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A fast, lightweight Minecraft launcher for the terminal.
Everything you need. Nothing you don't.
Create, run, rename, clone, and delete isolated instances. Switch between them instantly with a single command.
Skip the REPL entirely: mcsh run <name> launches an instance straight from any terminal window.
instance config sets window resolution, RAM, extra JVM args, environment variables, and pre/post-launch hooks per instance.
instance worlds lists every save. Backup a world as a zip, delete it, or open its folder — all without leaving the terminal.
Enable in settings to automatically zip world saves before every launch. Never lose progress to a bad update.
instance crash shows the latest crash report summary so you can diagnose what went wrong without digging through log folders.
instance export zips a full instance for sharing. instance backup archives world saves with a timestamp.
instance prism <path> imports an existing Prism or MultiMC instance — auto-detects version and mod loader from config files.
instance mrpack exports your instance as a standards-compliant Modrinth pack. Compatible with Modrinth App, Prism, and McSH.
console attaches to a running instance's output with color-coded warnings and errors. Press ESC to detach without stopping the game.
recent shows recently played worlds and servers across all instances. recent run <#> jumps straight back in.
Search, install, and manage mods, resource packs, shaders, plugins, and data packs directly from the terminal — no browser needed.
Search Modrinth for modpacks, pick any version from a grouped version picker, and install everything — mods, configs, resource packs — in one command.
modpack update checks all your modpack instances against Modrinth, shows what's outdated, and upgrades in one step — optionally copying your worlds.
Save named mod loadouts and switch between them instantly. mod profile save snapshots which mods are enabled — mod profile load restores them.
mod toggle <name> enables or disables a mod without deleting it — handy for testing compatibility or switching playstyles.
instance update checks every installed mod against Modrinth and updates them all in one step. Already-installed mods are marked in search results.
Missing Java or wrong version? McSH downloads and manages the exact JDK each modpack requires — no admin rights, no PATH changes.
java lists every JDK detected on your system. Set a custom Java path globally with one command — McSH uses it for all launches.
Aikar G1GC flags applied automatically. Background pre-warm on instance select and a differential asset cache mean i run is near-instant on warm launches.
Full Microsoft Device Code Flow with automatic background token refresh. Authenticate once, stay signed in.
Sign in with multiple Microsoft accounts and switch between them instantly. auth login <alias> saves any account. auth switch makes it active.
Import skin PNGs locally, browse your collection, and apply them to your Minecraft account instantly. Select and toggle capes from the same menu.
Six built-in color themes — Crimson, Arctic, Forest, Amber, Violet, Steel. Switch instantly with settings theme <name> and it persists across restarts.
Full English and Spanish translations built in. Switch at any time with settings language en or settings language es.
Context-aware completions for all commands, subcommands, and instance names. Hit Tab anywhere in the REPL.
Notifies you on startup when a newer release is available. Run update to download and install it in one step.
Runs natively on Windows and Linux. Data stored in %APPDATA%\McSH on Windows and ~/.local/share/McSH on Linux.
The launcher itself uses under 30MB of RAM — leaving the rest for the game where it belongs.
Launches in about 1 second. No splash screens, no telemetry, no background processes phoning home.
All commands available in the McSH REPL.
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
instance create | Create a new Minecraft instance (guided wizard) |
instance list | List all instances with running status |
instance select <name> | Set the active instance and pre-warm |
instance run [name] | Launch an instance — prompts if none selected |
run / launch <name> | Quick-launch from any terminal (alias: r) |
instance stop / kill <name> | Force-kill the running instance |
instance info [name] | Show version, loader, RAM, mods, path |
instance open [name] | Open instance folder in File Explorer |
instance clone <name> | Duplicate an existing instance |
instance rename <name> | Rename an instance |
instance delete <name> | Delete an instance |
instance config [name] | Configure window, RAM, JVM args, env vars, hooks |
instance worlds [name] | Browse worlds — backup, delete, or open folder |
instance crash [name] | Show the latest crash report |
instance export [name] | Zip a full instance for sharing or backup |
instance backup [name] | Zip world saves with a timestamp |
instance import <path> | Import a .mrpack modpack file |
instance mrpack | Export instance as a shareable .mrpack |
instance prism <path> | Import a Prism Launcher / MultiMC instance |
instance update [name] | Update all mods to their latest versions |
console | Attach to a running instance's console (ESC to detach) |
recent | Show recently played worlds and servers |
recent run <#> | Jump straight into a recent entry |
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
modpack search <query> | Search Modrinth for modpacks |
modpack install <#> | Install with version picker — grouped by MC version |
modpack update | Check all modpack instances for newer versions |
instance import <path> | Import a local .mrpack file |
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
mod search <query> | Search Modrinth for mods |
mod install <#> | Install a mod from search results |
mod details <#> | View full mod details and install prompt |
mod list | List installed mods |
mod toggle <name> | Enable or disable a mod |
mod remove / uninstall <name> | Uninstall a mod |
mod import <path.jar> | Import a local .jar |
mod profile save/load/list/delete | Manage named mod loadouts |
resourcepack search/install/details | Resource packs via Modrinth (alias: rp) |
shader search/install/details | Shaders via Modrinth |
plugin search/install/details | Server plugins via Modrinth (alias: pl) |
datapack search/install/details | Data packs via Modrinth (alias: dp) |
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
auth login [alias] | Sign in with Microsoft Device Code Flow |
auth logout | Remove stored credentials |
auth status | Show current authentication state |
auth accounts | List all saved accounts |
auth switch <alias> | Switch the active account |
skin | Browse saved skins and apply one to your account |
skin import <path.png> | Import a local skin PNG |
skin cape | Select or disable a cape on your account |
skin delete <name> | Remove a saved skin |
java | List detected Java installations and set a custom path |
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
settings | Open the interactive settings menu (alias: s) |
settings theme <name> | Switch color theme (crimson, arctic, forest, amber, violet, steel) |
settings language <en|es> | Switch language |
help | Quick-start guide |
ref | Full in-app command reference (alias: c) |
version | Show McSH version and runtime info |
update | Update McSH to the latest version |
restart | Restart McSH in a new terminal window |
clear | Clear the terminal screen (alias: cls) |
exit | Exit McSH |
Download the installer, run it, and type mcsh in any terminal. That's it.
C:\> mcsh
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v1.0.6 | Type 'help' to begin
> instance create
Version: 1.21.4
Loader: Fabric
Name: my-instance
Instance created.
[my-instance]> launch
Launching Minecraft 1.21.4 (Fabric)...
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