, there is no official in-game method or "magic mirror" to change your character's base appearance (hair, skin color, or gender) after creation
. To achieve this without starting over, you must use specific mods or manual save file editing. Steam Community Recommended Mods & Tools
While most "appearance" mods focus on clothing or crew, these tools allow you to modify your actual character: StarExtensions
: This is widely considered the most effective modern solution. It adds an in-game character editor that you can open by typing /editor open
in the chat. It allows you to re-access the character creation screen for your existing character.
: A powerful external save editor. Although it is older (designed for version 1.2x), it remains a popular choice for changing species, names, and appearance settings like RGB color pickers for skin and hair. Always backup your player files
before using this, as it can corrupt saves if used incorrectly. OpenStarbound : A source-port project that includes commands like /run player.setSpecies("race_id") to change your character's race on the fly. Manual File Editing (The "Proper Paper" Method) starbound change character appearance mod
If you prefer not to use a mod, you can manually "unpack" your save file, edit the data, and "repack" it. This requires a text editor like Character appearance :: Starbound General Discussions
Here’s a full-feature guide and overview for changing your character’s appearance in Starbound using mods, since the base game doesn’t allow post-creation edits.
For players who don’t want to use mods.
Two of the most popular custom races—Felin (space cats) and Avali (feathered raptors)—come with their own nuanced appearance systems. The Felin mod includes tail color matching, ear styles, and fur patterns. Crucially, you need the Appearance mod to change these mid-game, because Felin uses custom JSON tags that vanilla commands can’t read.
A methodical chronicle documenting the creation, development, release, and post-release maintenance of a Starbound mod that lets players change their character appearance in-game. This chronicle is organized chronologically into stages: concept, planning, development, testing, release, community reception, updates/maintenance, and lessons learned. Each stage includes objectives, actions taken, decisions made, artifacts produced, and measurable outcomes.
No vanilla method exists, so modding is the only practical solution for changing your Starbound character’s appearance after creation. , there is no official in-game method or
Changing a character's appearance in post-creation is notoriously tricky because the game lacks a built-in "magic mirror" or barber system. While there isn't one definitive "perfect" mod that handles this seamlessly within the UI like other modern RPGs, several community-driven solutions exist—ranging from in-game editors to external save manipulation. Notable Appearance & Customization Mods
StarExtensions: This is widely considered the most modern and "cleanest" solution. It is a client-side extension (found on GitHub rather than Steam) that adds an in-game character editor.
Usage: Once installed, players can type /editor open in the chat to access a customization menu.
Pro Tip: It is recommended to unequip cosmetic items before using it to avoid visual glitches or resets.
Cutebound / Make the Universe a Cuter Place: One of the most popular aesthetic mods, it completely overhauls the default character sprites (faces, bodies, and hair) into a more stylized, anime-inspired look.
Impact: It doesn't give you a menu to change your hair on the fly, but it replaces the global appearance of existing races. Objective: Release to testers, iterate based on feedback
Colorbound: This mod significantly expands the color palette available during character creation and can sometimes be used in conjunction with save editing to access colors that weren't originally available.
Simple Extended Character Creation 2.0: While primarily for starting new characters with modded races, it is essential if you want to swap your current character to a custom race using external tools, as it ensures the UI can handle the additional race slots. Alternative: External Tools & Manual Methods
If you don't want to rely on mods that might break with game updates, the community often uses these manual methods:
Starcheat: A powerful third-party character save editor. It allows you to open your .player file and manually change values for your hair, skin color, and even your race ID.
Warning: Always back up your save before using this, as it is a third-party application.
The "New Character" File Swap: A common workaround is to create a new character with your desired appearance, then use a text editor like Notepad++ to copy the specific appearance data chunks from the new character's .player file into your old one.
In-Game Commands: Players using OpenStarbound (another popular engine extension) can use commands like /run player.setSpecies("race_id") to change their character's race instantly.