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Documentation Index

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Crowbar is an open-source Windows application designed for GoldSource and Source engine modders. It bundles everything you need to work with game models and packages — from decompiling .mdl files into editable source files, to compiling QC scripts, extracting VPK archives, and publishing to the Steam Workshop.

Installation

Download Crowbar and get it running on Windows in minutes.

Quickstart

Decompile your first model and recompile it back in five steps.

Set Up Games

Configure game profiles so Crowbar knows where your tools live.

Core Tools

Explore Decompile, Compile, Unpack, Pack, and View.

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What Crowbar Does

Crowbar covers the full modding workflow for both classic GoldSource games (Half-Life, Counter-Strike 1.6) and modern Source engine titles (Left 4 Dead 2, Team Fortress 2, CS:GO, and many more).

Decompile

Convert compiled .mdl files back into QC scripts, SMD meshes, and animation files.

Compile

Run StudioMDL through Crowbar’s GUI with per-game compiler options.

Unpack

Extract content from VPK and GMA packages with search and filter support.

Pack

Create VPK packages from folders for distribution or deployment.

View

Preview models in HLMV or your game’s model viewer directly from Crowbar.

Workshop

Download and publish Steam Workshop addons without leaving the tool.

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Getting Started

1

Install Crowbar

Download the latest release from the Steam community page and extract it to a folder on your PC. No installer required.
2

Set up a game profile

Open the Set Up Games tab and configure a game entry with paths to your game’s gameinfo.txt, StudioMDL compiler, and HLMV viewer. See Game Setup.
3

Decompile a model

Switch to the Decompile tab, browse to a .mdl file, choose an output folder, and click Decompile. Crowbar extracts the QC file, SMD meshes, and animations.
4

Edit and recompile

Modify the decompiled source files in your preferred editor, then use the Compile tab to run StudioMDL and produce a new .mdl.

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Supported Engines and Versions

Crowbar supports a wide range of MDL versions across multiple engines:
EngineExample GamesMDL Versions
GoldSourceHalf-Life, CS 1.6, TFCv06, v10, v2531
SourceHL2, TF2, L4D2, CS:GOv44–v53
Legacy SourcePortal, EP1/EP2v27–v49
See the full Supported MDL Versions reference for the complete list.

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