DFHack · ab9rf · Apr 6, 2026 · Mar 14, 2026 · Mar 14, 2026 · Mar 16, 2026
diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -7,8 +7,8 @@ cmake_policy(SET CMP0074 NEW)
 
 # set up versioning.
 set(DF_VERSION "53.11")
-set(DFHACK_RELEASE "r2")
-set(DFHACK_PRERELEASE FALSE)
+set(DFHACK_RELEASE "r3rc1")
+set(DFHACK_PRERELEASE TRUE)
 
 set(DFHACK_VERSION "${DF_VERSION}-${DFHACK_RELEASE}")
 set(DFHACK_ABI_VERSION 2)
@@ -226,13 +226,10 @@ set(DFHACK_DATA_DESTINATION hack)
 
 ## where to install things (after the build is done, classic 'make install' or package structure)
 # the dfhack libraries will be installed here:
-if(UNIX)
-    # put the lib into DF/hack
-    set(DFHACK_LIBRARY_DESTINATION ${DFHACK_DATA_DESTINATION})
-else()
-    # windows is crap, therefore we can't do nice things with it. leave the libs on a nasty pile...
-    set(DFHACK_LIBRARY_DESTINATION .)
-endif()
+
+# put the lib into DF/hack
+# windows will find it because dfhooks will `AddDllDirectory` the hack folder at runtime
+set(DFHACK_LIBRARY_DESTINATION ${DFHACK_DATA_DESTINATION})
 
 # external tools will be installed here:
 set(DFHACK_BINARY_DESTINATION .)
@@ -267,7 +264,7 @@ if(UNIX)
         set(CMAKE_C_FLAGS "${CMAKE_C_FLAGS} -m32 -march=i686")
     endif()
     string(REPLACE "-DNDEBUG" "" CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS_RELWITHDEBINFO "${CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS_RELWITHDEBINFO}")
-    set(CMAKE_INSTALL_RPATH ${DFHACK_LIBRARY_DESTINATION})
+    set(CMAKE_INSTALL_RPATH "$ORIGIN")
 elseif(MSVC)
     # for msvc, tell it to always use 8-byte pointers to member functions to avoid confusion
     set(CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS "${CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS} /vmg /vmm /MP")

diff --git a/depends/dfhooks b/depends/dfhooks
diff --git a/docs/changelog.txt b/docs/changelog.txt
@@ -59,8 +59,10 @@ Template for new versions:
 ## New Features
 
 ## Fixes
+- Steam launcher: Switch to injection strategy, allowing Dwarf Fortress and DFHack to be installed in disparate locations
 
 ## Misc Improvements
+- Make DFHack relocatable so that it doesn't depend on being fully co-installed with Dwarf Fortress
 
 ## Documentation
 

diff --git a/library/CMakeLists.txt b/library/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -131,7 +131,6 @@ endif()
 
 set(MAIN_SOURCES_WINDOWS
     ${CONSOLE_SOURCES}
-    Hooks.cpp
 )
 
 if(WIN32)
@@ -318,8 +317,6 @@ endif()
 
 # Compilation
 
-add_definitions(-DBUILD_DFHACK_LIB)
-
 if(UNIX)
     if(CONSOLE_NO_CATCH)
         add_definitions(-DCONSOLE_NO_CATCH)
@@ -373,6 +370,7 @@ if(EXISTS ${dfhack_SOURCE_DIR}/.git/index AND EXISTS ${dfhack_SOURCE_DIR}/.git/m
 endif()
 
 add_library(dfhack SHARED ${PROJECT_SOURCES})
+target_compile_definitions(dfhack PRIVATE BUILD_DFHACK_LIB)
 target_include_directories(dfhack PUBLIC ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/include ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/proto)
 
 get_target_property(xlsxio_INCLUDES xlsxio_read_STATIC INTERFACE_INCLUDE_DIRECTORIES)
@@ -381,6 +379,7 @@ add_dependencies(dfhack generate_proto_core)
 add_dependencies(dfhack generate_headers)
 
 add_library(dfhack-client SHARED RemoteClient.cpp ColorText.cpp MiscUtils.cpp Error.cpp ${PROJECT_PROTO_SRCS} ${CONSOLE_SOURCES})
+target_compile_definitions(dfhack-client PRIVATE BUILD_DFHACK_LIB)
 target_include_directories(dfhack-client PRIVATE ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/include ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/proto)
 add_dependencies(dfhack-client dfhack)
 
