"].PushBack(rapidjson::kObjectType, modinfoDoc.GetAllocator());
+		modinfoDoc["Mods"][currentModIndex].AddMember("Name", rapidjson::StringRef(&mod.Name[0]), modinfoDoc.GetAllocator());
+		modinfoDoc["Mods"][currentModIndex].AddMember("Version", rapidjson::StringRef(&mod.Version[0]), modinfoDoc.GetAllocator());
+		modinfoDoc["Mods"][currentModIndex].AddMember("RequiredOnClient", mod.RequiredOnClient, modinfoDoc.GetAllocator());
 
-		m_bHasEnabledModsCfg = m_EnabledModsCfg.IsObject();
+		currentModIndex++;
 	}
 
-	// get mod directories
-	std::filesystem::directory_iterator classicModsDir = fs::directory_iterator(GetModFolderPath());
-	std::filesystem::directory_iterator remoteModsDir = fs::directory_iterator(GetRemoteModFolderPath());
+	rapidjson::StringBuffer buffer;
+	buffer.Clear();
+	rapidjson::Writer<rapidjson::StringBuffer> writer(buffer);
+	modinfoDoc.Accept(writer);
+	g_pMasterServerManager->m_sOwnModInfoJson = std::string(buffer.GetString());
 
-	for (std::filesystem::directory_iterator modIterator : {classicModsDir, remoteModsDir})
-		for (fs::directory_entry dir : modIterator)
-			if (fs::exists(dir.path() / "mod.json"))
-				modDirs.push_back(dir.path());
+	// don't need this anymore
+	delete m_LastModLoadState;
+	m_LastModLoadState = nullptr;
 
-	for (fs::path modDir : modDirs)
+	m_bHasLoadedMods = true;
+}
+
+void ModManager::LoadModDefinitions()
+{
+	bool bHasEnabledModsCfg = false;
+	rapidjson_document enabledModsCfg;
+
+	// read enabled mods cfg
 	{
-		// read mod json file
-		std::ifstream jsonStream(modDir / "mod.json");
-		std::stringstream jsonStringStream;
+		std::ifstream enabledModsStream(GetNorthstarPrefix() / "enabledmods.json");
+		std::stringstream enabledModsStringStream;
 
-		// fail if no mod json
-		if (jsonStream.fail())
+		if (!enabledModsStream.fail())
 		{
-			spdlog::warn("Mod {} has a directory but no mod.json", modDir.string());
-			continue;
+			while (enabledModsStream.peek() != EOF)
+				enabledModsStringStream << (char)enabledModsStream.get();
+
+			enabledModsStream.close();
+			enabledModsCfg.Parse<rapidjson::ParseFlag::kParseCommentsFlag | rapidjson::ParseFlag::kParseTrailingCommasFlag>(
+				enabledModsStringStream.str().c_str());
+
+			bHasEnabledModsCfg = enabledModsCfg.IsObject();
 		}
+	}
+
+	// get mod directories for both local and remote mods
+	std::vector<std::tuple<fs::path, bool>> vModDirs;
+	for (fs::directory_entry dir : fs::directory_iterator(GetModFolderPath()))
+		if (fs::exists(dir.path() / "mod.json"))
+			vModDirs.push_back({dir.path(), false});
+
+	for (fs::directory_entry dir : fs::directory_iterator(GetRemoteModFolderPath()))
+		if (fs::exists(dir.path() / "mod.json"))
+			vModDirs.push_back({dir.path(), true});
+
+	for (auto remoteOrLocalModDir : vModDirs)
+	{
+		fs::path modDir = std::get<0>(remoteOrLocalModDir);
+		bool bRemote = std::get<1>(remoteOrLocalModDir);
 
-		while (jsonStream.peek() != EOF)
-			jsonStringStream << (char)jsonStream.get();
+		std::string sJsonString;
 
-		jsonStream.close();
+		// read mod json file
+		{
+			std::stringstream jsonStringStream;
+			std::ifstream jsonStream(modDir / "mod.json");
+
+			// fail if no mod json
+			if (jsonStream.fail())
+			{
+				spdlog::warn("Mod {} has a directory but no mod.json", modDir.string());
+				continue;
+			}
 
-		Mod mod(modDir, (char*)jsonStringStream.str().c_str());
+			while (jsonStream.peek() != EOF)
+				jsonStringStream << (char)jsonStream.get();
+
+			jsonStream.close();
+			sJsonString = jsonStringStream.str();
+		}
 
+		// read mod
+		Mod mod(modDir, sJsonString, bRemote);
+
+		// maybe this should be in InstallMods()? unsure
 		for (auto& pair : mod.DependencyConstants)
 		{
-			if (m_DependencyConstants.find(pair.first) != m_DependencyConstants.end() && m_DependencyConstants[pair.first] != pair.second)
+			if (m_ModLoadState->m_DependencyConstants.find(pair.first) != m_ModLoadState->m_DependencyConstants.end() &&
+				m_ModLoadState->m_DependencyConstants[pair.first] != pair.second)
 			{
 				spdlog::error("Constant {} in mod {} already exists in another mod.", pair.first, mod.Name);
 				mod.m_bWasReadSuccessfully = false;
 				break;
 			}
-			if (m_DependencyConstants.find(pair.first) == m_DependencyConstants.end())
-				m_DependencyConstants.emplace(pair);
+
+			if (m_ModLoadState->m_DependencyConstants.find(pair.first) == m_ModLoadState->m_DependencyConstants.end())
+				m_ModLoadState->m_DependencyConstants.emplace(pair);
 		}
 
-		if (m_bHasEnabledModsCfg && m_EnabledModsCfg.HasMember(mod.Name.c_str()))
-			mod.m_bEnabled = m_EnabledModsCfg[mod.Name.c_str()].IsTrue();
+		if (!bRemote)
+		{
+			if (bHasEnabledModsCfg && enabledModsCfg.HasMember(mod.Name.c_str()))
+				mod.m_bEnabled = enabledModsCfg[mod.Name.c_str()].IsTrue();
+			else
+				mod.m_bEnabled = true;
+		}
 		else
-			mod.m_bEnabled = true;
+		{
+			// todo: need custom logic for deciding whether to enable remote mods, but should be off by default
+			// in the future, remote mods should only be enabled explicitly at runtime, never based on any file or persistent state
+			mod.m_bEnabled = false;
+		}
 
 		if (mod.m_bWasReadSuccessfully)
 		{
@@ -426,7 +504,7 @@ void ModManager::LoadMods()
 			else
 				spdlog::info("Mod {} is disabled", mod.Name);
 
-			m_LoadedMods.push_back(mod);
+			m_ModLoadState->m_LoadedMods.push_back(mod);
 		}
 		else
 			spdlog::warn("Skipping loading mod file {}", (modDir / "mod.json").string());
@@ -434,353 +512,567 @@ void ModManager::LoadMods()
 
 	// sort by load prio, lowest-highest
 	std::sort(
-		m_ModLoadState.m_LoadedMods.begin(),
-		m_ModLoadState.m_LoadedMods.end(),
+		m_ModLoadState->m_LoadedMods.begin(),
+		m_ModLoadState->m_LoadedMods.end(),
 		[](Mod& a, Mod& b) { return a.LoadPriority < b.LoadPriority; });
+}
 
-	for (Mod& mod : m_LoadedMods)
+#pragma region Mod asset installation funcs
+void ModManager::InstallModCvars(Mod& mod)
+{
+	// register convars
+	for (ModConVar convar : mod.ConVars)
 	{
-		if (!mod.m_bEnabled)
-			continue;
+		ConVar* pVar = R2::g_pCVar->FindVar(convar.Name.c_str());
 
