Requirements

Cyberpunk 2077 2.5 requires at least these framework versions:

• Cyber Engine Tweaks 1.38.0 or newer
• RED4ext 1.31.0 or newer
• redscript 0.5.32 or newer
• Codeware 1.21.1 or newer

These frameworks must support your installed game version. After a game update, check for compatible framework and mod versions before using the editor.

First installation

1. Download the mod from Nexus Mods.
2. Install all four required frameworks: Cyber Engine Tweaks (CET), RED4ext, redscript, and Codeware. CET is required for both menus.
3. Remove Character Customization Anywhere and fully restart the game.
4. Extract Character Preset Manager (CET) 4.0.1.zip into the main Cyberpunk 2077 folder. Merge its bin, r6, and red4ext folders with the folders already there.
5. Start the game. If CET asks you to choose an overlay key on its first launch, finish that setup and close the overlay.
6. Open character creation for a new game, or load a save and use an apartment mirror to change your appearance. The simple menu appears on the left of the character screen automatically.
7. Use Preset Name, Save Location, and Save Preset to save your appearance, or select a preset in the list to load it. Read Panel Status for progress and check the result before confirming your appearance.

The simple menu includes saving, loading, search, folders, recovery, Trash, and randomizing. Keep the CET overlay closed while using those controls.

For more tools, select Advanced Preset Manager to open CET and show the complete manager. Keep the game in focus while it opens. The complete manager includes backups, sharing, compatibility checks, Help, and logs. It starts near the right side; move or resize it as needed, and CET remembers where you leave it.

Update an existing installation

1. Back up the complete Character Presets and Data folders from your current mod folder. This keeps presets, sharing files, folder lists, settings, recovery history, and Trash.
2. Remove the old Character Preset Manager (CET) mod folder.
3. Remove r6/scripts/CharacterPresetManager so no old menu scripts remain in the game. Your presets are stored elsewhere.
4. Install version 4.0.1 and its four required frameworks.
5. Restore your saved Character Presets and Data folders.
6. Fully restart the game.

Keep a separate copy of older presets if you still need them in an earlier mod version. Loading alone does not upgrade their file format.

Compatibility

Character-option mods

CC and CCXL choices work when they appear in the game's normal character screens. Linked options and separate eye colors are supported.

Examples include EKT Custom Character Creator - FEMV ONLY for facial choices and Head Cyberware CCXL for added cyberware choices. Install each mod and its requirements separately; presets save choices, not the mod files.

Keep the mods, versions, body and eye choices, and load order used to make a preset. If that setup changes, check the result and save the corrected appearance again; missing custom choices cannot be recreated by the mod.

Incompatibility

Remove Character Customization Anywhere, then fully restart the game. Both mods change the same character screens and cannot work together.

Loading clears unused old choices, applies main choices, then applies linked colors and details. Changes run in small groups, with a shared check after each stage. Automatic camera focus pauses until loading finishes or is cancelled. Check your appearance before confirming the editor.

Check compatibility

Choose a preset, open Advanced Preset Options, and select Check Compatibility. The Load status card separates matching and changing choices, missing options, repeated or unclear matches, invalid entries, and old choices that loading will clear.

The mod keeps an option cache in memory while the character editor is open. It checks current lists as they are used, so added, removed, renamed, or reordered choices replace stale entries. Linked choices are checked again after their style changes. Game objects are always read from the current editor.

Use Refresh options in Load & Restore Appearance to clear this cache and read the current editor list again. This is separate from Refresh, which updates preset files. Wait for loading to finish before refreshing options. Installing or removing character mods may still require restarting the game; refreshing cannot make the game load new mod files.

Checks run when you request them. Selecting a preset, opening CET, refreshing, changing Force Full Load, or finishing a load does not start another comparison.

Showcase

Watch my mod showcase to see Character Preset Manager in action.

Choose a menu

The simple menu uses red frames and cyan highlights to match the game. Randomize and Randomize Settings sit below its title and also appear under Open & Edit Appearance in CET. Both use the game's randomizer and category locks. The original buttons hide only when the replacements are ready.

R still works in the character screen. Wait for loading or recovery to finish before randomizing; from CET, select Randomize Settings, then close the overlay to see the game's settings.

