make a new file in the left 4 dead 2 files and call it “left4dead2_mods” (to find where you need to put it go on steam, library right-click on left 4 dead 2, click properties and then local files)
(also don't put the left4ded2_mods folder in the left4dead2 folder, the one without spaces)


https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/1851544201697950454/DC9B8509684771E1A241F8CCF0BB136B5F9575B0/?imw=256&&ima=fit&impolicy=Letterbox&imcolor=%23000000&letterbox=false

make 2 new files on the desktop or anywhere really and call 1 of them pak01_dir and the other mods

Find “l4d2 authoring tools” in your library on steam and install. (if you can't find it you can search it or click on settings and enable tools in your library sidebar)

https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/1851544201697985954/BA5AF0227520FE6EE1F53C73FE51641B27ABE048/?imw=256&&ima=fit&impolicy=Letterbox&imcolor=%23000000&letterbox=false

Then in the left 4 dead 2 files go: Left 4 Dead 2/bin and find vpk.exe and right-click on it and click create a shortcut and put the shortcut in the mods folder you'll need it later.

https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/1851544201697991653/A3F0FCC9F0D8868EA18D6A1E1DE740437F4AEC29/?imw=256&&ima=fit&impolicy=Letterbox&imcolor=%23000000&letterbox=false

Now you need your mods. Go to Left 4 dead 2/left4dead2/addon/workshop. Now you need to find the mods you want. You can find them by looking at the pictures and their numbers. If the picture has a thumbnail of what mod you want then the .vpk file with the same numbers should be the mod. Once you find the mod you want, right-click, copy and then paste the .vpk file into your mods folder. (BTW you can't copy multiple at a time you have to copy and paste one at a time into the mods folder) (also your mods won’t download by subbing to the mod without launching l4d2, you need to launch l4d2 to install the mod into your workshop file)

Once you have all the .vpk files into your mods folder, put one at a time into the .vpk.exe and it will create a separate folder with the same numbers. Do this to every .vpk file (the files will appear in the mods folder)

https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/1851544201698007281/EF5C5B0030A9EDCB4D91902787F529F94928C099/?imw=256&&ima=fit&impolicy=Letterbox&imcolor=%23000000&letterbox=false

Once you have all the files, then you have to open one at a time and take insides of the folder and put it in the pak01_dir folder. Do this with every file and it will probably say: there are existing files would you like to continue? just click skip these files. Once you have done that we can continue to step 8.

https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/1851544201698013318/C3039130B4514B1F804104F6F6010812C0CDB655/?imw=256&&ima=fit&impolicy=Letterbox&imcolor=%23000000&letterbox=false

Put the pak01_dir folder into the vpk.exe and it will create a .vpk file on your desktop. then drag the pak01_dir that just got created into the left4dead2_mods folder you created before.

https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/1851544201698021561/F84F0B83A38023ED6C955DD53B4FD059B2E556AF/?imw=256&&ima=fit&impolicy=Letterbox&imcolor=%23000000&letterbox=false

finally the final step.

Go to left 4 dead 2/left4dead2 and go into gameinfo.txt. the section you need to edit should look like this:

(
game update
game left4dead2_dlc3
game left4dead2_dlc2
game left4dead2_dlc1
game gameinfo_path
game hl2

)

You need to add a new line in that section called:

game left4dead2_mods

(NOTE: it needs to be the first line)

if you want you can just copy and paste this in:

{
Game left4dead2_mods
Game update
Game left4dead2_dlc3
Game left4dead2_dlc2
Game left4dead2_dlc1
Game |gameinfo_path|.
Game hl2
}
}
}


Once you have done all that you're done, thanks for reading! (of course, script mods will not work like admin system, etc but if you want that I have a guide for you here: (couldent find guide sorry) you of course need to be host tho)

mod recommendation: ions vocalizer because why not… who doesn't wanna spam ♥♥♥♥♥ every single second as nick?

also thanks for reading this took longer then i expected

also also please tell me if you have any problems and why