Datapack Codex
A comprehensive, all-versions reference for building Minecraft Java Edition data packs — every registry, every schema field, with copy-pasteable examples, workarounds, best practices and community tricks.
Every page is written against modern 1.21+ conventions (singular folder names such as function/, recipe/, loot_table/). Where older versions differ, you'll see a ⚠ version differences box. The full number map lives on the pack_format history page — data pack formats span 4 (1.13) through 107.1 (26.2).
New here?
If you've never made a data pack, start with Getting started — you'll have a working pack loaded in about ten minutes. Then read Pack structure to understand the folder layout and pack.mcmeta. After that, dip into whichever system you need.
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Logic & data
Functions & commands
mcfunction files, the full
/executegrammar, macros,returnand/schedule.Tags
Function, block, item and other tags; the
#minecraft:load/tickentry points.Scoreboards, storage & NBT
Scores,
/data, command storage, NBT paths and fixed-point math.Item data components
The 1.20.5+ component system that replaced item NBT tags.
Text components
Raw JSON text for
tellraw, signs, titles, books and tooltips.
Content packs
Recipes
Crafting, cooking, stonecutting, smithing and transmute recipes.
Loot tables
Pools, entries, and every loot function & condition.
Predicates
Reusable conditions for
execute, advancements and loot.Item modifiers
Standalone item transforms applied with
/item.Advancements
Full schema, every trigger, and the event-detection pattern.
Display entities
Block/item/text displays, transforms and interpolation.
World generation
Worldgen overview
How the data-driven generator's pieces fit together.
Dimensions
Custom dimensions, generators and
dimension_type.Biomes, noise & density
Biomes, noise settings, density functions, surface rules.
Features & carvers
Configured/placed features, providers and carvers.
Structures & jigsaw
Structures, structure sets, template pools and processors.
Go further
Advanced techniques & tricks
Raycasting, GUIs, custom mobs, state machines and more.
Libraries & tooling
Generators, mergers, debuggers and community libraries.
Resource hub
Curated external references, communities and tutorials.
About this reference
The Codex consolidates and cross-checks primary documentation (the Minecraft Wiki, Misode's generators and mcmeta) together with community references, then re-writes them as task-focused guides. Version-sensitive facts are grounded in those sources. It is a fan-made educational resource and is not affiliated with Mojang Studios or Microsoft.