4 min read Intermediate 15.9k

Install DarkRP from scratch on a GMod server

Published on May 18, 2026 at 04:00 PM

DarkRP is the #1 GMod roleplay gamemode. Complete install at VeryCloud on Wisp: addons, dependencies, job customization, first optimizations.

Introduction

DarkRP turns your GMod server into a roleplay city with an economy, jobs (police, mafia, medic), real estate, day/night cycle. Free, open source, but a steep learning curve. This guide gets you started cleanly.

Prerequisites

A Garry's Mod server at VeryCloud
ULX already installed (see dedicated tutorial)
Access to Files and Startup in Wisp

Step 1: Download DarkRP

Via GitHub:

DarkRP: https://github.com/FPtje/DarkRP/archive/master.zip
DarkRPModification: https://github.com/FPtje/DarkRPModification/archive/master.zip

💡 Never modify DarkRP directly! All customization goes through DarkRPModification to stay upgradable.

Step 2: Upload

In Wisp → Files → /garrysmod/gamemodes/:

Upload contents of DarkRP-master/ → rename to darkrp/
Go to /garrysmod/addons/
Upload contents of DarkRPModification-master/ → rename to darkrpmodification/

Expected structure:

/garrysmod/
├── gamemodes/
│   └── darkrp/
│       ├── gamemode/
│       └── entities/
└── addons/
    └── darkrpmodification/
        └── lua/darkrp_customthings/

Step 3: Configure the gamemode at boot

In Wisp → Startup:

GAMEMODE = darkrp
MAP      = rp_downtown_v4c_v2

The map is either in your workshop collection or uploaded manually to /garrysmod/maps/.

Step 4: First boot

Restart. Logs:

[DarkRP] Loaded gamemode darkrp v2.x.x
[DarkRP] Loaded 24 jobs
[DarkRP] Loaded 47 entities

Loading errors = misedited jobs.lua — see step 5.

Step 5: Configure jobs

Custom jobs declared in /garrysmod/addons/darkrpmodification/lua/darkrp_customthings/jobs.lua.

Example:

TEAM_BAKER = DarkRP.createJob("Baker", {
    color = Color(255, 200, 100, 255),
    model = {"models/player/Group01/Female_01.mdl", "models/player/Group01/male_01.mdl"},
    description = [[Sell fresh bread to citizens]],
    weapons = {},
    command = "baker",
    max = 2,
    salary = 80,
    admin = 0,
    vote = false,
    hasLicense = false,
    candemote = true,
    category = "Citizens",
})

Restart to apply. Jobs appear in the F4 in-game menu.

Step 6: Pick a map

Popular RP maps:

rp_downtown_v4c_v2 — historic, free, on workshop
rp_evocity_v33x — EvoCity, very used
rp_unioncity — modern, huge
rp_rockford_v2b — urban GTA-like

Add to workshop collection and update MAP in Startup.

Step 7: DarkRP settings

Edit /garrysmod/gamemodes/darkrp/gamemode/config/settings.lua:

GM.Config.AdminProducts = false
GM.Config.maxprops = 30
GM.Config.startingmoney = 500
GM.Config.paydelay = 360
GM.Config.killtime = 10

⚠️ Ideally customs go in darkrpmodification to avoid breaking on DarkRP updates, but settings.lua is often edited directly.

Step 8: Economy + MySQL (recommended)

Default DarkRP stores economy in local SQLite. For a serious server, switch to MySQL:

Create a MySQL DB
Install mysqloo (see dedicated tutorial)
Edit /garrysmod/addons/darkrpmodification/lua/darkrp_config/mysql.lua:

MySQLite.config.EnableMySQL = true
MySQLite.config.Host        = "your.mysql.host"
MySQLite.config.Port        = 3306
MySQLite.config.Username    = "darkrp_user"
MySQLite.config.Password    = "pass"
MySQLite.config.Database    = "darkrp"

Restart.

Step 9: Admin permissions

DarkRP admin commands are gated by ULX:

ulx groupallow superadmin DarkRP.*
ulx groupallow admin DarkRP.kick
ulx groupallow admin DarkRP.warrant

Step 10: Test

Connect in-game, press F4 (DarkRP menu). You should see jobs list, shop, wallet, RP commands (/advert, /me, /y).

Troubleshooting

Gamemode doesn't load — folder must be exactly garrysmod/gamemodes/darkrp/. Check console for Lua errors. "attempt to call nil value" at boot — DarkRP / addon conflict. Disable addons one by one. Jobs don't load — Lua syntax error in jobs.lua. Console points to the line. Wallet at 0 and not updating — DB not connected (MySQL). In SQLite, check data/sv.db is writable.

Useful commands

/buyammo <type>
/setjob <job>
/say
/advert <msg>
/me <action>
/y <msg>
darkrp_giveMoney <amount>

Conclusion

DarkRP installed in a few hours with ULX and a workshop collection = solid base for an RP server. Real complexity starts with customization: custom jobs, addons, balanced economy. But the technical base at VeryCloud on Wisp takes half a day max.

Going further: popular RP addons (LibK Inventory, prop protection), deep customization via darkrpmodification, economy balance for public server.