packwiz

Free plan Windows

What packwiz is

packwiz is a free, open-source command-line tool for building Minecraft modpacks with TOML metadata. Instead of managing JAR files directly, pack creators can track and share pack metadata through Git. The CLI installs mods and resource packs from CurseForge and Modrinth, updates selected mods or all mods, imports CurseForge packs, and exports to CurseForge or Modrinth formats. The Java-based packwiz-installer can automate installation and updates, handle optional and side-only mods, and work with MultiMC and ATLauncher. Packs can be hosted over HTTP or HTTPS, with a local server for testing. A pack can also include configuration files, scripts, and other files for the matching game folders. Its index records hashes for integrity checks. The maker recommends it for private server packs and packs for CurseForge or Modrinth. It is free under the MIT license; installation options include prebuilt binaries or compilation with Go 1.19 or newer.

Who it suits

packwiz suits Minecraft players or pack maintainers who are comfortable with command-line tools and want to create or distribute modpacks. It is also recommended for private server packs and packs for CurseForge or Modrinth.

What it does well

Free and open source under the MIT license
Installs mods from CurseForge and Modrinth
Supports Git version control for pack metadata
Installer supports optional and side-only mods
Includes file hashes for integrity checks

What to know first

Not well suited to users who want a GUI
Not intended for managing downloaded mod files
CurseForge exports cannot differ between server and client

Limits

The maker says packwiz is not well suited to managing downloaded mod files or to people who want a GUI. CurseForge's pack format does not support side-only mods, so a CurseForge export cannot differ between server and client.

Getting started

Visit the packwiz website for installation information.
Choose a prebuilt binary offered through GitHub Actions or compile from source with Go 1.19 or newer.
Create a pack using TOML metadata files.
Use the CLI to install mods or resource packs from CurseForge or Modrinth.
Export for CurseForge or Modrinth, or host the pack over HTTP or HTTPS.
Use packwiz-installer with MultiMC or ATLauncher for automatic installation and updates.

Verdict

packwiz offers modpack creation, distribution, and installation tools built around editable metadata rather than direct JAR management. Its command-line design and stated limitations make it a better fit for technical users than for people seeking a graphical interface.

Questions

Is packwiz free?

Yes. It is free to use, and the pricing note identifies it as open source under the MIT license.

Which operating system does packwiz support?

The listed platform is Windows.

Which mod sources and export formats does it support?

It can install mods and resource packs from CurseForge and Modrinth. It exports CurseForge .zip and Modrinth .mrpack packs, and can import CurseForge packs.

Does packwiz have a graphical interface?

It runs from the command line. The maker says it is not well suited to people who want a GUI and mentions third-party efforts.

Can I use packwiz for server modpacks?

The maker recommends it for private server modpacks. Its installer can download server-side mods, and the documentation describes integration with itzg's docker-minecraft-server through the PACKWIZ_URL environment variable.

How can I get help with packwiz?

The maker directs users who need help to its Discord server.

Facts from packwiz's own pages

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, 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, 4 Oct 2026
Distribution: Packs can be hosted over HTTP or HTTPS, and packwiz includes a local server for testing. · packwiz.infra.link, 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, 4 Oct 2026
Founded: 2019 · packwiz.infra.link, 28 Sept 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, 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, 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, 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, 4 Oct 2026
Intended users: The maker recommends packwiz for distributing private server modpacks and creating packs for CurseForge and Modrinth. · packwiz.infra.link, 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, 4 Oct 2026
Mod sources: It can install and update multiple mods from CurseForge and Modrinth. · packwiz.infra.link, 4 Oct 2026
Pack formats: packwiz can export packs for CurseForge and Modrinth and import CurseForge packs. · packwiz.infra.link, 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, 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, 4 Oct 2026
Support: The maker directs users who need help to their Discord server. · packwiz.infra.link, 4 Oct 2026
Version control: Its TOML-based metadata is designed to be version-controlled and shared with Git. · packwiz.infra.link, 4 Oct 2026

Where packwiz stands on Freedom251

Minecraft Modpack Builders#11 of 11