-		// register convars
-		for (ModConVar convar : mod.ConVars)
+		// make sure convar isn't registered yet, if it is then modify its flags, helpstring etc
+		if (!pVar)
 		{
-			ConVar* pVar = R2::g_pCVar->FindVar(convar.Name.c_str());
+			// allocate there here, we can delete later if needed
+			int nNameSize = convar.Name.size();
+			char* pName = new char[nNameSize + 1];
+			strncpy_s(pName, nNameSize + 1, convar.Name.c_str(), convar.Name.size());
 
-			// make sure convar isn't registered yet, if it is then modify its flags, helpstring etc
-			if (!pVar)
-				new ConVar(convar.Name.c_str(), convar.DefaultValue.c_str(), convar.Flags, convar.HelpString.c_str());
-			else
-			{
-				// TODO: should probably make sure this is actually a mod convar we're messing with
+			int nDefaultValueSize = convar.DefaultValue.size();
+			char* pDefaultValue = new char[nDefaultValueSize + 1];
+			strncpy_s(pDefaultValue, nDefaultValueSize + 1, convar.DefaultValue.c_str(), convar.DefaultValue.size());
 
-				pVar->m_ConCommandBase.m_nFlags = convar.Flags;
+			int nHelpSize = convar.HelpString.size();
+			char* pHelpString = new char[nHelpSize + 1];
+			strncpy_s(pHelpString, nHelpSize + 1, convar.HelpString.c_str(), convar.HelpString.size());
 
-				// unfortunately this leaks memory and we can't really not leak memory because we don't know who allocated this
-				// so we can't delete it without risking a crash
-				if (convar.HelpString.compare(pVar->GetHelpText()))
-				{
-					int nHelpSize = convar.HelpString.size();
-					char* pNewHelpString = new char[nHelpSize + 1];
-					strncpy_s(pNewHelpString, nHelpSize + 1, convar.HelpString.c_str(), convar.HelpString.size());
-					pVar->m_ConCommandBase.m_pszHelpString = pNewHelpString;
-				}
-				
-				if (convar.DefaultValue.compare(pVar->m_pszDefaultValue))
-				{
-					int nDefaultValueSize = convar.DefaultValue.size();
-					char* pNewDefaultValueString = new char[nDefaultValueSize + 1];
-					strncpy_s(pNewDefaultValueString, nDefaultValueSize + 1, convar.DefaultValue.c_str(), convar.DefaultValue.size());
-					pVar->m_pszDefaultValue = pNewDefaultValueString;
-					pVar->SetValue(pNewDefaultValueString);
-				}
-			}
+			pVar = new ConVar(pName, pDefaultValue, convar.Flags, pHelpString);
+			m_RegisteredModConVars.insert(pVar);
 		}
-
-		for (ModConCommand command : mod.ConCommands)
+		else
 		{
-			// make sure command isnt't registered multiple times.
-			if (!R2::g_pCVar->FindCommand(command.Name.c_str()))
+			// not a mod cvar, don't let us edit it!
+			if (!m_RegisteredModConVars.contains(pVar))
 			{
-				std::string funcName = command.Function;
-				RegisterConCommand(command.Name.c_str(), ModConCommandCallback, command.HelpString.c_str(), command.Flags);
+				spdlog::warn("Mod {} tried to create ConVar {} that was already defined in native code!", mod.Name, convar.Name);
+				continue;
 			}
-		}
 
-		// read vpk paths
-		if (fs::exists(mod.m_ModDirectory / "vpk"))
-		{
-			// read vpk cfg
-			std::ifstream vpkJsonStream(mod.m_ModDirectory / "vpk/vpk.json");
-			std::stringstream vpkJsonStringStream;
+			pVar->m_ConCommandBase.m_nFlags = convar.Flags;
 
-			bool bUseVPKJson = false;
-			rapidjson::Document dVpkJson;
+			if (convar.HelpString.compare(pVar->GetHelpText()))
+			{
+				int nHelpSize = convar.HelpString.size();
+				char* pNewHelpString = new char[nHelpSize + 1];
+				strncpy_s(pNewHelpString, nHelpSize + 1, convar.HelpString.c_str(), convar.HelpString.size());
 
-			if (!vpkJsonStream.fail())
+				// delete old, assign new
+				delete pVar->m_ConCommandBase.m_pszHelpString;
+				pVar->m_ConCommandBase.m_pszHelpString = pNewHelpString;
+			}
+
+			if (convar.DefaultValue.compare(pVar->m_pszDefaultValue))
 			{
-				while (vpkJsonStream.peek() != EOF)
-					vpkJsonStringStream << (char)vpkJsonStream.get();
+				bool bIsDefaultValue = !strcmp(pVar->GetString(), pVar->m_pszDefaultValue);
 
-				vpkJsonStream.close();
-				dVpkJson.Parse<rapidjson::ParseFlag::kParseCommentsFlag | rapidjson::ParseFlag::kParseTrailingCommasFlag>(
-					vpkJsonStringStream.str().c_str());
+				int nDefaultValueSize = convar.DefaultValue.size();
+				char* pNewDefaultValue = new char[nDefaultValueSize + 1];
+				strncpy_s(pNewDefaultValue, nDefaultValueSize + 1, convar.DefaultValue.c_str(), convar.DefaultValue.size());
 
-				bUseVPKJson = !dVpkJson.HasParseError() && dVpkJson.IsObject();
+				// delete old, assign new
+				delete pVar->m_pszDefaultValue;
+				pVar->m_pszDefaultValue = pNewDefaultValue;
+
+				if (bIsDefaultValue) // only set value if it's currently default value, if changed then don't
+					pVar->SetValue(pNewDefaultValue);
 			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	// register command
+	for (ModConCommand command : mod.ConCommands)
+	{
+		// make sure command isnt't registered multiple times.
+		ConCommand* pCommand = R2::g_pCVar->FindCommand(command.Name.c_str());
 
-			for (fs::directory_entry file : fs::directory_iterator(mod.m_ModDirectory / "vpk"))
+		if (!pCommand)
+		{
+			// allocate there here, we can delete later if needed
+			int nNameSize = command.Name.size();
+			char* pName = new char[nNameSize + 1];
+			strncpy_s(pName, nNameSize + 1, command.Name.c_str(), command.Name.size());
+
+			int nHelpSize = command.HelpString.size();
+			char* pHelpString = new char[nHelpSize + 1];
+			strncpy_s(pHelpString, nHelpSize + 1, command.HelpString.c_str(), command.HelpString.size());
+
+			pCommand = RegisterConCommand(pName, ModConCommandCallback, pHelpString, command.Flags);
+			m_RegisteredModConCommands.insert(pCommand);
+		}
+		else
+		{
+			if (!m_RegisteredModConCommands.contains(pCommand))
 			{
-				// a bunch of checks to make sure we're only adding dir vpks and their paths are good
-				// note: the game will literally only load vpks with the english prefix
-				if (fs::is_regular_file(file) && file.path().extension() == ".vpk" &&
-					file.path().string().find("english") != std::string::npos &&
-					file.path().string().find(".bsp.pak000_dir") != std::string::npos)
-				{
-					std::string formattedPath = file.path().filename().string();
+				spdlog::warn("Mod {} tried to create ConCommand {} that was already defined in native code!", mod.Name, command.Name);
+				continue;
+			}
 
-					// this really fucking sucks but it'll work
-					std::string vpkName = formattedPath.substr(strlen("english"), formattedPath.find(".bsp") - 3);
+			pCommand->m_nFlags = command.Flags;
 
