Catherine Hu
Quick Answer: TL;DR: The Short Answer
If you just want the absolute fastest method to execute the Starminer Save Editor Guide: Easiest Way to Get Unlimited Credits, follow these exact steps:
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\CoolAndGoodGames\Starminer\Saves.campaign_save.json file.campaign_save.json using a text editor like Notepad++ or VS Code."player_credits":.Losing a 40-hour fleet to a random asteroid collision simply because you couldn’t afford top-tier point-defense lasers is the ultimate soul-crusher. You grind for days mining basic ore and managing thermal outputs, only to get wiped out by bad RNG and an empty bank account. Stop wasting your life shooting rocks—it is time to rewrite the rules of the simulation.
Editor’s Note
After logging over 100 hours optimizing asteroid mining routes and reverse-engineering the JSON save structures of Starminer, I have mapped out every critical hex value and string variable you need. This guide is not just theory; it is the definitive, battle-tested blueprint for cracking the game’s economy without corrupting your campaign data.
Locating and Backing Up Your Starminer Save Files
Before you begin manipulating the code of Starminer, you must locate the local data. Because Starminer relies heavily on persistent physics and economic states, its save files are dense JSON documents.
Default Directory Paths
Depending on your operating system and platform (Steam vs. standalone), the directory will vary. Starminer uses the standard Unity engine local app data path.
| Operating System | Default Save File Path | Hidden Folders Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 10/11 | C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\LocalLow\CoolAndGoodGames\Starminer\Saves | Yes (Enable “Show Hidden Files”) |
| Linux (Proton) | ~/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/[AppID]/pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/AppData/LocalLow/ | Yes |
| Steam Cloud | \Program Files (x86)\Steam\userdata\[SteamID]\[AppID]\remote\ | No |
The Critical Backup Protocol
Never edit a live save file. Starminer features an aggressive auto-save system that will overwrite your file the moment you undock from a station. Create a folder named Starminer_Backups on your desktop. Copy your .json files there before opening them. If you corrupt the syntax by missing a single comma, Starminer will refuse to load the file, resulting in a blank main menu.
To dive deeper, read our guide on Best Mining Routes & Fast Resource Farming in Starminer
Decoding the Save File: Easiest Way to Get Unlimited Credits
The core of the Starminer Save Editor Guide: Easiest Way to Get Unlimited Credits lies in understanding how the game stores its economic data. Starminer does not encrypt its save files, making it highly accessible for manual text editing.
The JSON Structure of Starminer Economy
When you open campaign_save.json in Notepad++, you will be greeted by thousands of lines of code. You are looking for the root player data array.
Step-By-Step Credit Modification
The Integer Limit Warning
Starminer uses a 32-bit floating-point system for its currency in older builds, and a 64-bit integer in newer patches. Pushing the value too high will cause a buffer overflow, instantly resetting your wealth to zero or plunging you into negative debt.
| Desired Credit Value | JSON Input Example | Game Engine Reaction |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Million | “player_credits”: 10000000.0, | Safe. Perfect for buying end-game dreadnoughts. |
| 999 Million | “player_credits”: 999999999.0, | Safe. Maximum recommended threshold. |
| 2.14 Billion+ | “player_credits”: 2147483648.0, | Unsafe. High risk of 32-bit integer overflow. Results in negative credits. |
To dive deeper, read our guide on How to Stop Alien Attacks in Starminer (Zero Heat Signature Guide)
Advanced JSON Editing: Ship Stats and Reactor Output
Once you have mastered the Starminer Save Editor Guide: Easiest Way to Get Unlimited Credits, you can apply the exact same logic to modify your fleet’s physical capabilities.
Bypassing the Tonnage Cap
Starminer limits your early-game expansion by restricting your maximum fleet tonnage. You can bypass this by searching for “max_fleet_tonnage”: within the same campaign_save.json.
Change the default value from 5000 to 500000. This allows you to construct massive, sprawling mining stations and attach infinite thrusters without the game restricting your build mode.
Upgrading Reactor Output via Text Edit
Power management is the most tedious part of Starminer. If your lasers are draining your grid, you can artificially boost your reactor’s output. Search for “module_reactor_t1” (or whatever tier you currently have equipped).
Look for the child variable “power_output_mw”:. Change this from its default (e.g., 150.0) to 9999.0. Your ship will now have infinite energy, allowing you to fire multiple heavy mining lasers simultaneously without ever overheating.
To dive deeper, read our guide on Starminer Ship Building Guide: How to Bypass Mass & Power Limits
Manipulating Technology and Research Progression
Having infinite credits is only half the battle. If your tech tree is locked behind dozens of hours of scanning spatial anomalies, your billions in the bank remain essentially useless. Fortunately, Starminer’s research progression is governed by the same easily accessible JSON arrays.