@@ -391,16 +390,16 @@ add_executable(binpatch binpatch.cpp)
 target_link_libraries(binpatch dfhack-md5)
 
 if(WIN32)
-    set_target_properties(dfhack PROPERTIES OUTPUT_NAME "dfhooks_dfhack" )
     set_target_properties(dfhack PROPERTIES COMPILE_FLAGS "/FI\"Export.h\"" )
     set_target_properties(dfhack-client PROPERTIES COMPILE_FLAGS "/FI\"Export.h\"" )
 else()
     set_target_properties(dfhack PROPERTIES COMPILE_FLAGS "-include Export.h" )
     set_target_properties(dfhack-client PROPERTIES COMPILE_FLAGS "-include Export.h" )
-    add_library(dfhooks_dfhack SHARED Hooks.cpp)
-    target_link_libraries(dfhooks_dfhack dfhack ${FMTLIB})
 endif()
 
+add_library(dfhooks_dfhack SHARED Hooks.cpp)
+target_link_libraries(dfhooks_dfhack PUBLIC dfhack ${FMTLIB})
+
 # effectively disables debug builds...
 set_target_properties(dfhack PROPERTIES DEBUG_POSTFIX "-debug" )
 
@@ -450,11 +449,13 @@ if(UNIX)
         install(PROGRAMS ${dfhack_SOURCE_DIR}/package/linux/dfhack-run
             DESTINATION .)
     endif()
-    install(TARGETS dfhooks_dfhack
-        LIBRARY DESTINATION .
-        RUNTIME DESTINATION .)
 endif()
 
+install(TARGETS dfhooks_dfhack
+        LIBRARY DESTINATION ${DFHACK_LIBRARY_DESTINATION}
+        RUNTIME DESTINATION ${DFHACK_LIBRARY_DESTINATION})
+
+
 # install the main lib
 install(TARGETS dfhack
     LIBRARY DESTINATION ${DFHACK_LIBRARY_DESTINATION}
@@ -464,6 +465,12 @@ install(TARGETS dfhack-run dfhack-client binpatch
     LIBRARY DESTINATION ${DFHACK_LIBRARY_DESTINATION}
     RUNTIME DESTINATION ${DFHACK_LIBRARY_DESTINATION})
 
+file(GENERATE OUTPUT ${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/dfhooks_dfhack.ini
+    CONTENT "${DFHACK_DATA_DESTINATION}/$<TARGET_FILE_NAME:dfhooks_dfhack>")
+
+install(FILES ${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/dfhooks_dfhack.ini
+    DESTINATION .)
+
 endif(BUILD_LIBRARY)
 
 # install the offset file

diff --git a/library/Core.cpp b/library/Core.cpp
@@ -859,7 +859,22 @@ bool Core::loadScriptFile(color_ostream &out, std::filesystem::path fname, bool
         INFO(script,out) << "Running script: " << fname << std::endl;
         std::cerr << "Running script: " << fname << std::endl;
     }
-    std::ifstream script{ fname.c_str() };
+
+    auto pathlist = {getHackPath(), getHackPath().parent_path(), std::filesystem::current_path()};
+
+    std::filesystem::path path;
+
+    for (auto& p : pathlist)
+    {
+        auto candidate = fname.is_relative() ? p / fname : fname;
+        if (std::filesystem::exists(candidate))
+        {
+            path = candidate;
+            break;
+        }
+    }
+
+    std::ifstream script{ path };
     if ( !script )
     {
         if(!silent)
@@ -1054,16 +1069,17 @@ void Core::fatal (std::string output, const char * title)
 
 std::filesystem::path Core::getHackPath()
 {
-    return Filesystem::get_initial_cwd() / "hack";
+    return hack_path;
 }
 
 df::viewscreen * Core::getTopViewscreen() {
     return getInstance().top_viewscreen;
 }
 