-					ModVPKEntry& modVpk = mod.Vpks.emplace_back();
-					modVpk.m_bAutoLoad = !bUseVPKJson || (dVpkJson.HasMember("Preload") && dVpkJson["Preload"].IsObject() &&
-														  dVpkJson["Preload"].HasMember(vpkName) && dVpkJson["Preload"][vpkName].IsTrue());
-					modVpk.m_sVpkPath = (file.path().parent_path() / vpkName).string();
+			if (command.HelpString.compare(pCommand->GetHelpText()))
+			{
+				int nHelpSize = command.HelpString.size();
+				char* pNewHelpString = new char[nHelpSize + 1];
+				strncpy_s(pNewHelpString, nHelpSize + 1, command.HelpString.c_str(), command.HelpString.size());
 
-					if (m_bHasLoadedMods && modVpk.m_bAutoLoad)
-						(*R2::g_pFilesystem)->m_vtable->MountVPK(*R2::g_pFilesystem, vpkName.c_str());
-				}
+				// delete old, assign new
+				delete pCommand->m_pszHelpString;
+				pCommand->m_pszHelpString = pNewHelpString;
 			}
 		}
+	}
+}
+
+void ModManager::InstallModVpks(Mod& mod)
+{
+	// read vpk paths
+	if (fs::exists(mod.m_ModDirectory / "vpk"))
+	{
+		// read vpk cfg
+		std::ifstream vpkJsonStream(mod.m_ModDirectory / "vpk/vpk.json");
+		std::stringstream vpkJsonStringStream;
 
-		// read rpak paths
-		if (fs::exists(mod.m_ModDirectory / "paks"))
+		bool bUseVPKJson = false;
+		rapidjson::Document dVpkJson;
+
+		if (!vpkJsonStream.fail())
 		{
-			// read rpak cfg
-			std::ifstream rpakJsonStream(mod.m_ModDirectory / "paks/rpak.json");
-			std::stringstream rpakJsonStringStream;
+			while (vpkJsonStream.peek() != EOF)
+				vpkJsonStringStream << (char)vpkJsonStream.get();
+
+			vpkJsonStream.close();
+			dVpkJson.Parse<rapidjson::ParseFlag::kParseCommentsFlag | rapidjson::ParseFlag::kParseTrailingCommasFlag>(
+				vpkJsonStringStream.str().c_str());
 
-			bool bUseRpakJson = false;
-			rapidjson::Document dRpakJson;
+			bUseVPKJson = !dVpkJson.HasParseError() && dVpkJson.IsObject();
+		}
 
-			if (!rpakJsonStream.fail())
+		for (fs::directory_entry file : fs::directory_iterator(mod.m_ModDirectory / "vpk"))
+		{
+			// a bunch of checks to make sure we're only adding dir vpks and their paths are good
+			// note: the game will literally only load vpks with the english prefix
+			if (fs::is_regular_file(file) && file.path().extension() == ".vpk" &&
+				file.path().string().find("english") != std::string::npos &&
+				file.path().string().find(".bsp.pak000_dir") != std::string::npos)
 			{
-				while (rpakJsonStream.peek() != EOF)
-					rpakJsonStringStream << (char)rpakJsonStream.get();
+				std::string formattedPath = file.path().filename().string();
 
-				rpakJsonStream.close();
-				dRpakJson.Parse<rapidjson::ParseFlag::kParseCommentsFlag | rapidjson::ParseFlag::kParseTrailingCommasFlag>(
-					rpakJsonStringStream.str().c_str());
+				// this really fucking sucks but it'll work
+				std::string vpkName = formattedPath.substr(strlen("english"), formattedPath.find(".bsp") - 3);
 
-				bUseRpakJson = !dRpakJson.HasParseError() && dRpakJson.IsObject();
+				ModVPKEntry& modVpk = mod.Vpks.emplace_back();
+				modVpk.m_bAutoLoad = !bUseVPKJson || (dVpkJson.HasMember("Preload") && dVpkJson["Preload"].IsObject() &&
+													  dVpkJson["Preload"].HasMember(vpkName) && dVpkJson["Preload"][vpkName].IsTrue());
+				modVpk.m_sVpkPath = (file.path().parent_path() / vpkName).string();
+
+				if (m_bHasLoadedMods && modVpk.m_bAutoLoad)
+					(*R2::g_pFilesystem)->m_vtable->MountVPK(*R2::g_pFilesystem, vpkName.c_str());
 			}
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+void ModManager::InstallModRpaks(Mod& mod)
+{
+	// read rpak paths
+	if (fs::exists(mod.m_ModDirectory / "paks"))
+	{
+		// read rpak cfg
+		std::ifstream rpakJsonStream(mod.m_ModDirectory / "paks/rpak.json");
+		std::stringstream rpakJsonStringStream;
+
+		bool bUseRpakJson = false;
+		rapidjson::Document dRpakJson;
+
+		if (!rpakJsonStream.fail())
+		{
+			while (rpakJsonStream.peek() != EOF)
+				rpakJsonStringStream << (char)rpakJsonStream.get();
+
+			rpakJsonStream.close();
+			dRpakJson.Parse<rapidjson::ParseFlag::kParseCommentsFlag | rapidjson::ParseFlag::kParseTrailingCommasFlag>(
+				rpakJsonStringStream.str().c_str());
 
-			// read pak aliases
-			if (bUseRpakJson && dRpakJson.HasMember("Aliases") && dRpakJson["Aliases"].IsObject())
+			bUseRpakJson = !dRpakJson.HasParseError() && dRpakJson.IsObject();
+		}
+
+		// read pak aliases
+		if (bUseRpakJson && dRpakJson.HasMember("Aliases") && dRpakJson["Aliases"].IsObject())
+		{
+			for (rapidjson::Value::ConstMemberIterator iterator = dRpakJson["Aliases"].MemberBegin();
+				 iterator != dRpakJson["Aliases"].MemberEnd();
+				 iterator++)
 			{
-				for (rapidjson::Value::ConstMemberIterator iterator = dRpakJson["Aliases"].MemberBegin();
-					 iterator != dRpakJson["Aliases"].MemberEnd();
-					 iterator++)
-				{
-					if (!iterator->name.IsString() || !iterator->value.IsString())
-						continue;
+				if (!iterator->name.IsString() || !iterator->value.IsString())
+					continue;
 
-					mod.RpakAliases.insert(std::make_pair(iterator->name.GetString(), iterator->value.GetString()));
-				}
+				mod.RpakAliases.insert(std::make_pair(iterator->name.GetString(), iterator->value.GetString()));
 			}
+		}
 
-			for (fs::directory_entry file : fs::directory_iterator(mod.m_ModDirectory / "paks"))
+		for (fs::directory_entry file : fs::directory_iterator(mod.m_ModDirectory / "paks"))
+		{
+			// ensure we're only loading rpaks
+			if (fs::is_regular_file(file) && file.path().extension() == ".rpak")
 			{
-				// ensure we're only loading rpaks
-				if (fs::is_regular_file(file) && file.path().extension() == ".rpak")
-				{
-					std::string pakName(file.path().filename().string());
+				std::string pakName(file.path().filename().string());
 
-					ModRpakEntry& modPak = mod.Rpaks.emplace_back();
-					modPak.m_bAutoLoad =
-						!bUseRpakJson || (dRpakJson.HasMember("Preload") && dRpakJson["Preload"].IsObject() &&
-										  dRpakJson["Preload"].HasMember(pakName) && dRpakJson["Preload"][pakName].IsTrue());
+				ModRpakEntry& modPak = mod.Rpaks.emplace_back();
+				modPak.m_bAutoLoad = !bUseRpakJson || (dRpakJson.HasMember("Preload") && dRpakJson["Preload"].IsObject() &&
+													   dRpakJson["Preload"].HasMember(pakName) && dRpakJson["Preload"][pakName].IsTrue());
 