Open your campaign_save.json and hit Ctrl+F to search for the string “tech_points_available”. Modifying this value allows you to completely bypass the early-game research grind. We recommend changing the default numerical value to 50000. This will provide more than enough overhead to immediately unlock Tier 3 Heavy Mining Lasers, Advanced Heat Radiators, and automated defense grids without triggering any internal progression soft-locks.
Master List of Crucial Starminer JSON String IDs
To truly dominate the simulation and maximize the potential of your manual tweaks, you need to understand the underlying code architecture. Below is a comprehensive matrix of the most impactful string identifiers you can modify safely.
| Data Category | JSON String Variable | Safe Value Range | In-Game Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | “player_credits” | 0.0 to 999999999.0 | Instantly injects unlimited purchasing power for fleet construction and resource trading. |
| Progression | “tech_points_available” | 0 to 50000 | Bypasses the scanning grind, allowing instant access to end-game ship modules. |
| Fleet Limit | “max_fleet_tonnage” | 5000 to 500000 | Removes the hard engine cap on massive space station and dreadnought designs. |
| Combat Aggro | “global_threat_level” | 0.0 to 1.0 | Forcing this to 0.0 permanently pauses all pirate raids and hostile faction incursions. |
| Vessel Stats | “hull_integrity_max” | 100 to 99999 | Renders your command ship virtually immune to catastrophic rogue asteroid collisions. |
Common Save Corruption Errors (And How to Fix Them)
Manual save editing in Starminer is powerful, but it is notoriously fragile. A single typo will crash the game engine upon loading.
The “Invalid JSON” Crash
If Starminer hangs on the loading screen at 90%, you have a syntax error. This almost always means you accidentally deleted a quotation mark \” or a comma , while editing your credits. Paste your entire save file text into a free online JSON Validator to instantly highlight the broken line of code.
Sync Conflicts with Cloud Saves
If you edit your credits to 999 Million, but the game loads and you still only have 4,500 credits, Steam Cloud is overwriting your local file.
| Error Behavior | Root Cause | The Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Infinite Loading Screen | Syntax Error (Missing Comma/Bracket) | Use a JSON Validator to find the missing character. |
| Credits Revert to Original | Steam Cloud Sync Overwrite | Launch Starminer, Alt+Tab to edit the file, save, then load the game from the menu. |
| Ship Disappears | Invalid Module ID entered | Revert to your backup file; never change string names, only numbers. |
The Ultimate Alternative: Bypassing the Grind with XMODhub
While manually dissecting JSON files is a viable Starminer Save Editor Guide: Easiest Way to Get Unlimited Credits, it is undeniably tedious. Every time Starminer pushes a new early-access update, the save file structure can change, breaking your edits and forcing you to hunt for new variable strings. Furthermore, manually tweaking reactor outputs and tonnage caps is a massive time sink when you just want to get back to building your fleet.
Instead of risking save corruption and battling Steam Cloud sync issues, you can completely bypass the technical headache with XMODhub. This tool injects modifications directly into the game’s active memory, giving you God-tier control over Starminer without ever touching a line of code.
With XMODhub, you get instant access to features like Infinite Credits, Instant Mining, No Heat Generation, and Infinite Reactor Power.
Here is how to dominate the galaxy in seconds:
Frequently Asked Questions
A: No. Starminer is a single-player/co-op PvE experience. It does not utilize Valve Anti-Cheat (VAC) or any competitive anti-cheat software. Modifying your local save files or using memory injectors like XMODhub is completely safe for your Steam account.
A: Yes. In the JSON file, search for \”cargo_inventory\”. You will see an array of items. Find the ID for the ore you want (e.g., \”item_id\”: \”ore_titanium\”) and change the \”quantity\”: value to your desired amount.
A: This is caused by Steam Cloud automatically downloading the older, unedited save file from the server, thinking your local edit is an error. You must disable Steam Cloud saves for Starminer in the game’s Steam Properties before editing the JSON.
A: Yes. XMODhub features dynamic auto-updating algorithms. When Starminer patches its economy or ship mechanics, the trainer automatically aligns with the new memory addresses, meaning your infinite credits will never break.
Conclusion
Mastering the Starminer Save Editor Guide: Easiest Way to Get Unlimited Credits fundamentally transforms how you experience the game. By diving into the JSON structure, you strip away the brutal early-game resource grind and open up a sandbox of pure creativity. Whether you are artificially inflating your bank account to purchase a massive dreadnought or tweaking your reactor’s output to handle experimental laser arrays, manual save editing puts you in the developer’s seat.
However, for those who value their time and want to avoid the constant risk of JSON syntax errors, utilizing a dedicated memory tool is the undeniable meta. XMODhub not only supports Starminer but boasts a massive ecosystem supporting over 5,000+ single-player PC games. If you enjoy breaking the limits in physics-based sandbox titles, this same tool will revolutionize your playthroughs in similar games like Space Engineers. Stop grinding, and start building the ultimate galactic empire today.
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