manifest.json is the control file for your entire datapack. The game reads it first. It tells the game your pack name, version, and what categories of content you are adding.

Only name and version are required. All other sections are optional โ€” only include what your pack actually uses.

Top-Level Fields

FieldTypeRequiredDescription
namestringโœ…Your pack unique ID. Must match the folder name.
versionstringโœ…Version string. Use semantic versioning: "1.0.0"
admin_item_listobjectOptionalCategories for the admin item browser
admin_hostiles_listobjectOptionalCategories for the admin enemy browser
admin_panelobjectOptionalTop-level tabs in the admin panel
admin_player_listobjectOptionalCategories for the admin player browser
admin_roleobjectOptionalPlayer role definitions for admin access control
core_systemsobjectOptionalEquipment slot definitions for players and ships
recipesobjectOptionalCrafting interface category definitions
shopobjectOptionalIn-game shop tab definitions
skillsobjectOptionalSkill tree category definitions

name and version

{
  "name": "stellar_forge",
  "version": "1.0.0"
}

admin_item_list

Defines filter categories shown when an admin browses items. Each entry appears as a tab or filter button.

"admin_item_list": {
  "categories": {
    "stellar_forge:all":       { "displayName": "admin.category.stellar_forge.item_list.all" },
    "stellar_forge:ores":      { "displayName": "admin.category.stellar_forge.item_list.ores" },
    "stellar_forge:ingots":    { "displayName": "admin.category.stellar_forge.item_list.ingots" },
    "stellar_forge:equipment": { "displayName": "admin.category.stellar_forge.item_list.equipment" }
  }
}

core_systems โ€” Equipment Slots

Defines every equipment slot available on a player character and their ship. Items reference these slot IDs to declare where they can be equipped.

"core_systems": {
  "categories": {
    "stellar_forge:personal_helmet":     { "displayName": "core_systems.category.stellar_forge.person.helmet" },
    "stellar_forge:personal_suit":       { "displayName": "core_systems.category.stellar_forge.person.suit" },
    "stellar_forge:personal_gloves":     { "displayName": "core_systems.category.stellar_forge.person.gloves" },
    "stellar_forge:personal_boots":      { "displayName": "core_systems.category.stellar_forge.person.boots" },
    "stellar_forge:personal_backpack":   { "displayName": "core_systems.category.stellar_forge.person.backpack" },
    "stellar_forge:personal_weapons":    { "displayName": "core_systems.category.stellar_forge.person.weapon" },
    "stellar_forge:personal_accessory_1": { "displayName": "core_systems.category.stellar_forge.person.accessory_1" },
    "stellar_forge:personal_accessory_2": { "displayName": "core_systems.category.stellar_forge.person.accessory_2" },
    "stellar_forge:ship_hull":           { "displayName": "core_systems.category.stellar_forge.ship.hull" },
    "stellar_forge:ship_shields":        { "displayName": "core_systems.category.stellar_forge.ship.shields" },
    "stellar_forge:ship_engines":        { "displayName": "core_systems.category.stellar_forge.ship.engines" },
    "stellar_forge:ship_weapon_1":       { "displayName": "core_systems.category.stellar_forge.ship.weapon_1" },
    "stellar_forge:ship_weapon_2":       { "displayName": "core_systems.category.stellar_forge.ship.weapon_2" },
    "stellar_forge:ship_thruster_1":     { "displayName": "core_systems.category.stellar_forge.ship.thruster_1" },
    "stellar_forge:ship_thruster_2":     { "displayName": "core_systems.category.stellar_forge.ship.thruster_2" }
  }
}
You can define as many accessory and thruster slots as you like. Just number them: _1, _2, _3, etc.

recipes

"recipes": {
  "categories": {
    "stellar_forge:forging": { "displayName": "recipes.category.stellar_forge.forging" },
    "stellar_forge:alloys":  { "displayName": "recipes.category.stellar_forge.alloys" },
    "stellar_forge:food":    { "displayName": "recipes.category.stellar_forge.food" }
  }
}

shop

"shop": {
  "categories": {
    "stellar_forge:featured":          { "displayName": "shop.category.stellar_forge.featured" },
    "stellar_forge:materials":         { "displayName": "shop.category.stellar_forge.materials" },
    "stellar_forge:personal_equipment": { "displayName": "shop.category.stellar_forge.personal.equipment" },
    "stellar_forge:ship_equipment":    { "displayName": "shop.category.stellar_forge.ship.equipment" },
    "stellar_forge:consumables":       { "displayName": "shop.category.stellar_forge.consumables" }
  }
}

Complete Minimal Example

{
  "name": "stellar_forge",
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "admin_item_list": {
    "categories": {
      "stellar_forge:all":  { "displayName": "admin.category.stellar_forge.item_list.all" },
      "stellar_forge:ores": { "displayName": "admin.category.stellar_forge.item_list.ores" }
    }
  },
  "core_systems": {
    "categories": {
      "stellar_forge:personal_suit": { "displayName": "core_systems.category.stellar_forge.person.suit" },
      "stellar_forge:ship_hull":     { "displayName": "core_systems.category.stellar_forge.ship.hull" }
    }
  },
  "recipes": {
    "categories": {
      "stellar_forge:forging": { "displayName": "recipes.category.stellar_forge.forging" }
    }
  },
  "skills": {
    "categories": {
      "stellar_forge:crafting": { "displayName": "skills.category.stellar_forge.crafting" }
    }
  }
}