Code Editors
Addons and mods rely heavily on JSON and scripting. A good code editor speeds up development and helps catch errors.
Visual Studio Code
What it does: A free, powerful code editor from Microsoft with extensions, syntax highlighting, and integrated terminal.
Why it is useful for modding: Edit manifest.json, item definitions, and other JSON files with validation. Extensions for Minecraft Bedrock, Java, and Hytale add autocomplete and snippets. Built-in Git support helps version control.
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux.
Download: code.visualstudio.com
Notepad++
What it does: Lightweight text editor with syntax highlighting for many languages including JSON.
Why it is useful for modding: Fast startup, low resource usage. Good for quick edits when you do not need a full IDE. Plugin support for JSON formatting.
Platform: Windows only.
Download: notepad-plus-plus.org
3D Modeling
Custom blocks, entities, and items require 3D models. These tools cover both game-specific and general modeling.
Blockbench
What it does: The standard tool for creating Minecraft block, entity, and item models. Supports Bedrock and Java formats.
Why it is useful for modding: Built-in Minecraft model formats, UV mapping, and animation support. A Hytale plugin adds export for Hytale models. Free and open source.
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux. Also runs in browser.
Download: blockbench.net
Blender
What it does: Full-featured 3D modeling, sculpting, and animation software. Industry-standard and free.
Why it is useful for modding: Advanced modeling, rigging, and animation. Useful for complex assets, cinematics, or when you need more control than Blockbench offers. Export to various formats.
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux.
Download: blender.org
Image Editing
Textures, skins, and pack icons need image editing. These tools cover different skill levels and workflows.
GIMP
What it does: Free, open-source image editor often called a Photoshop alternative.
Why it is useful for modding: Create and edit textures, skins, and pack icons. Layers, filters, and advanced tools. Supports PNG, which Minecraft and Hytale use.
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux.
Download: gimp.org
Pixlr
What it does: Online image editor that runs in the browser. No installation required.
Why it is useful for modding: Quick edits when you cannot install software. Good for simple texture tweaks, resizing, or basic adjustments. Free tier available.
Platform: Web (any browser).
Link: pixlr.com
Paint.NET
What it does: Simple, lightweight image editor for Windows with layers and plugins.
Why it is useful for modding: Easy to learn, fast, and good for 16x16 or 256x256 textures. Plugin ecosystem extends functionality.
Platform: Windows only.
Download: getpaint.net
Utilities
These tools handle file extraction, UUID generation, and JSON validation.
7-Zip
What it does: Free, open-source file archiver. Extracts and creates archives in many formats.
Why it is useful for modding: .mcpack, .mcaddon, and .zip files are archives. 7-Zip lets you extract, inspect, and repack addon contents. Right-click context menu integration.
Platform: Windows, with command-line versions for other OS.
Download: 7-zip.org
UUID Generator (Online)
What it does: Generates unique identifiers (UUIDs) required in addon manifest.json files.
Why it is useful for modding: Every addon needs unique UUIDs for header and module entries. Online generators like uuidgenerator.net provide v4 UUIDs. Copy and paste into your manifest.
Platform: Web (any browser).
JSON Validators (e.g. jsonlint.com)
What it does: Validates JSON syntax and highlights errors such as trailing commas or missing quotes.
Why it is useful for modding: Invalid JSON causes addons to fail loading. Paste your manifest.json or other JSON into a validator to find and fix errors before testing.
Platform: Web (e.g. jsonlint.com).
Distribution Platforms
Once your addon or mod is ready, these platforms help you share it with the community.
CurseForge
What it does: Major mod distribution platform for Minecraft (Bedrock and Java) and Hytale.
Why it is useful for modding: Large audience, version management, and integration with mod loaders. Official partner for many games. Supports addons, mods, and resource packs.
Link: curseforge.com
MCPEDL
What it does: Community site focused on Minecraft Bedrock addons, maps, and skins.
Why it is useful for modding: Primary destination for Bedrock creators. Easy upload, categories, and active community. Good for reaching Bedrock players.
Link: mcpedl.com
Modrinth
What it does: Modern mod platform for Minecraft Java, with a focus on modpacks and mod loaders.
Why it is useful for modding: Clean interface, good discovery, and support for Fabric and Forge. Growing alternative to CurseForge for Java mods.
Link: modrinth.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Tutorials
Create Your First Minecraft Bedrock Addon
Step-by-step guide to create your first addon from scratch: Behavior Packs, Resource Packs, and packaging.
How to Create Your First Hytale Mod
Overview of asset packs and Java plugins for Hytale modding. Tools, getting started, and community resources.