Open the complete manager with your normal CET overlay key. The unused Toggle Character Preset Manager (CET) binding has been removed.

Optional editor key

Open CET Bindings > Character Preset Manager (CET) and assign Open Full Appearance Editor. Close the overlay before pressing the key in normal gameplay.

Help shows the assigned key when CET provides it. Otherwise, Help reports whether that input has been received during the current game session.

Open the advanced manager

Select Advanced Preset Manager to open CET and show the CPM window. The native helper reads your saved CET binding and presses it once after you release the mouse button. Keep the game in focus and release other keys.

If CET does not open, press its overlay binding yourself. Set that binding in CET first if you have not chosen one; CPM does not change your bindings.

Use the simple menu

Select a preset once to load it. Open a folder row to see its contents, or use Search to narrow the list by preset name, folder, or tag. Refresh reads files added or changed outside the game.

Loading finishes automatically after that one click. The loader waits for hair, cyberware, and linked choices to settle before sending another change. If a value cannot be confirmed, check the warning and appearance before continuing.

A closed folder hides its subfolders too. Main folders are cyan; nested folders are yellow and begin with >. Favorites appear near the top, and presets outside folders appear under All Presets.

The selected-preset line shows its folder, number of saved options, format, and tags. Read Panel Status for progress, errors, overwrite prompts, and the final result.

To save, enter a name in Preset Name, select Save Location, and choose a folder or All Presets. Press Save Preset once. If the name is in use, press Confirm Overwrite only when you want to replace that preset.

Move Preset to Trash becomes Confirm Move to Trash before moving the selected file. Restore it or delete it permanently through CET.

Cancel Load stops further changes. Choices already applied remain visible, so check the result before confirming your appearance.

Use the complete CET manager

To save an appearance:

1. Open a supported character screen and the CET manager.
2. Check the save location in the status card.
3. Use Change Save Location to choose another folder or All Presets.
4. Enter a name and select Save New Preset.
5. Use the overwrite prompt only if you want to replace an existing preset.

To load an appearance:

1. Open a supported character screen.
2. Choose a preset under Load & Restore Appearance.
3. Check its name, folder, format, and number of saved options.
4. Select Load Selected Preset once and wait for the final status.
5. Check the visible result before confirming the editor.

The loader reads the current options as the editor updates. It waits for linked choices, including cyberware layers, clears old choices the preset does not use, and checks the saved values at the end. It also rebuilds the visible option list; a confirmed value does not replace your visual check.

A warning names choices the game could not confirm. If the same required options stay missing after three checks, loading stops; check your character mods, correct the appearance if needed, and save it again.

Force Full Load

Find this under Load & Restore Appearance > Advanced Preset Options. Current format-8 files normally match by editor slot and saved choice name; Force Full Load also allows less certain matches by position when older files lack those details.

It turns on automatically for older formats that need it, and turns off when you choose a current preset. You can change it yourself. After adding, removing, or reordering character mods, check hair, colors, and other matched choices, then save the corrected preset in format 8.

Randomize

Use Randomize or Randomize Settings in either menu. The settings choose which categories the game can change, and both menus share those locks. R remains available in the character screen.

From CET, select Randomize Settings, then close the overlay to open the settings. These actions are unavailable while a preset is loading or restoring.

Interface previews

Simple menu

Find a preset on the left and select it to load. The same panel has save, recovery, Trash, and advanced-manager controls.

Complete CET manager

CET keeps all library tools in one window. Open a section heading to see its controls, or use Help to find a specific action.

Full apartment mirrors

Apartment mirrors show the full character-creation list. They use the same preset tools as the Full Appearance Editor.

Voice Tone cannot be changed mid-game. Choose your voice during new-game character creation; confirming appearance edits does not save a different voice.

Supported ACU files

The importer reads these layouts:

• ACU 3.0.0 JSON with camel-case field names.
• ACU 3.0.1 JSON with snake-case field names.
• ACU 3.2.1 text and JSON.

JSON is a text format with named fields. The importer reads these older layouts without changing your original files.

