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packwiz
What it is
packwiz is a free, open-source command-line tool for building Minecraft modpacks with TOML metadata instead of directly managing JAR files. Its metadata is suited to version control and sharing through Git. The CLI installs mods and resource packs from CurseForge and Modrinth, updates individual mods or all of them, imports CurseForge packs, and exports packs for CurseForge or Modrinth. Packs can be hosted over HTTP or HTTPS, and a local server is available for testing. The Java-based packwiz-installer can automate installation and updates, handle optional and side-only mods, and work with MultiMC and ATLauncher. Packs can also include configuration files, scripts, and other files for the corresponding game folders. The pack index records hashes for integrity checking. The maker recommends it for private server modpacks and packs for CurseForge or Modrinth. Installation options include prebuilt binaries through GitHub Actions or compiling from source with Go 1.19 or newer.
For and against
For
- Free and open source under MIT
- Installs mods from CurseForge and Modrinth
- Exports CurseForge and Modrinth pack formats
- Installer supports optional and side-only mods
Against
- Runs from the command line, not a GUI
- Not well suited to managing downloaded mod files
- CurseForge exports cannot differ between server and client
The verdict
packwiz offers metadata-based pack management, mod-source support, and an installer for distribution and updates. Its command-line orientation and the stated limitations around downloaded files and CurseForge exports are worth considering first.
Who it suits
packwiz suits Minecraft players or server operators who want to create and distribute modpacks through CurseForge or Modrinth. Its command-line workflow may suit people comfortable with TOML and Git.
On the record
- CurseForge export limit
- CurseForge's pack format does not support side-only mods, so packwiz cannot create an exported pack that differs between server and client.packwiz.infra.link · read 4 Oct 2026
- Custom files
- Configuration files, scripts, and other files can be included in a pack and installed into corresponding game folders.packwiz.infra.link · read 4 Oct 2026
- Distribution
- Packs can be hosted over HTTP or HTTPS, and packwiz includes a local server for testing.packwiz.infra.link · read 4 Oct 2026
- Downloaded files
- The maker says packwiz is not well suited to managing downloaded mod files and suggests using Curse/GDLauncher or another CLI.packwiz.infra.link · read 4 Oct 2026
- GUI limitation
- The maker says packwiz is not well suited to people who want a GUI; the site mentions third-party efforts.packwiz.infra.link · read 4 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The installation page offers prebuilt binaries through GitHub Actions and says packwiz can also be compiled from source with Go 1.19 or newer.packwiz.infra.link · read 4 Oct 2026
- Installer
- The Java-based packwiz-installer supports automatic installation and updates, optional mods, and side-only mods; it can be used with MultiMC and ATLauncher.packwiz.infra.link · read 4 Oct 2026
- Integrity
- The pack index lists files with hashes for integrity checking, and external file metadata can specify supported hash formats including SHA-256, SHA-512, SHA-1, and MD5.packwiz.infra.link · read 4 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The maker recommends packwiz for distributing private server modpacks and creating packs for CurseForge and Modrinth.packwiz.infra.link · read 4 Oct 2026
- Limitations
- The maker says packwiz is not well suited to managing downloaded mod files or to users who want a GUI.packwiz.infra.link · read 4 Oct 2026
- Mod sources
- It can install and update multiple mods from CurseForge and Modrinth.packwiz.infra.link · read 4 Oct 2026
- Pack formats
- packwiz can export packs for CurseForge and Modrinth and import CurseForge packs.packwiz.infra.link · read 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- packwiz is a command line tool for creating Minecraft modpacks using TOML metadata files instead of managing JAR files directly.packwiz.infra.link · read 4 Oct 2026
- Server use
- packwiz-installer can download server-side mods, and the docs describe integration with itzg's docker-minecraft-server through the PACKWIZ_URL environment variable.packwiz.infra.link · read 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker directs users who need help to their Discord server.packwiz.infra.link · read 4 Oct 2026
- Version control
- Its TOML-based metadata is designed to be version-controlled and shared with Git.packwiz.infra.link · read 4 Oct 2026
