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Syncing copies or links your enabled mods from the staging directory into the game directory so the game can load them. Until you sync, changes to your enabled/disabled mod selection have no effect on the game.

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What sync does

When you click Sync, BD2 Mod Manager:
  1. Reads the list of all currently enabled mods from the staging directory.
  2. Creates the target folder in the game directory if it does not already exist: 
    <game_dir>/BepInEx/plugins/BrownDustX/mods/BD2MM/
  3. Transfers each enabled mod into that folder using the configured sync method (Copy, Symlink, or Hardlink).
  4. Writes a manifest file at <game_dir>/.bd2mm.json recording which mods were synced and their state.
  5. Removes any previously synced mods that are no longer enabled.
Only mods that are enabled are synced. Disabled mods are never written to the game directory.

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Sync methods

You can choose how files are transferred in Settings → Sync method.
Each enabled mod folder is copied into the game directory. This is the safest option and works without elevated permissions.
  • No administrator rights required.
  • Uses extra disk space equal to the total size of all enabled mods.
  • Changes to mods in staging are not reflected until you sync again.
Using Symlink without running BD2 Mod Manager as administrator will result in a SymlinkAdminRequired error. Switch to Copy or Hardlink if you cannot run as administrator.

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Unsync

Unsync removes all BD2MM-managed mods from the game directory. The manifest at <game_dir>/.bd2mm.json is also removed. Use unsync to:
  • Temporarily run the game without any mods.
  • Clean up the game directory before uninstalling BD2 Mod Manager.
  • Fix a broken sync state.
Unsync does not delete mods from the staging directory. Your mods remain intact and you can sync them again at any time.
To unsync, click the Unsync button in the Mods tab toolbar.

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When is sync needed?

BD2 Mod Manager tracks whether the current enabled/disabled state matches what was last synced. The is sync needed check compares the current mod list against the manifest. A sync is needed when:
  • You have enabled or disabled one or more mods since the last sync.
  • You have installed a new mod and enabled it.
  • You have deleted a mod that was previously synced.
  • You have changed the sync method in settings.
If a sync is needed, a Sync required indicator appears in the toolbar.
Enable Auto-sync in settings to have BD2 Mod Manager sync automatically whenever you toggle a mod, so you never need to sync manually.

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Game directory layout after sync

<game_dir>/
├── BepInEx/
│   └── plugins/
│       └── BrownDustX/
│           └── mods/
│               └── BD2MM/
│                   ├── Luvia_Standing_v2/
│                   └── Elena_Cutscene/
└── .bd2mm.json

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Sync errors

ErrorCauseResolution
SymlinkAdminRequiredSymlink sync attempted without administrator rights.Run BD2 Mod Manager as administrator, or switch to Copy or Hardlink sync method.
ModPathNotFoundA mod’s staging folder was moved or deleted before sync completed.Re-install the missing mod or disable it before syncing.
CopyFailedFile copy failed due to a permissions or disk error.Check disk space and folder permissions on the game directory.
SymlinkFailedSymbolic link creation failed.Verify administrator rights or switch sync method.
HardlinkFailedHard link creation failed, likely because staging and game are on different drives.Move staging to the same drive as the game, or use Copy sync method.
DirectoryCreationFailedCould not create the BD2MM/ folder in the game directory.Check write permissions for the game’s BepInEx/plugins/BrownDustX/mods/ path.
RemovalFailedCould not remove a previously synced mod during unsync or re-sync.Check for file locks (is the game running?) and folder permissions.
Close the game before syncing or unsyncing. Open game files can cause CopyFailed or RemovalFailed errors.

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