-					// postload things
-					if (!bUseRpakJson ||
-						(dRpakJson.HasMember("Postload") && dRpakJson["Postload"].IsObject() && dRpakJson["Postload"].HasMember(pakName)))
-						modPak.m_sLoadAfterPak = dRpakJson["Postload"][pakName].GetString();
+				// postload things
+				if (!bUseRpakJson ||
+					(dRpakJson.HasMember("Postload") && dRpakJson["Postload"].IsObject() && dRpakJson["Postload"].HasMember(pakName)))
+					modPak.m_sLoadAfterPak = dRpakJson["Postload"][pakName].GetString();
 
-					modPak.m_sPakName = pakName;
+				modPak.m_sPakName = pakName;
 
-					// read header of file and get the starpak paths
-					// this is done here as opposed to on starpak load because multiple rpaks can load a starpak
-					// and there is seemingly no good way to tell which rpak is causing the load of a starpak :/
+				// read header of file and get the starpak paths
+				// this is done here as opposed to on starpak load because multiple rpaks can load a starpak
+				// and there is seemingly no good way to tell which rpak is causing the load of a starpak :/
 
-					std::ifstream rpakStream(file.path(), std::ios::binary);
+				std::ifstream rpakStream(file.path(), std::ios::binary);
 
-					// seek to the point in the header where the starpak reference size is
-					rpakStream.seekg(0x38, std::ios::beg);
-					int starpaksSize = 0;
-					rpakStream.read((char*)&starpaksSize, 2);
+				// seek to the point in the header where the starpak reference size is
+				rpakStream.seekg(0x38, std::ios::beg);
+				int starpaksSize = 0;
+				rpakStream.read((char*)&starpaksSize, 2);
 
-					// seek to just after the header
-					rpakStream.seekg(0x58, std::ios::beg);
-					// read the starpak reference(s)
-					std::vector<char> buf(starpaksSize);
-					rpakStream.read(buf.data(), starpaksSize);
+				// seek to just after the header
+				rpakStream.seekg(0x58, std::ios::beg);
+				// read the starpak reference(s)
+				std::vector<char> buf(starpaksSize);
+				rpakStream.read(buf.data(), starpaksSize);
 
-					rpakStream.close();
+				rpakStream.close();
 
-					// split the starpak reference(s) into strings to hash
-					std::string str = "";
-					for (int i = 0; i < starpaksSize; i++)
+				// split the starpak reference(s) into strings to hash
+				std::string str = "";
+				for (int i = 0; i < starpaksSize; i++)
+				{
+					// if the current char is null, that signals the end of the current starpak path
+					if (buf[i] != 0x00)
 					{
-						// if the current char is null, that signals the end of the current starpak path
-						if (buf[i] != 0x00)
-						{
-							str += buf[i];
-						}
-						else
+						str += buf[i];
+					}
+					else
+					{
+						// only add the string we are making if it isnt empty
+						if (!str.empty())
 						{
-							// only add the string we are making if it isnt empty
-							if (!str.empty())
-							{
-								mod.StarpakPaths.push_back(STR_HASH(str));
-								spdlog::info("Mod {} registered starpak '{}'", mod.Name, str);
-								str = "";
-							}
+							mod.StarpakPaths.push_back(STR_HASH(str));
+							spdlog::info("Mod {} registered starpak '{}'", mod.Name, str);
+							str = "";
 						}
 					}
-
-					// not using atm because we need to resolve path to rpak
-					// if (m_hasLoadedMods && modPak.m_bAutoLoad)
-					//	g_pPakLoadManager->LoadPakAsync(pakName.c_str());
 				}
+
+				// not using atm because we need to resolve path to rpak
+				// if (m_hasLoadedMods && modPak.m_bAutoLoad)
+				//	g_pPakLoadManager->LoadPakAsync(pakName.c_str());
 			}
 		}
+	}
+}
 
-		// read keyvalues paths
-		if (fs::exists(mod.m_ModDirectory / "keyvalues"))
+void ModManager::InstallModKeyValues(Mod& mod)
+{
+	// read keyvalues paths
+	if (fs::exists(mod.m_ModDirectory / "keyvalues"))
+	{
+		for (fs::directory_entry file : fs::recursive_directory_iterator(mod.m_ModDirectory / "keyvalues"))
 		{
-			for (fs::directory_entry file : fs::recursive_directory_iterator(mod.m_ModDirectory / "keyvalues"))
+			if (fs::is_regular_file(file))
 			{
-				if (fs::is_regular_file(file))
+				std::string kvStr = g_pModManager->NormaliseModFilePath(file.path().lexically_relative(mod.m_ModDirectory / "keyvalues"));
+				mod.KeyValues.emplace(STR_HASH(kvStr), kvStr);
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+void ModManager::InstallModBinks(Mod& mod)
+{
+	// read bink video paths
+	if (fs::exists(mod.m_ModDirectory / "media"))
+	{
+		for (fs::directory_entry file : fs::recursive_directory_iterator(mod.m_ModDirectory / "media"))
+			if (fs::is_regular_file(file) && file.path().extension() == ".bik")
+				mod.BinkVideos.push_back(file.path().filename().string());
+	}
+}
+
+void ModManager::InstallModAudioOverrides(Mod& mod)
+{
+	// try to load audio
+	if (fs::exists(mod.m_ModDirectory / "audio"))
+	{
+		for (fs::directory_entry file : fs::directory_iterator(mod.m_ModDirectory / "audio"))
+		{
+			if (fs::is_regular_file(file) && file.path().extension().string() == ".json")
+			{
+				if (!g_CustomAudioManager.TryLoadAudioOverride(file.path()))
 				{
-					std::string kvStr =
-						g_pModManager->NormaliseModFilePath(file.path().lexically_relative(mod.m_ModDirectory / "keyvalues"));
-					mod.KeyValues.emplace(STR_HASH(kvStr), kvStr);
+					spdlog::warn("Mod {} has an invalid audio def {}", mod.Name, file.path().filename().string());
+					continue;
 				}
 			}
 		}
+	}
+}
 
-		// read pdiff
-		if (fs::exists(mod.m_ModDirectory / "mod.pdiff"))
+void ModManager::InstallModFileOverrides(Mod& mod)
+{
+	// install all "normal" file overrides (source/vpk filesystem) e.g. files in Northstar.CustomServers/mod
+	if (fs::exists(mod.m_ModDirectory / MOD_OVERRIDE_DIR))
+	{
+		for (fs::directory_entry file : fs::recursive_directory_iterator(mod.m_ModDirectory / MOD_OVERRIDE_DIR))
 		{
-			std::ifstream pdiffStream(mod.m_ModDirectory / "mod.pdiff");
-
-			if (!pdiffStream.fail())
+			std::string path = g_pModManager->NormaliseModFilePath(file.path().lexically_relative(mod.m_ModDirectory / MOD_OVERRIDE_DIR));
+			if (file.is_regular_file() && m_ModLoadState->m_ModFiles.find(path) == m_ModLoadState->m_ModFiles.end())
 			{
-				std::stringstream pdiffStringStream;
-				while (pdiffStream.peek() != EOF)
-					pdiffStringStream << (char)pdiffStream.get();
-
-				pdiffStream.close();
-
-				mod.Pdiff = pdiffStringStream.str();
+				ModOverrideFile modFile;
+				modFile.m_pOwningMod = &mod;
+				modFile.m_Path = path;
+				modFile.m_tLastWriteTime = fs::last_write_time(file.path()); // need real path for this
+				m_ModLoadState->m_ModFiles.insert(std::make_pair(path, modFile));
 			}
 		}
+	}
+}
+#pragma endregion
+
+void ModManager::CheckModFilesForChanges()
+{
+	// normal mod files
+	{
+		// check which file overrides have changed
+		// we need to trigger a reload of a given asset if
+		// a) the asset was overriden previously but has changed owner
+		// b) the asset no longer has any overrides (use vanilla file)
+		// c) the asset was using vanilla file but isn't anymore
 
