Crowbar

Free plan Windows

What Crowbar is

Crowbar is a Windows tool for modding games built on GoldSource and Source Engine. It can decompile, compile, and view GoldSource and Source models, and unpack, inspect, and search Valve VPK, Garry's Mod GMA, Bloodlines VPK, Tactical Intervention FPX, and Fairy Tale Busters APK packages. It can also package folders as Valve VPK or Garry's Mod GMA files and download or publish Workshop items for several games. Decompilation can produce QC, mesh, animation, and procedural-bone files, while batch workflows handle files in a selected folder and its subfolders. Crowbar is free, with no paid tiers stated. The maker lists Windows XP or later and .NET Framework 4 as requirements. Model compiling needs the game's authoring tools or SDK and studiomdl.exe; viewing needs authoring tools or an SDK and hlmv.exe. The latest release shown is version 0.74, dated February 2023.

Who it suits

Crowbar suits Windows users modding GoldSource or Source games who need to work with models, game packages, or Workshop content. It may also fit people who need batch compile or decompile workflows.

What it does well

Free, with no paid tiers stated.
Works with several listed game package formats.
Can batch process selected folders and subfolders.
Can download and publish Workshop items.

What to know first

Available for Windows only.
Model compiling requires game authoring tools or an SDK.
Model viewing requires authoring tools or an SDK.
Latest release shown dates to February 2023.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Crowbar	No paid tiers stated; donations are optional	Free

As github.com lists them, read 4 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Open the Crowbar project website at https://github.com/ZeqMacaw/Crowbar.
Use a Windows system running Windows XP or later with .NET Framework 4.
Install the game’s authoring tools or SDK if you need to compile or view models.
Use the included guides, tutorials, reference materials, Discord modding channel, or Steam discussions for help.

Verdict

Crowbar brings model workflows, package handling, and Workshop features together for GoldSource and Source game modding. Check the required game tools and Windows requirements before relying on its compiling or viewing features.

Questions

How much does Crowbar cost?

The listed Crowbar plan is free. Donations are optional, and no paid tiers are stated.

Is Crowbar available for free?

Yes. It has a free plan, and there is no free trial.

Which platforms does Crowbar support?

Crowbar is for Windows. The requirements page states Windows XP or later and .NET Framework 4.

What does Crowbar do with game models and packages?

It can decompile, compile, and view GoldSource and Source models; unpack, view, and search several package types; and pack folders into Valve VPK and Garry’s Mod GMA files.

Does Crowbar publish Workshop items?

Yes. It can download and publish Workshop items for several games. Version 0.74 added publishing support for seven named games.

Is Crowbar open source?

The Steam group links to source code, and the maker says source code has been available since version 0.19.

Facts from Crowbar's own pages

Batch processing: Decompile and compile workflows support processing files in a selected folder and its subfolders. · steamcommunity.com, 4 Oct 2026
Build architecture: The maker says public releases are built as Release x86 using Visual Basic in Visual Studio Community. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Decompile outputs: The decompiler can recreate QC, reference and level of detail mesh SMD, physics mesh SMD, vertex animation VTA, bone animation SMD, and procedural bones VRD files. · steamcommunity.com, 4 Oct 2026
Game tool dependencies: Model compiling requires the game's authoring tools or SDK and its own studiomdl.exe; model viewing requires authoring tools or an SDK and hlmv.exe. · steamcommunity.com, 4 Oct 2026
Model workflows: It can decompile, compile, and view GoldSource and Source models. · steamcommunity.com, 4 Oct 2026
Package files: It can unpack, view, and search Valve VPK, Garry's Mod GMA, Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines VPK, Tactical Intervention FPX, and Fairy Tale Busters APK packages. · steamcommunity.com, 4 Oct 2026
Packaging: It can pack folders into Valve VPK and Garry's Mod GMA package files. · steamcommunity.com, 4 Oct 2026
Purpose: Crowbar is a tool for modding GoldSource and Source Engine games. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Source availability: The Steam group links to source code, and the maker says source code has been available since version 0.19. · steamcommunity.com, 4 Oct 2026
Support: The maker points users to its guides, tutorials, articles, reference materials, Discord modding channel, and Steam discussions for help. · steamcommunity.com, 4 Oct 2026
Version: The release page identifies Crowbar 0.74 as the latest release shown there, dated February 2023. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Windows requirements: The requirements page states Windows XP or later and .NET Framework 4 are required. · steamcommunity.com, 4 Oct 2026
Workshop: It can download items from Workshop and publish items to the Workshop for several games. · steamcommunity.com, 4 Oct 2026
Workshop integration: Crowbar 0.74 added Steam Workshop publishing support for Codename CURE, Entropy: Zero 2, FIREFIGHT RELOADED, Hunt Down The Freeman, JBMod, Military Conflict: Vietnam, and Wilson Chronicles. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026

Where Crowbar stands on Freedom251

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