Import steps

1. Back up your ACU .preset files, uninstall ACU, and keep only the presets. Recreate this folder if needed, then put the saved files here:

   bin/x64/plugins/cyber_engine_tweaks/mods/AppearanceChangeUnlocker/character-presets

1. Install Character Preset Manager and its required frameworks.
2. Fully restart the game and wait briefly after startup.
3. Open Character Preset Manager in CET and look under ACU Presets.
4. If a file is missing, select Refresh once and wait a moment.
5. Use Check Compatibility if you want to review a copy before loading it.
6. Load the copy through Character Preset Manager. ACU must stay uninstalled.

Copies go into Character Presets/ACU Presets, keeping ACU's subfolders. The originals are not moved, renamed, or rewritten. Changed files are copied when needed, while unchanged files are skipped.

The Activity Log reports internal eye locks and other options marked inactive or not editable by the game. That warning does not change the imported file or its loading behavior.

If a preset is still missing, check its path, .preset extension, and size. It must not be empty or exceed 1 MB. Then look for ACU IMPORT and ACU SAFETY entries in the Activity Log.

Where files are stored

Presets and exports are stored here:

bin/x64/plugins/cyber_engine_tweaks/mods/Character Preset Manager (CET)/Character Presets

Send one .preset file to share an appearance. To install one, put it in Character Presets or a Windows folder inside that location, then select Refresh under Load & Restore Appearance.

A preset can contain up to 4,096 valid options and 16,448 lines, with a total size of 1 MB. Each option key is limited to 256 bytes. Option numbers must fit in an unsigned 32-bit value, from 0 to 4,294,967,295.

Readable format 8

A preset stores visible editor choices, their slots and list numbers, and stable choice names when available. It can also store its name, library folder, source, dates, notes, tags, and favorite state.

# CPM Preset
# Format: 8
# Name: Neon Street V
# Source: Character Preset Manager (CET)
# Created: 2026-08-15 13:19:27
# Modified: 2026-08-15 13:19:27
# Notes:
# Tags:
# Favorite: No
# Library folder: Favorites/Female V

LocKey#9502141975964618858:50
# Editor slot: hairstyle
# Saved choice: options:51

Each main line holds the option key and its saved number. Editor slot and Saved choice describe the line above them. Other comment lines are ignored.

CPM Preset identifies a file saved by this mod. Name and Library folder help rebuild a missing library entry; / means All Presets. Older files remain readable, but may not contain these recovery details.

Notes, tags, and favorites

Choose a preset, then open Rename & Copy Presets > Tags, Notes & File to edit notes or tags. Copy File Path copies its path from the game folder. Saving those details may also upgrade an older file to format 8.

To pin a preset, choose Add Selected Preset to Favorites under Load & Restore Appearance > Advanced Preset Options. It stays in its original folder and also appears in Favorites; current files store this in the readable header.

CET folders

These folders arrange your library without creating matching Windows folders. You can nest them with no set depth limit. Their layout is stored in Data/Catalog/Virtual Folders.txt.

Choose a parent before creating a nested folder. Renaming a preset changes its .preset filename too, while moving it between CET folders changes its library location. Copies use names such as Copy or Copy 2 when needed.

Copying a folder includes all its presets and nested folders. Remove Folder, Keep Presets moves those contents to the folder above without permanently deleting presets.

Imported Windows folders

Windows folders inside Character Presets appear with an Imported label. Moving or renaming them in CET changes the library layout, leaving the Windows folder name alone.

When you remove an imported folder and keep its presets, known .preset files move to the main preset folder first. The Windows folder is removed only if it is confirmed empty. Unknown files are kept, so a folder containing any will remain in place.

Linked folders and Windows junctions are not supported. A scan stops if an entry cannot be checked safely or a physical folder is more than 12 levels deep; this limit does not apply to folders made inside CET.

Share a folder

A .cpmfolder file contains one CET folder, its nested folders, and their presets. Notes, tags, favorites, and other supported preset details are included.

1. Select a non-empty folder under Create & Organize Folders.
2. Open Share & Import Folders.
3. Select Export Selected Folder as a .cpmfolder File.
4. Send the new file from Character Presets.

One file can hold up to 512 presets and 32 MB. Empty folders cannot be exported. Large exports are written one preset at a time to limit memory use.

