EDIT: SOLVED
given the link in the modding guide, i'm adding this edit to explain the problem and the solution for those looking for an answer, since it's buried all the way at the bottom of this thread
to solve the manifest file not found error, you need to edit the names of every file. by default download they seem to follow the format of ModName\manifest.json or ModName\manifest.json (see photos below)
remove the "ModName\" part of the file name. ex. ModName\manifest.json -> manifest.json
The game should then recognize the files
END OF EDIT
Hello, newcomer to the game and community here
So i wanted to mod my game, specifically wanting to add Research queue (https://hub.coigame.com/Mod/17/Research-Queue) but i've been encountering a persistent problem of "manifest file not found"

I play on linux, so i understand that i may have extra issues, but given that other (presumably windows) users have had the same issue i don't think it's a proton thing
i followed the modding guide (https://hub.coigame.com/Topic/160/-Beginner-Guide-How-to-Install-Mods-in-Captain-of-Industry-), and i have the folder set up correctly

The game can even find these files when using the "show in folder" function

but it claims no found path

and the logs claim "0 mods found"

I have no idea what the issue could be, i'm new to the game and to linux as a whole. So i hope that not only will my problem be resolved, but that it can help others who have modding issues.
If more info is needed, feel free to ask me.
Hope this helps someone figure things out!