A framework that enables advanced Java mods for Project Zomboid.
[b]What it does:[/b]
ZombieBuddy is required by some mods to work. If a mod tells you to install ZombieBuddy, follow the instructions below.
Installation (One-Time Setup)
[b]Step 1:[/b] Subscribe to ZombieBuddy on Steam Workshop
[b]Step 2:[/b] Installation is required ONLY ONCE for ZombieBuddy itself.
[b]🪟 Windows:[/b]
[u]Option A: Automated Installer (Recommended)[/u]
[list]
[*] Close Steam completely (right-click Steam in system tray → Exit)
[*] Download the latest ZombieBuddyInstaller.exe from [url=https%3A%2F%2Fgithub.com%2Fzed-0xff%2FZombieBuddy%2Freleases%2F]GitHub Releases[/url][github.com]
[*] Run the installer - it will automatically detect your game folder, copy the files, and set up Steam launch options.
[*] Start Steam.
[/list]
[u]Option B: Manual Installation[/u]
[list]
[*] Copy ZombieBuddy.jar and zbNative.dll from:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\workshop\content\108600\3619862853\mods\ZombieBuddy\libs\
to your Project Zomboid folder:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\ProjectZomboid\
[*] Open Project Zomboid's launch options in Steam
[*] Add this launch option:
-agentlib:zbNative --
[*] [b]⚠️ IMPORTANT:[/b] The -- at the end is mandatory - do not omit it!
[/list]
[b]🍎 macOS / 🐧 Linux:[/b]
[list]
[*] Copy ZombieBuddy.jar from the mod's libs/ directory to:
[list]
[*] [b]macOS:[/b] ~/Library/Application Support/Steam/steamapps/common/ProjectZomboid/Project [url=http%3A%2F%2FZomboid.app%2FContents%2FJava%2F]Zomboid.app/Contents/Java/[/url]
[*] [b]Linux:[/b] ~/.steam/steam/steamapps/common/ProjectZomboid/projectzomboid/
[/list]
[*] Open Project Zomboid's launch options in Steam
[*] Add this JVM argument: -javaagent:ZombieBuddy.jar --
[*] [b]⚠️ IMPORTANT:[/b] The -- at the end is mandatory - do not omit it!
[/list]
[b]Step 3:[/b] After this setup, all mods that require ZombieBuddy will work automatically!
Uninstall
[list]
[*] [b]Disable the agent first:[/b] Open Project Zomboid → Properties → clear the Launch Options line
[*] Delete zbNative.dll and ZombieBuddy.jar from your Project Zomboid install directory
[*] Unsubscribe from ZombieBuddy on Steam
[/list]
⚠️ Security Warning ⚠️
Java mods enabled through ZombieBuddy have unrestricted access to your system. Only install mods from sources you trust.
[b]No jar will sneak in.[/b] Whenever a Java mod ships a new or updated JAR, ZombieBuddy shows a native dialog with the mod id, file path, last-modified date, and SHA-256 fingerprint. Nothing is loaded until you click [b]Yes[/b]. You can choose to remember the decision (per-mod, per-hash) or keep it session-only. Decisions are stored in:
[list]
[*] [b]Windows:[/b] %USERPROFILE%\.zombie_buddy\java_mod_approvals.txt
[*] [b]macOS / Linux:[/b] ~/.zombie_buddy/java_mod_approvals.txt
[/list]
If a previously-approved JAR changes on disk (hash mismatch), you will be prompted again.
Java Mod Policy
Controls what happens when an unknown/changed JAR is seen. Pass as a [b]policy=...[/b] argument:
[list]
[*] [b]prompt[/b] (default) - ask me each time via a native dialog.
[*] [b]deny-new[/b] - silently skip any JAR that isn't already approved.
[*] [b]allow-all[/b] - load every JAR without prompting. [b]Not recommended.[/b]
[/list]
Examples (block form, these go into Steam launch options):
-agentlib:zbNative=policy=deny-new -- (Windows)
-javaagent:ZombieBuddy.jar=policy=deny-new -- (macOS / Linux)
FAQ
[list]
[*] [b]Is it a virus?[/b]
No.
[*] [b]How to start game in debug mode?[/b]
-agentlib:zbNative -- -debug
[*] [b]Do I need to repeat manual installation after I upgrade/downgrade/validate game?[/b]
No.
[*] [b]Works on MP?[/b]
Yes.
[*] [b]Save compatibility?[/b]
Safe to add or remove on existing saves.
[*] [b]I clicked the wrong button in the approval dialog. How do I reset it?[/b]
Open
java_mod_approvals.txt
(path above), delete the offending
modId|sha256=yes|no
line, and restart the game.
[*] [b]Can I see which Java mods were loaded or blocked?[/b]
Yes - install [url=https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3709229404]Zed's Better ModList[/url] and the status is shown next to each JAR path in the mod list.
[*] [b]Supported game versions?[/b]
B41, B42.12, B42.13, B42.14, B42.15, B42.16
[/list]
Links
[url=https%3A%2F%2Fgithub.com%2Fzed-0xff%2FZombieBuddy]GitHub Repository[/url][github.com]
Support the Project
If you find ZombieBuddy useful, consider supporting its development:
[url=https%3A%2F%2Fko-fi.com%2Fzed_0xff][img]https://i.imgur.com/Utx6OIH.png[/img][/url][ko-fi.com]
Workshop ID: 3619862853
Mod ID: ZombieBuddy