Preview or install a shared folder

Put a .cpmfolder file in Character Presets. Under Create & Organize Folders > Share & Import Folders, use Manage & Remove .cpmfolder Files to choose the file. Select View Selected .cpmfolder Contents to preview its folders and presets without installing anything.

Select Install .cpmfolder Files from Character Presets to import it. The source file stays in place. Moving that source file to Trash later does not remove presets or folders already installed from it.

Data/Catalog/Imported Bundles.txt records the filename, contents, and installed folder. An unchanged file is skipped while that folder exists. Changed files can be imported again, and duplicate names receive a Copy name. Failed imports are not marked complete.

Work with several presets

Open Select & Manage Multiple Presets and choose rows from any folder or search result. Select a row again to remove it from the group. Use Select All Visible to add the results, or Clear Selection to start over.

Move the selection to one folder, export it, or move it to Trash. Export Selected creates a .cpmfolder file that keeps each preset's path inside a Selected Presets group when imported.

Back up the whole library

Under Export & Import Backups, select Export Complete Library Backup. The .cpmbackup file appears in Character Presets and includes every preset, the CET folder layout, empty CET folders, and current settings.

Choose a filename under Backup File, then select Import Selected Library Backup to restore it. An empty library receives the original layout. If names are already in use, imports go into an Imported Library folder without replacing your existing items.

A backup cannot exceed 256 MB. Delete Selected Backup Permanently removes only the selected .cpmbackup file, leaving installed presets alone. Check the displayed filename before confirming deletion.

Appearance history

Before a normal load, the mod saves your current appearance for recovery. Up to five different entries are kept, with identical copies skipped. Restoring an older entry creates a new safety save first.

Use Undo Last Load or Recovery History in the simple menu. In CET, open Load & Restore Appearance and use Restore Previous Appearance or Appearance History to choose an entry.

History is separate from your preset library. Its files are stored in Data/Recovery/Appearance History.

Move items to Trash

Presets, shared-folder files, and whole folder groups can be moved to Trash. Folder groups remember nested folders, including empty ones. Restore items through Delete & Restore Items in CET when you want them back.

If a name is in use, the restored item gets a Copy name instead of replacing anything. Imported Windows folders are removed only when empty; unknown files are never deleted.

Interrupted actions

If the game closes during a move, rename, Trash action, or restore, the mod tries to finish or undo that action at the next startup. If Trash cannot be read safely, the last good list and folder details are kept.

Permanent deletion

Empty Trash Permanently deletes trashed presets and folder groups. That cannot be undone by the mod. The simple menu only moves a preset to Trash; restoring and permanent deletion are available through CET.

Activity Log

Select Log at the top of CET, or open it through Help. You can read or copy the log in game. Its file is here:

bin/x64/plugins/cyber_engine_tweaks/mods/Character Preset Manager (CET)/Data/Logs/Activity.log

Each full game launch starts a new log. The previous file is dated and moved to the archive, which keeps the ten newest logs. Entries cover startup, menu connections, file actions, loading, warnings, errors, and missing choices. More Technical Details shows information for tracking down problems.

If an option check takes at least 0.05 seconds, a warning separates the time spent reading the game from the time spent matching presets.

For help or to report a problem, join Discord and support. Include your newest Activity Log, what you were doing, and what went wrong. Check the common issues below for steps you can try first.

Bug FAQ

The menu says the library is connecting

Wait briefly for CET to load. If the message stays, check CET, RED4ext, redscript, and Codeware, then reinstall the complete mod and fully restart the game. Changes to redscript files require a new game session.

The simple menu is missing after an update

Use the complete CET manager when CET and its required game functions support your version. Your files are still in the same library. Update the mod and its frameworks when compatible versions become available.

Game updates

An update can change the character screens or the functions used by the loader. CET, RED4ext, redscript, and Codeware may also need updates.

If only the simple menu stops working, use the complete CET manager once its requirements support the new game version. It uses the same files. A missing panel does not mean your presets were deleted.

The DLL provides a file catalog that CET checks against its own folder reader. If the catalog is missing, late, outdated, or different, CET uses its own safe folder list. If both the panel and file service are unavailable, a small reminder in the character screen points to CET.

