- Ostranauts ship editor: Standalone tool for designing and saving custom ship layouts
- JSON export: Ships are saved as data files that can be injected into your game save
- Starter ship modification: You can overwrite existing starter variants to change character creation options
- F3 Debug Console: Allows money adjustments and item spawning to test your custom builds
- File location: Ship data is found in the game's streaming assets folder
Understanding the Ostranauts Ship Editor
The Ostranauts ship editor is a powerful standalone utility that allows players to design, build, and test custom spacecraft outside the main game environment. Whether you want to create a compact shuttle for solo exploration or a massive freighter for cargo hauling, the editor provides the tools needed to place hull panels, install life support systems, and wire power conduits.
Once a ship is built, it saves as a JSON file. This file contains all the structural data, component placements, and naming conventions for your vessel. You can then use this file within the main game to spawn your custom creation.
Video Highlights:
- How to load and build ships in the standalone editor
- Exporting ship files and locating the correct JSON data
- Injecting custom ships into the ship broker kiosk
- Using the F3 debug console to adjust funds for testing
- Spawning items and components via debug commands
The ship editor operates separately from the main game client. You design your ship in the editor, save the file, and then manipulate your save data or game files to make it accessible during gameplay.
Core Editor Components
| System | Function | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Hull Plates | Form the physical structure and airtight rooms | Critical |
| Power Grid | Generates and distributes electricity | Critical |
| Life Support | Maintains breathable atmosphere and temperature | Critical |
| Propulsion | Enables ship movement and navigation | High |
| Control Consoles | Allows piloting and system management | High |
| Storage | Holds cargo, food, and spare parts | Medium |
Building Your First Custom Ship
Creating a functional vessel requires careful planning. A ship might look impressive but fail to sustain a crew if essential systems are missing or improperly connected. The editor gives you full freedom, but you must account for power generation, atmospheric regulation, and structural integrity.
Box Ship Design
- Simple rectangular layout
- Easy to seal and pressurize
- Efficient use of hull materials
- Ideal for first-time builders
Modular Design
- Separated functional zones
- Engine room isolated from crew quarters
- Easier damage control during gameplay
- Requires more connectors
Compact Shuttle
- Minimal footprint
- Single-crew operations
- Low power requirements
- Cost-effective for early game
Every room intended for human occupation must be completely sealed with hull plates. Even a single missing tile will cause atmospheric venting, making the ship uninhabitable.
Essential Ship Systems Checklist
| System | Required Components | Minimum per Ship |
|---|---|---|
| Power | Reactor, Batteries, Conduits | 1 Reactor |
| Atmosphere | O2 Scrubber, Air Vents, Heater | 1 per room |
| Navigation | Cockpit Console, Sensors | 1 Console |
| Propulsion | Thrusters, Fuel Tanks | 2 Thrusters |
| Storage | Cargo Lockers, Food Storage | 1 Locker |
Importing Ships into Your Save
Once your ship is designed and saved in the editor, the next step is making it available in-game. There are two primary methods: modifying the loot JSON to add your ship to a broker's inventory, or overwriting an existing starter ship variant.
Locate the Loot JSON File
Navigate to your Steam library: Steam/steamapps/common/Ostranauts/Ostranauts_Data/StreamingAssets/Data/. Find the file named loot.json and open it with a text editor.
Find the Ship Broker Entry
Use Ctrl+F to search for random_ship_broker_special_offer. This entry controls what ships appear at the broker kiosk when you sell your only vessel.
Insert Your Ship Name
Replace or add your ship's name in the appropriate field. Ensure the format uses the exact name from your saved editor file, such as trepidation=1.0x1.
Save and Launch
Save the JSON file, then launch Ostranauts. Visit the ship broker kiosk in-game. Your custom ship should now appear as the special offer.
Alternatively, you can modify one of the existing starter-only ship variants (such as the TU-76a) by saving your editor creation over that file. This changes the ship offered during character creation.
Import Methods Comparison
| Method | Difficulty | Reversible | Affects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loot JSON Edit | Medium | Yes (backup file) | Ship Broker kiosk |
| Starter Ship Overwrite | Easy | Yes (backup file) | Character creation |
| Mod Installation | Easy | Yes (remove mod) | Adds new ships to roster |
| Save File Injection | Hard | No | Current save only |
F3 Debug Console for Ship Testing
Testing a custom ship often requires significant in-game currency. The F3 debug console provides tools to adjust your character's funds, spawn items, and troubleshoot issues without grinding for resources.
Press F3 during gameplay to open the debug console. Type help to see a full list of available commands. Commands are case-sensitive, so type them exactly as shown.
Useful Debug Commands
| Command | Syntax | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Add Money | addcondition StatUSD [amount] | Sets character's cash balance |
| Spawn Item | spawnitem [item_id] | Places item in inventory or floor |
| List Items | help | Shows all available commands |
| Close Console | F3 | Toggles console off |
When entering numerical values in debug commands, do not include spaces or commas. For example, use 1000000000 rather than 1,000,000,000. Spaces will cause the command to fail silently.
Common Spawnable Items
| Item ID | Category | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| itm_capacitor | Components | Ship power systems |
| itm_motor | Components | Mechanical systems |
| itm_motherboard | Components | Computer systems |
| itm_conduit_random | Building | Power wiring |
| itm_floor_random | Building | Ship construction |
| itm_wall_random | Building | Ship construction |
| itm_work_lamp | Tools | Lighting and exploration |
| scrap_steel | Materials | Raw crafting material |
Ship Editor Best Practices
Pre-Flight Verification:
- All rooms are sealed and airtight with no missing hull plates
- Power reactor is installed and connected via conduits
- Life support systems are present in every habitable room
- Cockpit console is wired and accessible
- Ship name matches the JSON entry exactly
- Backup original JSON files before making any edits
- Test ship functionality using F3 debug tools before serious play
The Ostranauts Discord community hosts a collection of custom ship mods that can be downloaded and added to your game. These mods expand the ship roster without requiring manual JSON editing.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
| Problem | Likely Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Ship not at broker | JSON syntax error | Check for typos in ship name field |
| Ship unaffordable | High component count | Use F3 to add funds via StatUSD |
| Rooms not pressurizing | Missing hull plates | Seal all gaps in the editor |
| Console command fails | Extra spaces in input | Remove all spaces from values |
| Starter ship unchanged | Wrong variant overwritten | Ensure you edited a starter-only variant |
Ship Editor FAQ
Q: Can I add completely new ships to the character creation roster?
You cannot directly add new ships to the default roster through the editor alone. However, you can overwrite an existing starter-only variant (like the TU-76a) with your custom design, or install community mods from the Ostranauts Discord that add new ships to the rotation.
Q: Where do I find the loot JSON file for ship editing?
The loot JSON file is located in your Steam directory at Steam/steamapps/common/Ostranauts/Ostranauts_Data/StreamingAssets/Data/. Open loot.json with any text editor and search for random_ship_broker_special_offer to find the ship broker entries.
Q: Why does my custom ship cost so much at the broker?
The game evaluates the total value of all components, hull plates, and systems installed on your ship. A well-equipped vessel will naturally cost more. You can use the F3 debug console and type 'addcondition StatUSD [amount]' to add sufficient funds for testing.
Q: Are debug commands case-sensitive?
Yes, all debug commands in Ostranauts are case-sensitive. For example, StatUSD requires capital S and capital U. Always type commands exactly as specified, and avoid spaces within numerical values.