Source-checkedBuilding & decoration

Module Switcher Attachment

by StephenB · for Factorio

Use inserters to add/remove modules from a building, through an attached chest

54Downloads
19 mo agoLast updated
MITLicense
Factorio Mod PortalSource

About Module Switcher Attachment

From Factorio Mod Portal

Use inserters to add/remove modules from a building, through an attached chest

Adds a chest that you can place next to anything that uses modules. The chest mirrors the contents of the machine's module inventory, so you can add/remove modules from the machine using inserters, via the chest.

(This uses the engine's new "proxy container" feature. The only runtime scripting this mod does is to link attachments to machines when they're placed.)

Example uses:

  • Add/remove quality modules from furnaces to balance production/consumption of different quality levels.
  • For systems that set recipes in assemblers automatically, such as the "omni-crafter", you can add prod/quality modules only if the recipe allows them.
  • For modded modules that spoil. For example Legendary Space Age has spoiling modules, though they're currently only allowed in beacons because this mod didn't exist when I was designing LSA.
video

The attachment works for everything with modules: furnaces, assemblers, rocket silos, labs, mining drills, and beacons. It's actually not necessary for beacons, which can already interact with inserters.

Some edge cases: Machines can link to multiple attachments, but each attachment only links to one machine. If you place 2 attachments linked to the same machine, and an inserter between them, the inserter will move modules from the one attachment to the other one, repeating forever. If you put a machine with module inventory next to an unlinked attachment, they will link. If the attachment is already linked to a machine, it won't link to the new machine. If you put an attachment next to multiple machines with module inventories, it links to the first one it finds (checking top, then bottom, then left, then right). If you put an attachment next to 2 machines, and delete the one it's linked to, it doesn't automatically link to the new one, because linking only happens when an entity is built. If you have an attachment linked to a machine, and you delete the machine, and place a new machine, the attachment will link to the new machine. Mining an attachment doesn't give you the modules, but mining the machine does.

Ideas for additional features:

  • Show arrow to attached building. Show warning icon if no attached building.
  • You could make a mod with similar attachments for other inventories - fuel, ingredients, products, trash, chest, rocket cargo, etc.
  • You could make a mod that adds attachments that attach to other attachments. So you could string together like 10 attachments on a chest, allowing you to insert/output from any of those 10 points. You could replace transport belts with lines of connected chests.

Highlights

From source data

Footprint

Rated a light load on a server.

License

Published under MIT.

Last update

Its author last shipped an update 19 mo ago.

Module Switcher Attachment on Nxeon

From our catalogue
One-click install
Supported on Nxeon Factorio servers. We download it from Factorio Mod Portal, place it, and restart the server.
Server side
Required on the server
Server load
light
Smallest plan we suggest
Factorio — 2 GB (2 GB RAM). This follows our own load rating above, not a benchmark.
Latest build
1.0.0, released 2025-04-02

Run Module Switcher Attachment on a Factorio server

Pick a server or deploy a new one above; it is installed in one click.

What kind of mod it is

From the catalog
Listed on Factorio Mod Portal as “Mods”

Building & decoration

Blocks, furniture, decorations and building tools.

Runs on your server

From source side support

Factorio Mod Portal lists Module Switcher Attachment as required on the server. Check its Factorio Mod Portal page to see whether players need it too.

Compatibility

Game
Factorio
Runs on
Serverrequired on the server

Verified at the source

  • ✓Factorio Mod PortalOfficial listing, checked 2026-10-09Open ↗
  • ✓AuthorStephenB, as published on Factorio Mod Portal
  • ✓LicenseMITFree

Module Switcher Attachment, answered

Generated from the mod’s own source data.

Do my players need to install Module Switcher Attachment?

Factorio Mod Portal lists Module Switcher Attachment as required on the server. Check its Factorio Mod Portal page to see whether players need it too.

Is it free?

Yes. Module Switcher Attachment is free to download from Factorio Mod Portal. Its license is MIT.

How do I add it to my Nxeon server?

Use “Add to a server” on this page, or open NxLabs from your dashboard. We install it, restart your server and switch it on.

NxLabs

Run Module Switcher Attachment on a Factorio server.

Deploy in about a minute from $2.99 a month, then add Module Switcher Attachment in one click.