-		// read bink video paths
-		if (fs::exists(mod.m_ModDirectory / "media"))
+		std::vector<ModOverrideFile*> vpChangedFiles;
+
+		// check currently loaded mods for any removed or updated files vs last load
+		for (auto& filePair : m_ModLoadState->m_ModFiles)
 		{
-			for (fs::directory_entry file : fs::recursive_directory_iterator(mod.m_ModDirectory / "media"))
-				if (fs::is_regular_file(file) && file.path().extension() == ".bik")
-					mod.BinkVideos.push_back(file.path().filename().string());
+			auto findFile = m_LastModLoadState->m_ModFiles.find(filePair.first);
+			if (findFile == m_LastModLoadState->m_ModFiles.end() || findFile->second.m_tLastWriteTime != filePair.second.m_tLastWriteTime)
+				vpChangedFiles.push_back(&filePair.second);
 		}
 
-		// try to load audio
-		if (fs::exists(mod.m_ModDirectory / "audio"))
+		// check last load for any files removed
+		for (auto& filePair : m_LastModLoadState->m_ModFiles)
+			if (filePair.second.m_pOwningMod != nullptr &&
+				m_ModLoadState->m_ModFiles.find(filePair.first) == m_ModLoadState->m_ModFiles.end())
+				vpChangedFiles.push_back(&filePair.second);
+
+		for (ModOverrideFile* pChangedFile : vpChangedFiles)
 		{
-			for (fs::directory_entry file : fs::directory_iterator(mod.m_ModDirectory / "audio"))
+			if (IsDedicatedServer())
 			{
-				if (fs::is_regular_file(file) && file.path().extension().string() == ".json")
+				// could check localisation here? but what's the point, localisation shouldn't be in mod fs
+				// if (m_AssetTypesToReload.bLocalisation)
+
+				if (!m_AssetTypesToReload.bAimAssistSettings && !pChangedFile->m_Path.parent_path().compare("cfg/aimassist/"))
+				{
+					m_AssetTypesToReload.bAimAssistSettings = true;
+					continue;
+				}
+
+				if (!m_AssetTypesToReload.bMaterials && !pChangedFile->m_Path.parent_path().compare("materials/"))
+				{
+					m_AssetTypesToReload.bMaterials = true;
+					continue;
+				}
+
+				if (!m_AssetTypesToReload.bUiScript)
 				{
-					if (!g_CustomAudioManager.TryLoadAudioOverride(file.path()))
+
+					// TODO: need to check whether any ui scripts have changed
+
+					if (!pChangedFile->m_Path.parent_path().compare("resource/ui/"))
 					{
-						spdlog::warn("Mod {} has an invalid audio def {}", mod.Name, file.path().filename().string());
+						m_AssetTypesToReload.bUiScript = true;
 						continue;
 					}
 				}
 			}
-		}
-	}
 
-	// in a seperate loop because we register mod files in reverse order, since mods loaded later should have their files prioritised
-	for (int64_t i = m_LoadedMods.size() - 1; i > -1; i--)
-	{
-		if (!m_LoadedMods[i].m_bEnabled)
-			continue;
+			if (!m_AssetTypesToReload.bModels && !pChangedFile->m_Path.parent_path().compare("models/"))
+			{
+				m_AssetTypesToReload.bModels = true;
+				continue;
+			}
 
-		if (fs::exists(m_LoadedMods[i].m_ModDirectory / MOD_OVERRIDE_DIR))
-		{
-			for (fs::directory_entry file : fs::recursive_directory_iterator(m_LoadedMods[i].m_ModDirectory / MOD_OVERRIDE_DIR))
+			// could also check this but no point as it should only be changed from mod keyvalues
+			// if (!m_AssetTypesToReload.bPlaylists && !pChangedFile->m_Path.compare("playlists_v2.txt"))
+
+			// we also check these on change of mod keyvalues
+			if (!m_AssetTypesToReload.bWeaponSettings && !pChangedFile->m_Path.parent_path().compare("scripts/weapons/"))
 			{
-				std::string path =
-					g_pModManager->NormaliseModFilePath(file.path().lexically_relative(m_LoadedMods[i].m_ModDirectory / MOD_OVERRIDE_DIR));
-				if (file.is_regular_file() && m_ModFiles.find(path) == m_ModFiles.end())
-				{
-					ModOverrideFile modFile;
-					modFile.m_pOwningMod = &m_LoadedMods[i];
-					modFile.m_Path = path;
-					m_ModFiles.insert(std::make_pair(path, modFile));
-				}
+				m_AssetTypesToReload.bWeaponSettings = true;
+				continue;
+			}
+
+			if (!m_AssetTypesToReload.bPlayerSettings && !pChangedFile->m_Path.parent_path().compare("scripts/players/"))
+			{
+				m_AssetTypesToReload.bPlayerSettings = true;
+				continue;
+			}
+
+			// maybe also aibehaviour?
+			if (!m_AssetTypesToReload.bAiSettings && !pChangedFile->m_Path.parent_path().compare("scripts/aisettings/"))
+			{
+				m_AssetTypesToReload.bAiSettings = true;
+				continue;
+			}
+
+			if (!m_AssetTypesToReload.bDamageDefs && !pChangedFile->m_Path.parent_path().compare("scripts/damage/"))
+			{
+				m_AssetTypesToReload.bDamageDefs = true;
+				continue;
 			}
 		}
 	}
 
-	// build modinfo obj for masterserver
-	rapidjson_document modinfoDoc;
-	auto& alloc = modinfoDoc.GetAllocator();
-	modinfoDoc.SetObject();
-	modinfoDoc.AddMember("Mods", rapidjson::kArrayType, alloc);
+	// keyvalues
+
+	//if (!m_AssetTypesToReload.bWeaponSettings && kvStr.compare("scripts/weapons/"))
+	//{
+	//	m_AssetTypesToReload.bWeaponSettings = true;
+	//	continue;
+	//}
+	//
+	//if (!m_AssetTypesToReload.bPlayerSettings && kvStr.compare("scripts/players/"))
+	//{
+	//	m_AssetTypesToReload.bPlayerSettings = true;
+	//	continue;
+	//}
+	//
+	//// maybe also aibehaviour?
+	//if (!m_AssetTypesToReload.bAiSettings && kvStr.compare("scripts/aisettings/"))
+	//{
+	//	m_AssetTypesToReload.bAiSettings = true;
+	//	continue;
+	//}
+	//
+	//if (!m_AssetTypesToReload.bDamageDefs && kvStr.compare("scripts/damage/"))
+	//{
+	//	m_AssetTypesToReload.bDamageDefs = true;
+	//	continue;
+	//}
+}
 
