How to Use Lua Scripts for Steam Manifest Unlocking
A beginner-friendly guide to understanding Lua scripts, depot keys, and manifest unlocking for Steam games.
January 10, 20268 min read

Understanding Lua Scripts for Steam
Lua scripts are the backbone of SteamTools unlocking. But what exactly are they, and how do they work?
What is a Lua Script?
A Lua script is a lightweight programming file that tells SteamTools which game content to unlock. It contains:
- Depot IDs: Unique identifiers for game content packages
- Manifest IDs: Version-specific content identifiers
- Decryption Keys: Keys needed to access protected content
The Anatomy of a DexLua Script
When you download a script from DexLua, you'll see something like this:
addappid(1245620, 1, "Elden Ring")
addappid(1245621, 0, "Elden Ring Soundtrack")
Each line represents a piece of content being unlocked.
Step-by-Step Installation
- Generate Your Script: Search for your game on DexLua and download the Lua file
- Locate SteamTools: Find your SteamTools installation directory
- Copy the Script: Paste the .lua file into the scripts folder
- Restart Steam: Close and reopen Steam to apply changes
- Launch Your Game: Your content should now be accessible
Common Issues and Fixes
- Script not working? Make sure you're using the latest version
- Game won't launch? Check if the game has Denuvo protection
- Missing content? Try regenerating the script from DexLua
For more help, visit our FAQ page.
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