Make Your First Minecraft Mod Idea Real

Modding sounds huge, but every mod starts with one small idea: a new block, a new food, a friendlier mob. Start tiny and finish it.

Step 1: sketch the idea

• What does it look like? Draw the 16x16 texture on paper first.
• What does it do? One sentence only.
• Where do you find it? Crafted, mined or dropped by a mob.

Step 2: describe it in a recipe file

Data packs use JSON, a simple way to write information the game can read. This recipe crafts a Glow Brick from a stone brick and glowstone dust.

 1{
 2  "type": "minecraft:crafting_shapeless",
 3  "ingredients": [
 4    { "item": "minecraft:stone_bricks" },
 5    { "item": "minecraft:glowstone_dust" }
 6  ],
 7  "result": { "item": "minecraft:shroomlight", "count": 1 }
 8}

Step 3: test like a real developer

Load the pack in a brand new creative world. If it does not appear, check the folder names first: Minecraft is very picky about spelling.