How do I install a datapack on my Minecraft server?

Datapacks change the game with the game's own files: new recipes, loot tables, advancements, functions, world generation and even small "mods" without any mod loader. They work on every server type, vanilla included, because they live inside the world folder. Installing one is a matter of putting the pack in the right folder and reloading.

Step 1: download the datapack

Trusted sources are Planet Minecraft, Modrinth (filter on datapack), Vanilla Tweaks and the creator's GitHub. Check that the pack supports your Minecraft version: a pack for 1.20 usually does not work on 26.x, because the pack format changes with every version. You get a .zip file; leave it zipped.

Step 2: upload to world/datapacks

1. Go to the game panel and click your server.
2. Open File Manager and go to your world folder (usually world) and then to datapacks. If the folder does not exist, create it.
3. Click Upload and select the .zip.

The pack must contain pack.mcmeta at its top level (directly in the zip, not in a subfolder). If you opened the download and it contains a single folder with the pack inside, upload that inner folder's contents as a zip, or unzip it so world/datapacks/PackName/pack.mcmeta exists.

Step 3: load the pack

Type reload in the console (or /reload in-game as operator) to load the pack without a restart. For packs that change world generation, a restart is needed, and they only affect chunks that have not been generated yet. Then check with:

datapack list

The pack should appear under enabled. If it appears under available, enable it with datapack enable "file/PackName.zip".

Datapack, plugin or mod?

• Datapack: works everywhere, no extra software, lives in the world. Limited to what commands and game files can do. Ideal for recipes, small mechanics and world generation.
• Plugin: runs on Paper and Spigot, much more powerful, does not need to be installed by players. See installing a plugin.
• Mod: runs on Fabric or Forge and players must install the same mod. Needed for new blocks, items and mobs with their own models. See our blog article mods versus plugins.

The pack does not load

• Not in the list: wrong folder (must be inside the world folder, not the server root), or pack.mcmeta is not at the top level of the zip.
• "Failed to load" or red in the list: the pack format does not match your version. Look for an updated version, or edit pack_format in pack.mcmeta if the creator says the pack is otherwise compatible.
• Loaded but nothing happens: many packs need a one-time command after loading (check the pack's page), or only affect new chunks.
• Errors after /reload: /reload also reloads plugins on Paper, which some plugins dislike. A full restart is cleaner.

Removing a datapack

Stop the server, delete the zip from world/datapacks and start again. Some packs leave behind scoreboards or entities; the pack's page usually lists an uninstall command to run first. Make a backup before installing packs that change world generation, because those changes cannot be undone.

Stuck? Open a ticket with the name of the pack and the output of datapack list.