Playtest setup
Start here
Set up your game and Vortex profile, then let the launcher install the Nineholds files.
Prepare Skyrim on Steam
You need your own Steam copy of Skyrim Special Edition with executable version 1.6.1170. The paid Anniversary Upgrade is not required. Start it once, reach the title screen, then quit so it creates its settings folders.
Keep the game on this version for the playtest. An update changes which native plugins it can load.
Create a dedicated Nineholds profile in Vortex
Install Vortex, manage Skyrim Special Edition, and create a profile named Nineholds.
Install the required Nineholds collection, revision 6 into that profile. Complete its installation choices, then deploy the mods. Downloading alone does not install them into the game. If you installed an earlier revision, update the collection in Vortex and deploy again: revision 6 adds Actor Limit Fix and Animation Queue Fix, which the launcher checks for.
The collection supplies SKSE 2.2.6, Address Library, Engine Fixes and its preloader, Actor Limit Fix, Animation Queue Fix, and Skyrim Platform AE 2.9.0. AE names the package for the 1.6.x game runtime, not a paid DLC requirement. The Platform SE archive also says 2.9.0 but targets the older 1.5.97 runtime.
Download and install the launcher
Open the launcher download page. It shows the current installer and its SHA-256 checksum; check the file you downloaded against it before running it.
Anyone may download the launcher. Your Discord account must be approved by the team before you can join.
Install the Nineholds server files
Open the launcher and check your setup. Select your Skyrim folder if it was not found. Review and install the server files when offered. The launcher deploys Nineholds client files, connection settings and the server load order, then verifies what was installed.
Vortex manages the required frameworks. Nineholds preserves the original multiplayer transport and installs its server-compatible version. Validate server files again after deploying mods in Vortex. If a required framework is missing or incompatible, return to the Nineholds profile, correct the collection installation, deploy again and recheck.
Sign in with Discord
Press Sign in with Discord in the launcher. Your own browser opens on Discord's page; approve the request there. The launcher never asks for your Discord password.
If your account is not on the server whitelist, ask the team to approve the account you signed in with. A successful file check does not replace this approval, and neither does downloading the launcher.
Press Play and enter the world
Play rechecks the deployed files and configuration, starts Skyrim through SKSE and attempts to join Nineholds. You do not need to open a server browser or press F6.
Your account has one persistent character. On your first arrival, complete character creation in the game; on later visits, resume that character. There is no separate character-selection screen.
Watch the launcher's progress messages. If it cannot confirm the connection or character loading, open diagnostics and send the report to the team.
Getting help
Send the launcher diagnostics report and the exact error to the team's Discord support channel. Include which collection revision you installed and whether Vortex completed deployment.