The Unified SDK ships a suite of automation tools written in .NET that handle asset synchronisation, mod packaging, game-content installation, and map upgrading. These tools are included in theDocumentation Index
Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/twhl-community/halflife-unified-sdk/llms.txt
Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
hlu/tools directory of every mod installation archive and are designed to work on both Windows and Linux.
Prerequisites
All .NET tools require the .NET 6 SDK to be installed on your machine.Download the .NET 6 SDK
Visit the official download page and select the .NET 6 SDK installer for your operating system:https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download
Run the installer
Execute the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions. No additional configuration is required after installation.
Launching .NET Tools
Every Unified SDK tool ships as both a Windows executable (.exe) and a portable .NET assembly (.dll). Choose the appropriate approach for your platform.
- Windows
- Linux / Other Platforms
On Windows you can launch a tool by double-clicking its Running from a command window is recommended when you need to pass options or review the tool’s output.
.exe in File Explorer, or by running it from a Command Prompt or PowerShell window:Common Command-Line Options
All Unified SDK tools are built with System.CommandLine, which provides a consistent set of built-in options across every tool.| Option | Description |
|---|---|
--version | Display version information for the tool and exit. |
-?, -h, --help | Display help text including a description of the tool’s purpose and a full list of available options and arguments. |
Available Tools
AssetSynchronizer
Copies assets from the assets repository to your mod directory and monitors for changes in real time.
Packager
Creates a timestamped ZIP distribution archive of your mod installation and removes old archives on success.
ContentInstaller
Copies, converts, and upgrades maps from Half-Life, Opposing Force, and Blue Shift into the mod directory.
MapUpgrader
Standalone tool to upgrade a custom map made for vanilla Half-Life to the Unified SDK format.
Related Pages
Mod Setup
Learn how AssetSynchronizer and Packager fit into the full development and release workflow.
Project Structure
Understand the repository layout and where the C# tools source code lives.