Modlist Startup Helper Utility

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Description

Modlist Startup Helper Utility is a small Papyrus script package built to make a modlist easier to start and easier to understand. It handles the first steps of the setup flow, shows a welcome message, and gives the player clear hotkey guidance without adding unnecessary menus or systems. Everything is kept lightweight and simple, with settings handled through an external JSON config.

What It Does

This utility focuses on a few practical tasks that help the player get started. It shows a welcome message when the startup sequence is complete, then gives hotkey hints so the player can quickly learn the available controls. It also lets the player open a keybind menu with a configured combo key, which makes the setup feel more direct and less confusing.

The helper text is designed to stay out of the way. It hides during menus and dialogue so the screen stays clean, and it only appears when it is actually useful. The mod reads its settings from a JSON file through PapyrusUtil, making it easy to configure.

Core Structure

🚀Startup Quest Script

Handles the main flow when the game reaches the setup step. Triggers the welcome message and initialises the helper.

💬Helper Effect Script

Manages on-screen hotkey hints. Controls visibility — hides during menus and dialogue, only shows when useful.

⌨️Keybind Script

Listens for the configured combo key and opens the keybind menu when the player presses it.

Built using:

🔸 B612 — UI Components 🔸 SkyInteract 🔸 PapyrusUtil

Configuration

Everything is configurable in ModlistStartup.json.

welcomeMessage = "Welcome to {Modlist}. The initialisation will proceed now. Please wait 5 minutes before leaving the room. Enjoy your journey!" standardHotkey = 87 comboHotkey = 68

The welcome message supports placeholders to display key names automatically:

The full list of keycodes for configuring the JSON is available on the Creation Kit wiki — Input Script page.

How It Works

When the player starts the game, the mod shows a welcome message, using the custom one if configured, or falling back to the default. It then adds the helper that keeps the keybind hints available.

The helper stays out of the way when it should. It hides during menus and dialogue and only appears when useful. The combo key can also open the keybind menu when the game allows input.

Compatibility

This mod has no known incompatibilities. It is meant to sit quietly inside a modlist and support the user experience rather than change gameplay.

⚠ This mod is entirely useless without an alternate start mod. The vanilla intro is not supported.

FAQ

Can I change the hotkeys?

Yes. The hotkeys are read from the JSON config file.

Does the helper stay visible all the time?

No. It hides during menus and dialogue to stay out of the way. It also only shows in the starting cell of the alternate start mod you use.

Credits

Thanks to exiledviper for PapyrusUtil.

Thanks to shazdeh2 for SkyInteract and B612, and also for the help setting up the base scripts.

Thanks to the users of the Wunduniik modlist, who were unintentionally beta testing this mod in the latest update.

If you'd like to support development:

☕ Ko-fi ❤ Patreon