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Basalt Launcher
What it is
Basalt Launcher is a free, open-source Minecraft launcher written in Rust for Linux, Windows, and macOS. It keeps saves, mods, resource packs, shaders, settings, and launch options separate by instance. You can install or switch among Fabric, Quilt, NeoForge, and Forge, browse Modrinth and CurseForge with compatibility filtering, resolve dependencies, view changelogs, and check updates. Modrinth modpacks can create new instances directly. The launcher supports multiple Microsoft accounts with device-code sign-in, skin and cape management, and Java runtime discovery with global or per-instance overrides. Downloads and installs can be monitored, cancelled, or recovered after interruption. Separate launcher and game logs, adjustable log levels, and launch-argument previews aid diagnostics. GitHub Releases list Windows EXE and MSI, macOS DMG, and Linux AppImage and Debian installers. Testing coverage varies by platform during beta. Basalt is not affiliated with Mojang or Microsoft.
For and against
For
- Separate instances keep game setups organized
- Supports Fabric, Quilt, NeoForge, and Forge
- Built-in Modrinth and CurseForge browsing
- Java runtime management supports per-instance overrides
- Available on Linux, Windows, and macOS
Against
- Platform testing coverage varies during beta
- Source builds require a CurseForge key
- Not an official Mojang or Microsoft product
The verdict
Basalt Launcher combines instance organization, loader switching, content catalogs, account tools, and Java management in one free desktop application. Its beta status and source-build CurseForge requirement are important considerations.
Who it suits
It suits Minecraft players managing multiple modded instances, loaders, modpacks, accounts, and Java runtimes. It is aimed at users comfortable with open-source desktop software and beta-stage platform coverage.
Plans and prices
Basalt Launcher
Open-source Minecraft launcher · Linux, Windows, macOS
Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Accounts and cosmetics
- It supports multiple Microsoft accounts with device-code sign-in and silent token refresh, and lets users import, preview, save, and apply skins and manage capes.github.com · read 12 Oct 2026
- Built-in modpack catalog
- Yesgithub.com · read 22 Sep 2026
- Content integrations
- It can browse Modrinth and CurseForge with compatibility filtering, dependency resolution, changelogs, and update checks.github.com · read 12 Oct 2026
- CurseForge setup
- The README says release builds ship with a CurseForge key, while source builds require a key set at build time or entered under Settings → Integrations.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- CurseForge setup limit
- Release builds include a CurseForge key, while source builds require users to provide their own key; CurseForge must manually approve API key applications.github.com · read 12 Oct 2026
- Desktop platforms
- Basalt describes itself as cross-platform software for Linux, Windows, and macOS, and notes that testing coverage varies between platforms during the beta.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Diagnostics
- The launcher separates its logs from game output, allows changing log levels, and can preview final launch arguments.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Downloads and diagnostics
- Users can monitor downloads and installs, cancel active tasks, recover interrupted operations, view separate launcher and game logs, and preview final launch arguments.github.com · read 12 Oct 2026
- Game files
- Basalt says it downloads game files from Mojang's servers and never redistributes them, and states it is not an official Minecraft product or associated with Mojang or Microsoft.github.com · read 12 Oct 2026
- Installers
- The project lists Windows EXE and MSI, macOS DMG, and Linux AppImage and Debian package installers.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Install formats
- GitHub Releases provide Windows .exe and .msi installers, a macOS .dmg, and Linux AppImage and Debian packages; Arch and Nix installation options are also documented.github.com · read 12 Oct 2026
- Instance management
- It keeps saves, mods, resource packs, shaders, settings, and launch options separate for each instance.github.com · read 12 Oct 2026
- Java runtime management
- Yesgithub.com · read 22 Sep 2026
- Java runtimes
- It detects compatible Java runtimes from the system and common version managers, with global and per-instance overrides.github.com · read 12 Oct 2026
- Maker
- The maker's GitHub profile describes MegalithOfficial as working on machine learning systems and identifies its owner as a backend developer; it gives no headquarters or founding date.github.com · read 12 Oct 2026
- Minecraft affiliation
- The project states it is not an official Minecraft product and is not approved by or associated with Mojang or Microsoft.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Mod loaders
- It supports installing and switching between Fabric, Quilt, NeoForge, and Forge.github.com · read 12 Oct 2026
- Mod loader support
- multiplegithub.com · read 22 Sep 2026
