Getting Started with Hytale Modding

This guide walks you through setting up your tools and creating your first mod. You can be up and running in about 15 minutes.

What You Need

Before you start, make sure you have:

  • Hytale - Installed from the official launcher
  • A computer - Windows, Mac, or Linux
  • About 15 minutes - To follow this guide
Tip

For Packs (no coding), you only need Hytale itself. Everything else is built-in. For Plugins (Java), you'll also need Java 25 and IntelliJ IDEA.

Step 1: Install Your Tools

For Packs (No Code Needed)

If you just want to add blocks, items, or mobs, you only need:

  1. Hytale (already installed)
  2. Blockbench - For creating 3D models (optional but helpful)

Download Blockbench from blockbench.net. Install the Hytale plugin from the Blockbench plugin store.

For Plugins (Java)

If you want to write code, you need:

Download Java 25

Get Java from adoptium.net. Pick the latest Java 25 version for your system.

Download IntelliJ IDEA

Get the free Community Edition from jetbrains.com. Install it normally.

Set Up Java in IntelliJ

Open IntelliJ, go to File → Project Structure → SDKs, and add your Java 25 installation.

Step 2: Create Your First Pack

Let's make a simple content pack using the in-game tools. No coding needed!

Open the Asset Editor

Start Hytale

Launch the game from your launcher.

Create a Creative World

Make a new world in Creative Mode.

Get Operator Status

Press / to open chat and type:

/op self
Open the Editor

Open your inventory → Creative Tools → Assets → Asset Editor

Create a Pack Folder

On your computer, go to this folder:

Windows 
%AppData%\Roaming\Hytale\UserData\Packs\

Create a new folder called MyFirstPack. Inside it, create a file called manifest.json:

manifest.json 
{
    "Group": "com.myname",
    "Name": "MyFirstPack",
    "Version": "1.0.0",
    "Description": "My first Hytale mod!",
    "Authors": [
        {
            "Name": "Your Name"
        }
    ]
}

Create the Folder Structure

Your pack needs these folders:

MyFirstPack/
manifest.json
Common/
BlockTextures/
Models/
Server/
Blocks/
Items/

Step 3: Create Your First Plugin (Optional)

Want to write code? Here's the fastest way to start:

Use the Template

Open your terminal and run:

Terminal 
git clone https://github.com/realBritakee/hytale-template-plugin.git
cd hytale-template-plugin
./gradlew shadowJar

This gives you a working plugin instantly! The JAR file appears in build/libs/.

Test Your Plugin

  1. Copy the JAR to your server's mods/ folder
  2. Start (or restart) the server
  3. Your plugin is now running!
You Did It!

You've set up your modding environment and created your first mod. Now you're ready to build something amazing!

What's Next?

Pick where you want to go from here:

Learn Packs

Add blocks, items, and mobs without writing code.

Learn Plugins

Write Java code for custom game logic and features.

Resources