im using thunderstore mod manager and it wants me to select a directory for the server, but i can only view that thru file zilla and when i try to select the directory thru thunderstore it opens up windows automatically, is thunderstore a viable option for mods thru server.io? im a first time server owner so i only know what ive been able to look up and i havent really found anything helpful.

As mods for Valheim require Bepinex, a program that allows for FAR more than just simply modifying the game, you will be unable to utilize mods until the host is able to come up wtih a solution that prevents people from loading in Bepenix Scam plugins.

Ah okay thank you

Yep, no problem. Other hosts, are willing to take the chance on their communities, and their services being compromised by someone running a TOR webpage from their gaming services, but not ARKservers.io. And those exploit plugins are most used for compromising and/or exploiting remote resources, it's not so much an issue if you self host, as you ideally would have more sense than to setup something legally ambiguous out of your own property. For now, Bepinex's greatest strength is also a weakness.