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+**SMAPI** is an open-source modding API for [Stardew Valley](http://stardewvalley.net/) that lets
+you play the game with mods. It's safely installed alongside the game's executable, and doesn't
+change any of your game files. It serves six main purposes:
+
+1. **Load mods into the game.**  
+   _SMAPI loads mods when the game is starting up so they can interact with it. (Code mods aren't
+   possible without SMAPI to load them.)_
+
+2. **Provide APIs and events for mods.**  
+   _SMAPI provides APIs and events which let mods interact with the game in ways they otherwise
+   couldn't._
+
+3. **Rewrite mods for crossplatform compatibility.**  
+   _SMAPI rewrites mods' compiled code before loading them so they work on Linux/Mac/Windows
+   without the mods needing to handle differences between the Linux/Mac and Windows versions of the
+   game._
+
+4. **Rewrite mods to update them.**  
+   _SMAPI detects when a mod accesses part of the game that changed in a game update which affects
+   many mods, and rewrites the mod so it's compatible._
+
+5. **Intercept errors.**  
+   _SMAPI intercepts errors that happen in the game, displays the error details in the console
+   window, and in most cases automatically recovers the game. This prevents mods from accidentally
+   crashing the game, and makes it possible to troubleshoot errors in the game itself that would
+   otherwise show a generic 'program has stopped working' type of message._
+
+6. **Provide update checks.**
+   _SMAPI automatically checks for new versions of your installed mods, and notifies you when any
+   are available._
+
+## Documentation
+Have questions? Come [chat on Discord](https://discord.gg/KCJHWhX) with SMAPI developers and other
+modders!
+
+### For players
+* [Modding guides](https://stardewvalleywiki.com/Modding:Index#For_players)
+
+### For modders
+* [Modding documentation](https://stardewvalleywiki.com/Modding:Index)
+* [Mod build configuration](mod-build-config.md)
+* [Release notes](release-notes.md)
+
+### For SMAPI developers
+* [Technical docs](technical-docs.md)