-	int currentModIndex = 0;
-	for (Mod& mod : m_LoadedMods)
+void ModManager::ReloadNecessaryModAssets()
+{
+	std::vector<std::string> vReloadCommands;
+
+	if (m_AssetTypesToReload.bUiScript)
+		vReloadCommands.push_back("uiscript_reset");
+
+	if (m_AssetTypesToReload.bLocalisation)
+		vReloadCommands.push_back("reload_localization");
+
+	// after we reload_localization, we need to loadPlaylists, to keep playlist localisation
+	if (m_AssetTypesToReload.bPlaylists || m_AssetTypesToReload.bLocalisation)
+		vReloadCommands.push_back("loadPlaylists");
+
+	if (m_AssetTypesToReload.bAimAssistSettings)
+		vReloadCommands.push_back("ReloadAimAssistSettings");
+
+	// need to reimplement mat_reloadmaterials for this
+	//if (m_AssetTypesToReload.bMaterials)
+	//	R2::Cbuf_AddText(R2::Cbuf_GetCurrentPlayer(), "mat_reloadmaterials", R2::cmd_source_t::kCommandSrcCode);
+
+	//if (m_AssetTypesToReload.bWeaponSettings)
+	//if (m_AssetTypesToReload.bPlayerSettings)
+	//if (m_AssetTypesToReload.bAiSettings)
+	//if (m_AssetTypesToReload.bDamageDefs)
+
+	if (m_AssetTypesToReload.bModels)
+		spdlog::warn("Need to reload models but can't without a restart!");
+
+	for (std::string& sReloadCommand : vReloadCommands)
 	{
-		if (!mod.m_bEnabled || (!mod.RequiredOnClient && !mod.Pdiff.size()))
-			continue;
+		spdlog::info("Executing command {} for asset reload", sReloadCommand);
+		R2::Cbuf_AddText(R2::Cbuf_GetCurrentPlayer(), sReloadCommand.c_str(), R2::cmd_source_t::kCommandSrcCode);
+	}
 
-		modinfoDoc["Mods"].PushBack(rapidjson::kObjectType, modinfoDoc.GetAllocator());
-		modinfoDoc["Mods"][currentModIndex].AddMember("Name", rapidjson::StringRef(&mod.Name[0]), modinfoDoc.GetAllocator());
-		modinfoDoc["Mods"][currentModIndex].AddMember("Version", rapidjson::StringRef(&mod.Version[0]), modinfoDoc.GetAllocator());
-		modinfoDoc["Mods"][currentModIndex].AddMember("RequiredOnClient", mod.RequiredOnClient, modinfoDoc.GetAllocator());
-		modinfoDoc["Mods"][currentModIndex].AddMember("Pdiff", rapidjson::StringRef(&mod.Pdiff[0]), modinfoDoc.GetAllocator());
+	R2::Cbuf_Execute();
+}
 
-		currentModIndex++;
+void ModManager::InstallMods()
+{
+	for (Mod& mod : GetMods() | FilterEnabled)
+	{
+		InstallModCvars(mod);
+		InstallModVpks(mod);
+		InstallModRpaks(mod);
+		InstallModKeyValues(mod);
+		InstallModBinks(mod);
+		InstallModAudioOverrides(mod);
 	}
 
-	rapidjson::StringBuffer buffer;
-	buffer.Clear();
-	rapidjson::Writer<rapidjson::StringBuffer> writer(buffer);
-	modinfoDoc.Accept(writer);
-	g_pMasterServerManager->m_sOwnModInfoJson = std::string(buffer.GetString());
+	// in a seperate loop because we register mod files in reverse order, since mods loaded later should have their files prioritised
+	for (Mod& mod : GetMods() | FilterEnabled | std::views::reverse)
+		InstallModFileOverrides(mod);
 
-	m_bHasLoadedMods = true;
+	if (m_bHasLoadedMods) // only reload assets after initial load
+	{
+		CheckModFilesForChanges();
+		ReloadNecessaryModAssets();
+	}
+}
+
+void ModManager::SaveEnabledMods()
+{
+	// write from scratch every time, don't include unnecessary mods
+	rapidjson_document enabledModsCfg;
+	enabledModsCfg.SetObject();
+
+	// add values
+	for (Mod& mod : GetMods())
+		enabledModsCfg.AddMember(rapidjson_document::StringRefType(mod.Name.c_str()), mod.m_bEnabled, enabledModsCfg.GetAllocator());
+
+	// write
+	std::ofstream sWriteStream(GetNorthstarPrefix() / "enabledmods.json");
+	rapidjson::OStreamWrapper sWriteStreamWrapper(sWriteStream);
+	rapidjson::PrettyWriter<rapidjson::OStreamWrapper> writer(sWriteStreamWrapper);
+	enabledModsCfg.Accept(writer);
 }
 
 void ModManager::UnloadMods()
 {
+	// save last state so we know what we need to reload
 	m_LastModLoadState = m_ModLoadState;
+	m_ModLoadState = new ModLoadState;
+
+	// reset assets to reload
+	m_AssetTypesToReload.bUiScript = false;
+	m_AssetTypesToReload.bLocalisation = false;
+	m_AssetTypesToReload.bPlaylists = false;
+	m_AssetTypesToReload.bAimAssistSettings = false;
+	m_AssetTypesToReload.bMaterials = false;
+	m_AssetTypesToReload.bRPaks = false;
+	m_AssetTypesToReload.bWeaponSettings = false;
+	m_AssetTypesToReload.bPlayerSettings = false;
+	m_AssetTypesToReload.bAiSettings = false;
+	m_AssetTypesToReload.bDamageDefs = false;
+	m_AssetTypesToReload.bModels = false;
 
 	// clean up stuff from mods before we unload
-	m_ModFiles.clear();
 	fs::remove_all(GetCompiledAssetsPath());
 
-	g_CustomAudioManager.ClearAudioOverrides();
-
-	if (!m_bHasEnabledModsCfg)
-		m_EnabledModsCfg.SetObject();
-
-	for (Mod& mod : m_LoadedMods)
-	{
-		// remove all built kvs
-		for (std::pair<size_t, std::string> kvPaths : mod.KeyValues)
-			fs::remove(GetCompiledAssetsPath() / fs::path(kvPaths.second).lexically_relative(mod.m_ModDirectory));
-
-		// write to m_enabledModsCfg
-		// should we be doing this here or should scripts be doing this manually?
-		// main issue with doing this here is when we reload mods for connecting to a server, we write enabled mods, which isn't necessarily
-		// what we wanna do
-		if (!m_EnabledModsCfg.HasMember(mod.Name.c_str()))
-			m_EnabledModsCfg.AddMember(rapidjson_document::StringRefType(mod.Name.c_str()), false, m_EnabledModsCfg.GetAllocator());
-
-		m_EnabledModsCfg[mod.Name.c_str()].SetBool(mod.m_bEnabled);
-	}
-
-	std::ofstream writeStream(GetNorthstarPrefix() + "/enabledmods.json");
-	rapidjson::OStreamWrapper writeStreamWrapper(writeStream);
-	rapidjson::PrettyWriter<rapidjson::OStreamWrapper> writer(writeStreamWrapper);
-	m_EnabledModsCfg.Accept(writer);
-
-	// do we need to dealloc individual entries in m_loadedMods? idk, rework
-	m_LoadedMods.clear();
+	// TODO: remove, should only reload required overrides, and don't do it here
+	g_CustomAudioManager.ClearAudioOverrides(); 
 }
 
 std::string ModManager::NormaliseModFilePath(const fs::path path)
@@ -801,10 +1093,10 @@ void ModManager::CompileAssetsForFile(const char* filename)
 
 	if (fileHash == m_hScriptsRsonHash)
 		BuildScriptsRson();
-	else if (fileHash == m_hPdefHash)
-	{
-		// BuildPdef(); todo
-	}
+	//else if (fileHash == m_hPdefHash)
+	//{
+	//	// BuildPdef(); todo
+	//}
 	else if (fileHash == m_hKBActHash)
 		BuildKBActionsList();
 	else
@@ -831,15 +1123,15 @@ void ConCommand_reload_mods(const CCommand& args)
 
 fs::path GetModFolderPath()
 {
-	return fs::path(GetNorthstarPrefix() + MOD_FOLDER_SUFFIX);
+	return GetNorthstarPrefix() / MOD_FOLDER_SUFFIX;
 }
 fs::path GetRemoteModFolderPath()
 {
-	return fs::path(GetNorthstarPrefix() + REMOTE_MOD_FOLDER_SUFFIX);
+	return GetNorthstarPrefix() / REMOTE_MOD_FOLDER_SUFFIX;
 }
 fs::path GetCompiledAssetsPath()
 {
-	return fs::path(GetNorthstarPrefix() + COMPILED_ASSETS_SUFFIX);
+	return GetNorthstarPrefix() / COMPILED_ASSETS_SUFFIX;
 }
 