The CET window is missing

Select Advanced Preset Manager to open CET and show the window. If it does not open, keep the game in focus, release other keys, and check that the native file service is installed. You can also press your CET binding yourself.

Loading screen after closing an editor

Cyberpunk can remain on a loading screen after an editor closes, even without this mod. Clothing, wardrobe outfits, Equipment-EX, and detailed outfits may make this more likely.

Remove all clothing and choose No Outfit before opening the editor if this happens. Put your clothes and outfit back on afterward.

A preset reports missing choices

Check the character mods, versions, body and eye choices, and load order used to create it. Check Compatibility gives more detail. Correct the appearance and save a new format-8 preset after changing your setup.

Old cyberware or another old choice stays visible

Wait for the final status before confirming your appearance. The loader reads fresh option lists as the game updates and waits for cyberware and other linked choices to settle. It checks saved values, but it cannot inspect the rendered character for you.

If an old choice remains, include the newest Activity Log when reporting it. Name the preset and the choice that stayed visible so I can follow the load.

Search Help

Open Help, type a word or phrase, then select Search. Topics pause while you type. Try words such as share, bug, clothing, ACU, backup, Trash, or favorite; matching also uses related terms.

Settings

Select Settings at the top of the manager, then use Preset Sort Order to sort by name or last changed date. Key assignments remain under CET Bindings.

The mod saves settings to Data/Config/Config.txt and updates that file when you change them through CET. Do not edit it while the game is running.

Data folders

The mod stores settings, file lists, recovery data, Trash, and logs under Data in its CET folder:

Data/
|-- Config/
|-- Catalog/
|-- Recovery/
|   |-- Appearance History/
|   `-- Trash/
`-- Logs/
    `-- Archive/

License

All Rights Reserved, by Dnydd (formerly known as dklyntly). The same license can cover my mods for Minecraft, Cyberpunk 2077, and other games.

You may edit configuration files and share your own presets. Copies of my mod, modified releases, ports, and reused code or assets need my written permission. Public and private modpacks and collections may include and redistribute unmodified official releases with credit, a link to the official page, and the license and original notices. Standalone mirrors, modified releases, and paid redistribution need my written permission. Earlier versions keep the permissions that came with those copies. Private code edits need permission, except when preparing a direct contribution.

Translations, bug fixes, compatibility patches, and similar changes can be approved with my prior written permission. Approval must cover publishing before you upload anything; credit me, link the original mod, and follow the agreed limits. It does not automatically allow a full-mod reupload.

You may submit fixes for me to use in my mods without further permission or payment. Contributors keep ownership of their original work; their grant also covers future monetized releases without compensation or a share of revenue.

Written approval must come from my contact email or an account identified on my official mod page or repository. The license includes warranty and liability limits where the law allows them, while preserving mandatory protections.

Read the full All Rights Reserved license for the terms and approved uses.

Personal presets

My character shown in the screenshots is not included. I do not plan to share my personal preset as a download.

Credits

I credit ChatGPT by OpenAI for helping me build the UIs, diagnose issues, and write and review parts of the Lua, redscript, documentation, and release checks. This mod is not all AI-generated; I promise there is human code in here too. I made the final design and release choices and reviewed the work before publishing it.

I created and maintain Character Preset Manager as Dnydd (formerly known as dklyntly).

ACU - Character Preset Manager by PotatoOfDoom came before this project. I kept support for compatible ACU presets so existing collections can still be used. My format, code, menus, loader, and controls are separate implementations.

Character Customization Anywhere by keanuWheeze inspired my Full Appearance Editor.

I thank the authors and contributors of all four required frameworks:

• Cyber Engine Tweaks by yamashi and its contributors, for scripting and the complete menu.
• RED4ext by WopsS and its contributors, for the native file service.
• redscript by jac3km4 and its contributors, for the simple menu scripts.
• Codeware by psiberx and its contributors, for the simple menu's UI tools and game access.

I credit CD Projekt Red for Cyberpunk 2077 and its character system. I also appreciate the modding community's testing, research, and feedback.

Author and links

I create and maintain Character Preset Manager (CET) as Dnydd (formerly known as dklyntly).

Official CurseForge page · Discord · GitHub source

License and permissions

Read the full license and the terms included with your downloaded version; permissions granted to earlier versions remain in effect.