-bool Core::InitMainThread() {
+bool Core::InitMainThread(std::filesystem::path path) {
     // this hook is always called from DF's main (render) thread, so capture this thread id
     df_render_thread = std::this_thread::get_id();
+    hack_path = path;
 
     Filesystem::init();
 
@@ -1091,6 +1107,7 @@ bool Core::InitMainThread() {
         std::cerr << "Build url: " << Version::dfhack_run_url() << std::endl;
     }
     std::cerr << "Starting with working directory: " << Filesystem::getcwd() << std::endl;
+    std::cerr << "Hack path: " << getHackPath() << std::endl;
 
     std::cerr << "Binding to SDL.\n";
     if (!DFSDL::init(con)) {
@@ -1232,9 +1249,9 @@ bool Core::InitSimulationThread()
 {
     // the update hook is only called from the simulation thread, so capture this thread id
     df_simulation_thread = std::this_thread::get_id();
-    if(started)
+    if (started)
         return true;
-    if(errorstate)
+    if (errorstate)
         return false;
 
     // Lock the CoreSuspendMutex until the thread exits or call Core::Shutdown
@@ -1276,20 +1293,20 @@ bool Core::InitSimulationThread()
             std::cout << "Console disabled.\n";
         }
     }
-    else if(con.init(false))
+    else if (con.init(false))
         std::cerr << "Console is running.\n";
     else
         std::cerr << "Console has failed to initialize!\n";
-/*
-    // dump offsets to a file
-    std::ofstream dump("offsets.log");
-    if(!dump.fail())
-    {
-        //dump << vinfo->PrintOffsets();
-        dump.close();
-    }
-    */
-    // initialize data defs
+    /*
+        // dump offsets to a file
+        std::ofstream dump("offsets.log");
+        if(!dump.fail())
+        {
+            //dump << vinfo->PrintOffsets();
+            dump.close();
+        }
+        */
+        // initialize data defs
     virtual_identity::Init(this);
 
     // create config directory if it doesn't already exist
@@ -1306,7 +1323,8 @@ bool Core::InitSimulationThread()
     else
     {
         // ensure all config file directories exist before we start copying files
-        for (auto &entry : default_config_files) {
+        for (auto& entry : default_config_files)
+        {
             // skip over files
             if (!entry.second)
                 continue;
@@ -1316,19 +1334,22 @@ bool Core::InitSimulationThread()
         }
 
         // copy files from the default tree that don't already exist in the config tree
-        for (auto &entry : default_config_files) {
+        for (auto& entry : default_config_files)
+        {
             // skip over directories
             if (entry.second)
                 continue;
             std::filesystem::path filename = entry.first;
-            if (!config_files.contains(filename)) {
+            if (!config_files.contains(filename))
+            {
                 std::filesystem::path src_file = getConfigDefaultsPath() / filename;
                 if (!Filesystem::isfile(src_file))
                     continue;
                 std::filesystem::path dest_file = getConfigPath() / filename;
                 std::ifstream src(src_file, std::ios::binary);
                 std::ofstream dest(dest_file, std::ios::binary);
-                if (!src.good() || !dest.good()) {
+                if (!src.good() || !dest.good())
+                {
                     con.printerr("Copy failed: '{}'\n", filename);
                     continue;
                 }
@@ -1339,6 +1360,17 @@ bool Core::InitSimulationThread()
         }
     }
 
+    // set lua default path if not already set
+    if (std::getenv("DFHACK_LUA_PATH") == nullptr)
+    {
+        std::filesystem::path lua_path = getHackPath() / "lua" / "?.lua";
+#ifdef WIN32
+        _putenv_s("DFHACK_LUA_PATH", lua_path.string().c_str());
+#else
+        setenv("DFHACK_LUA_PATH", lua_path.string().c_str(), 1);
+#endif
+    }
+
     loadScriptPaths(con);
 