 ON_DLL_LOAD_RELIESON("engine.dll", ModManager, (ConCommand, MasterServer), (CModule module))
diff --git a/NorthstarDLL/mods/modmanager.h b/NorthstarDLL/mods/modmanager.h
index d44a202f..0bb696e8 100644
--- a/NorthstarDLL/mods/modmanager.h
+++ b/NorthstarDLL/mods/modmanager.h
@@ -7,15 +7,15 @@
 #include <string>
 #include <vector>
 #include <filesystem>
+#include <unordered_set>
 
-const std::string MOD_FOLDER_SUFFIX = "/mods";
-const std::string REMOTE_MOD_FOLDER_SUFFIX = "/runtime/remote/mods";
+const std::string MOD_FOLDER_SUFFIX = "mods";
+const std::string REMOTE_MOD_FOLDER_SUFFIX = "runtime/remote/mods";
 const fs::path MOD_OVERRIDE_DIR = "mod";
-const std::string COMPILED_ASSETS_SUFFIX = "/runtime/compiled";
+const std::string COMPILED_ASSETS_SUFFIX = "runtime/compiled";
 
 struct ModConVar
 {
-  public:
 	std::string Name;
 	std::string DefaultValue;
 	std::string HelpString;
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@ struct ModConVar
 
 struct ModConCommand
 {
-  public:
 	std::string Name;
 	std::string Function;
 	std::string HelpString;
@@ -34,7 +33,6 @@ struct ModConCommand
 
 struct ModScriptCallback
 {
-  public:
 	ScriptContext Context;
 
 	// called before the codecallback is executed
@@ -47,7 +45,6 @@ struct ModScriptCallback
 
 struct ModScript
 {
-  public:
 	std::string Path;
 	std::string RunOn;
 
@@ -57,27 +54,24 @@ struct ModScript
 // these are pretty much identical, could refactor to use the same stuff?
 struct ModVPKEntry
 {
-  public:
 	bool m_bAutoLoad;
 	std::string m_sVpkPath;
 };
 
 struct ModRpakEntry
 {
-  public:
 	bool m_bAutoLoad;
 	std::string m_sPakName;
 	std::string m_sLoadAfterPak;
 };
 
-class Mod
+struct Mod
 {
-  public:
 	// runtime stuff
 	bool m_bEnabled = true;
 	bool m_bWasReadSuccessfully = false;
 	fs::path m_ModDirectory;
-	// bool m_bIsRemote;
+	bool m_bRemote; // whether the mod was automatically downloaded
 
 	// mod.json stuff:
 
@@ -109,7 +103,8 @@ class Mod
 	std::vector<ModVPKEntry> Vpks;
 	std::unordered_map<size_t, std::string> KeyValues;
 	std::vector<std::string> BinkVideos;
-	std::string Pdiff; // only need one per mod
+
+	// todo audio override struct
 
 	std::vector<ModRpakEntry> Rpaks;
 	std::unordered_map<std::string, std::string>
@@ -121,22 +116,14 @@ class Mod
 	std::unordered_map<std::string, std::string> DependencyConstants;
 
   public:
-	Mod(fs::path modPath, char* jsonBuf);
+	Mod(fs::path modPath, std::string sJson, bool bRemote);
 };
 
 struct ModOverrideFile
 {
-  public:
 	Mod* m_pOwningMod; // don't need to explicitly clean this up
 	fs::path m_Path;
-};
-
-class ModLoadState
-{
-  public:
-	std::vector<Mod> m_LoadedMods;
-	std::unordered_map<std::string, ModOverrideFile> m_ModFiles;
-	std::unordered_map<std::string, std::string> m_DependencyConstants;
+	fs::file_time_type m_tLastWriteTime;
 };
 
 class ModManager
@@ -144,45 +131,100 @@ class ModManager
   private:
 	bool m_bHasLoadedMods = false;
 	bool m_bHasEnabledModsCfg;
-	rapidjson_document m_EnabledModsCfg;
 
 	// precalculated hashes
 	size_t m_hScriptsRsonHash;
 	size_t m_hPdefHash;
 	size_t m_hKBActHash;
 
-  public:
-	ModLoadState m_LastModLoadState;
-	ModLoadState m_ModLoadState;
+	void LoadModDefinitions();
+	void SaveEnabledMods();
+	void InstallMods();
+
+	// mod installation funcs
+	void InstallModCvars(Mod& mod);
+	void InstallModVpks(Mod& mod);
+	void InstallModRpaks(Mod& mod);
+	void InstallModKeyValues(Mod& mod);
+	void InstallModBinks(Mod& mod);
+	void InstallModAudioOverrides(Mod& mod);
+
+	void InstallModFileOverrides(Mod& mod);
+
+	void UnloadMods();
+
+	std::unordered_set<ConVar*> m_RegisteredModConVars;
+	std::unordered_set<ConCommand*> m_RegisteredModConCommands;
+
+
+	struct
+	{
+		// assets types we need to reload completely after mods are reloaded (can't reload individually)
+		bool bUiScript = false; // also includes .menu files
+		bool bLocalisation = false;
+		bool bPlaylists = false;
+		bool bAimAssistSettings = false;
+		bool bMaterials = false; // vmts
+		bool bWeaponSettings = false;
+		bool bPlayerSettings = false;
+		bool bAiSettings = false;
+		bool bDamageDefs = false; // damagedefs
+
+		// can't actually reload this atm, just print a warning (todo, could maybe restart client to ensure loaded?)
+		bool bModels = false;
+
+		bool bRPaks = false;
+
+		// assets that we can reload individually
+		//std::vector<ModAudioOverride> vAudioOverrides
+	} m_AssetTypesToReload;
+
+	void CheckModFilesForChanges();
+	void ReloadNecessaryModAssets();
+
+
+	struct ModLoadState
+	{
+		std::vector<Mod> m_LoadedMods;
+		std::unordered_map<std::string, ModOverrideFile> m_ModFiles;
+		std::unordered_map<std::string, std::string> m_DependencyConstants;
+	};
+
+	// unfortunately need to be ptrs, so we can copy m_ModLoadState => m_LastModLoadState
+	// without ptrs to any elements (only ModOverrideFile::m_pOwningMod atm) decaying
+	// unfortunately means we need to manually manage memory of them, but oh well
+	ModLoadState* m_LastModLoadState;
+	ModLoadState* m_ModLoadState;
 
   public:
 	ModManager();
 	void LoadMods();
-	void UnloadMods();
 	std::string NormaliseModFilePath(const fs::path path);
 	void CompileAssetsForFile(const char* filename);
 
 	// getters
 	inline std::vector<Mod>& GetMods()
 	{
-		return m_ModLoadState.m_LoadedMods;
+		return m_ModLoadState->m_LoadedMods;
 	};
 
 	inline std::unordered_map<std::string, ModOverrideFile>& GetModFiles()
 	{
-		return m_ModLoadState.m_ModFiles;
+		return m_ModLoadState->m_ModFiles;
 	};
 
 	inline std::unordered_map<std::string, std::string>& GetDependencyConstants()
 	{
-		return m_ModLoadState.m_DependencyConstants;
+		return m_ModLoadState->m_DependencyConstants;
 	};
 
