Minecraft: Java Edition

Choose your Java mod setup

Start with the release’s Minecraft version, loader and dependencies. Fabric, Forge and NeoForge are separate choices; the filename ending in .jar is not enough to establish compatibility. Fabric’s installation guide.

Use a separate game directory for each setup. A launcher profile can point somewhere other than the default .minecraft folder, and its Java runtime must meet that release’s requirements. NeoForge’s instance setup.

1. Choose a separate launcher instance and exact Minecraft version.
2. Install the loader required by the selected release and the Java runtime required by that release.
3. Place the matching release JAR and required dependencies in that instance’s mods folder.
4. Launch that profile; check its log and test a backup world.

Downloaded release or source repository?

Prefer the author’s ready-to-use release. A source ZIP is a development project and may need a matching JDK and a Gradle build. Heimdall does not currently build arbitrary Java repositories. Forge’s development workflow.

Data packs, resource packs and server plugins have their own destinations and requirements. Match the package type before choosing an installation method.

Community help

Reviewed October 14, 2026 · Guidance and compatibility metadata. Automatic installation for these new routes is not enabled.