     // initialize common lua context

diff --git a/library/Hooks.cpp b/library/Hooks.cpp
@@ -3,10 +3,43 @@
 
 #include "df/gamest.h"
 
+#ifdef _WIN32
+#   define WIN32_LEAN_AND_MEAN
+#   include <Windows.h>
+#   include <libloaderapi.h>
+#else
+#   include <dlfcn.h>
+#endif
+
 static bool disabled = false;
 
 DFhackCExport const int32_t dfhooks_priority = 100;
 
+static std::filesystem::path getModulePath()
+{
+#ifdef _WIN32
+    HMODULE module = nullptr;
+    GetModuleHandleExW(GET_MODULE_HANDLE_EX_FLAG_FROM_ADDRESS, (LPCWSTR)getModulePath, &module);
+    if (!module) return std::filesystem::path(); // should never happen, but just in case, return an empty path instead of crashing
+
+    wchar_t path[MAX_PATH];
+    GetModuleFileNameW(module, path, MAX_PATH);
+    return std::filesystem::path(path);
+#else
+    Dl_info info;
+    dladdr((const void*)getModulePath, &info);
+    return std::filesystem::path(info.dli_fname);
+#endif
+}
+
+static std::filesystem::path basepath{getModulePath()};
+
+// called by the chainloader before the main thread is initialized and before any other hooks are called.
+DFhackCExport void dfhooks_preinit(std::filesystem::path dllpath)
+{
+    basepath = dllpath.parent_path();
+}
+
 // called from the main thread before the simulation thread is started
 // and the main event loop is initiated
 DFhackCExport void dfhooks_init() {
@@ -17,7 +50,7 @@ DFhackCExport void dfhooks_init() {
     }
 
     // we need to init DF globals before we can check the commandline
-    if (!DFHack::Core::getInstance().InitMainThread() || !df::global::game) {
+    if (!DFHack::Core::getInstance().InitMainThread(std::filesystem::canonical(basepath)) || !df::global::game) {
         // we don't set disabled to true here so symbol generation can work
         return;
     }

diff --git a/library/PlugLoad.cpp b/library/PlugLoad.cpp
@@ -15,10 +15,11 @@
 #ifdef WIN32
 #define NOMINMAX
 #include <windows.h>
+#include <libloaderapi.h>
 #define global_search_handle() GetModuleHandle(nullptr)
 #define get_function_address(plugin, function) GetProcAddress((HMODULE)plugin, function)
 #define clear_error()
-#define load_library(fn) LoadLibraryW(fn.c_str())
+#define load_library(fn) LoadLibraryExW(fn.wstring().c_str(), NULL, LOAD_LIBRARY_SEARCH_DEFAULT_DIRS);
 #define close_library(handle) (!(FreeLibrary((HMODULE)handle)))
 #else
 #include <dlfcn.h>

diff --git a/library/include/Core.h b/library/include/Core.h
@@ -268,7 +268,7 @@ namespace DFHack
         struct Private;
         std::unique_ptr<Private> d;
 
-        bool InitMainThread();
+        bool InitMainThread(std::filesystem::path path);
         bool InitSimulationThread();
         int Update (void);
         int Shutdown (void);
@@ -353,6 +353,8 @@ namespace DFHack
 
         uint32_t unpaused_ms; // reset to 0 on map load
 
+        std::filesystem::path hack_path;
+
         friend class CoreService;
         friend class ServerConnection;
         friend class CoreSuspender;

diff --git a/library/include/Hooks.h b/library/include/Hooks.h
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ distribution.
 
 union SDL_Event;
 
+DFhackCExport void dfhooks_preinit(std::filesystem::path dllpath);
 DFhackCExport void dfhooks_init();
 DFhackCExport void dfhooks_shutdown();
 DFhackCExport void dfhooks_update();
+4 −4		.pre-commit-config.yaml
+48 −19		ChainLoader.cpp
+32 −10		LibWrapper.cpp
+18 −15		LibWrapper.h