 	// compile asset type stuff, these are done in files under runtime/compiled/
 	void BuildScriptsRson();
 	void TryBuildKeyValues(const char* filename);
-	void BuildPdef();
 	void BuildKBActionsList();
+
+	// for std::views::filter, e.g. for (Mod& mod : g_pModManager::GetMods() | ModManager::FilterEnabled)
+	static inline constexpr auto FilterEnabled = std::views::filter([](Mod& mod) { return mod.m_bEnabled; });
 };
 
 fs::path GetModFolderPath();
diff --git a/NorthstarDLL/scripts/client/scriptmodmenu.cpp b/NorthstarDLL/scripts/client/scriptmodmenu.cpp
index 0beea4f2..6c0684e2 100644
--- a/NorthstarDLL/scripts/client/scriptmodmenu.cpp
+++ b/NorthstarDLL/scripts/client/scriptmodmenu.cpp
@@ -146,9 +146,9 @@ ADD_SQFUNC(
 	{
 		if (!mod.Name.compare(modName))
 		{
-			for (ModConVar* cvar : mod.ConVars)
+			for (ModConVar& cvar : mod.ConVars)
 			{
-				g_pSquirrel<context>->pushstring(sqvm, cvar->Name.c_str());
+				g_pSquirrel<context>->pushstring(sqvm, cvar.Name.c_str());
 				g_pSquirrel<context>->arrayappend(sqvm, -2);
 			}
 
diff --git a/NorthstarDLL/server/auth/bansystem.cpp b/NorthstarDLL/server/auth/bansystem.cpp
index 56719ed9..ab855622 100644
--- a/NorthstarDLL/server/auth/bansystem.cpp
+++ b/NorthstarDLL/server/auth/bansystem.cpp
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ ServerBanSystem* g_pBanSystem;
 
 void ServerBanSystem::OpenBanlist()
 {
-	std::ifstream banlistStream(GetNorthstarPrefix() + "/banlist.txt");
+	std::ifstream banlistStream(GetNorthstarPrefix() / "banlist.txt");
 
 	if (!banlistStream.fail())
 	{
@@ -47,12 +47,12 @@ void ServerBanSystem::OpenBanlist()
 	}
 
 	// open write stream for banlist // dont do this to allow for all time access
-	// m_sBanlistStream.open(GetNorthstarPrefix() + "/banlist.txt", std::ofstream::out | std::ofstream::binary | std::ofstream::app);
+	// m_sBanlistStream.open(GetNorthstarPrefix() / "banlist.txt", std::ofstream::out | std::ofstream::binary | std::ofstream::app);
 }
 
 void ServerBanSystem::ReloadBanlist()
 {
-	std::ifstream fsBanlist(GetNorthstarPrefix() + "/banlist.txt");
+	std::ifstream fsBanlist(GetNorthstarPrefix() / "banlist.txt");
 
 	if (!fsBanlist.fail())
 	{
@@ -72,18 +72,18 @@ void ServerBanSystem::ClearBanlist()
 
 	// reopen the file, don't provide std::ofstream::app so it clears on open
 	m_sBanlistStream.close();
-	m_sBanlistStream.open(GetNorthstarPrefix() + "/banlist.txt", std::ofstream::out | std::ofstream::binary);
+	m_sBanlistStream.open(GetNorthstarPrefix() / "banlist.txt", std::ofstream::out | std::ofstream::binary);
 	m_sBanlistStream.close();
 }
 
 void ServerBanSystem::BanUID(uint64_t uid)
 {
 	// checking if last char is \n to make sure uids arent getting fucked
-	std::ifstream fsBanlist(GetNorthstarPrefix() + "/banlist.txt");
+	std::ifstream fsBanlist(GetNorthstarPrefix() / "banlist.txt");
 	std::string content((std::istreambuf_iterator<char>(fsBanlist)), (std::istreambuf_iterator<char>()));
 	fsBanlist.close();
 
-	m_sBanlistStream.open(GetNorthstarPrefix() + "/banlist.txt", std::ofstream::out | std::ofstream::binary | std::ofstream::app);
+	m_sBanlistStream.open(GetNorthstarPrefix() / "banlist.txt", std::ofstream::out | std::ofstream::binary | std::ofstream::app);
 	if (content.back() != '\n')
 		m_sBanlistStream << std::endl;
 
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ void ServerBanSystem::UnbanUID(uint64_t uid)
 	m_vBannedUids.erase(findResult);
 
 	std::vector<std::string> banlistText;
-	std::ifstream fs_readBanlist(GetNorthstarPrefix() + "/banlist.txt");
+	std::ifstream fs_readBanlist(GetNorthstarPrefix() / "banlist.txt");
 
 	if (!fs_readBanlist.fail())
 	{
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ void ServerBanSystem::UnbanUID(uint64_t uid)
 	// open write stream for banlist // without append so we clear the file
 	if (m_sBanlistStream.is_open())
 		m_sBanlistStream.close();
-	m_sBanlistStream.open(GetNorthstarPrefix() + "/banlist.txt", std::ofstream::out | std::ofstream::binary);
+	m_sBanlistStream.open(GetNorthstarPrefix() / "banlist.txt", std::ofstream::out | std::ofstream::binary);
 
 	for (std::string updatedLine : banlistText)
 		m_sBanlistStream << updatedLine << std::endl;
diff --git a/NorthstarDLL/squirrel/squirrel.cpp b/NorthstarDLL/squirrel/squirrel.cpp
index 0bbc496f..0c538b21 100644
--- a/NorthstarDLL/squirrel/squirrel.cpp
+++ b/NorthstarDLL/squirrel/squirrel.cpp
@@ -194,11 +194,8 @@ template <ScriptContext context> void SquirrelManager<context>::VMCreated(CSquir
 	{
 		bool bWasFound = false;
 
-		for (Mod& dependency : g_pModManager->GetMods())
+		for (Mod& dependency : g_pModManager->GetMods() | ModManager::FilterEnabled)
 		{
-			if (!dependency.m_bEnabled)
-				continue;
-
 			if (dependency.Name == pair.second)
 			{
 				bWasFound = true;
@@ -208,6 +205,7 @@ template <ScriptContext context> void SquirrelManager<context>::VMCreated(CSquir
 
 		defconst(m_pSQVM, pair.first.c_str(), bWasFound);
 	}
+
 	g_pSquirrel<context>->messageBuffer = new SquirrelMessageBuffer();
 }
 
@@ -218,7 +216,7 @@ template <ScriptContext context> void SquirrelManager<context>::VMDestroyed()
 	{
 		NS::log::squirrel_logger<context>()->info("Calling Destroy callbacks for all loaded mods.");
 
-		for (const Mod& loadedMod : g_pModManager->m_LoadedMods)
+		for (const Mod& loadedMod : g_pModManager->GetMods())
 		{
 			for (const ModScript& script : loadedMod.Scripts)
 			{
@@ -472,11 +470,8 @@ template <ScriptContext context> bool __fastcall CallScriptInitCallbackHook(void
 
 	if (bShouldCallCustomCallbacks)
 	{
-		for (Mod& mod : g_pModManager->GetMods())
+		for (Mod& mod : g_pModManager->GetMods() | ModManager::FilterEnabled)
 		{
-			if (!mod.m_bEnabled)
-				continue;
-
 			for (ModScript script : mod.Scripts)
 			{
 				for (ModScriptCallback modCallback : script.Callbacks)
@@ -499,11 +494,8 @@ template <ScriptContext context> bool __fastcall CallScriptInitCallbackHook(void
 	// run after callbacks
 	if (bShouldCallCustomCallbacks)
 	{
-		for (Mod& mod : g_pModManager->GetMods())
+		for (Mod& mod : g_pModManager->GetMods() | ModManager::FilterEnabled)
 		{
-			if (!mod.m_bEnabled)
-				continue;
-
 			for (ModScript script : mod.Scripts)
 			{
 				for (ModScriptCallback modCallback : script.Callbacks)