A recipe defines a crafting formula — ingredients, time, skill requirement, and output. Recipes appear in the crafting interface organized under the category tabs defined in manifest.json.

Files live in: <your_pack_id>/data/recipes/<group_folder>/<recipe_name>.json

File Structure

{
  "recipe": {
    "inputs": [
      { "<item_id>": <count> },
      { "<item_id>": <count> }
    ],
    "output": {
      "<item_id>": <count>
    },
    "time_seconds": 0,
    "requires": {
      "<skill_id>": <level>
    }
  },
  "craft": {
    "type": "<category_id>",
    "id": "<output_item_id>"
  }
}

Field Reference — recipe

FieldTypeRequiredDescription
inputsarrayList of ingredient items and quantities. Each entry is a single key-value pair: { "item_id": count }
outputobjectThe item produced and quantity: { "item_id": count }
time_secondsnumberHow many seconds this recipe takes to complete
requiresobjectSkill(s) required and minimum level: { "skill_id": level }. Use 0 for no requirement.

Field Reference — craft

FieldTypeRequiredDescription
typestringThe crafting category ID this recipe appears in. Must match a category in manifest.json under recipes.
idstringNamespaced ID of the output item. Links the recipe to the correct item card in the UI.

Crafting Time Guide

time_secondsMeaning
015Instant or very fast — basic raw materials
1560Short — common ingots
60300Medium — uncommon materials
3001200Long — rare materials
1200+Very long — high-tier exotic materials

Skill Level Guide

LevelMeaning
0No requirement — anyone can craft this
13Early progression — basic materials
46Mid-game — intermediate materials
79Late game — advanced materials
10Max level — endgame only

Example — Basic Ore-to-Ingot (No Skill Required)

{
  "recipe": {
    "inputs": [
      { "stellar_forge:ore_copper": 1 },
      { "stellar_forge:ore_coal": 1 }
    ],
    "output": { "stellar_forge:ingot_copper": 1 },
    "time_seconds": 15,
    "requires": { "stellar_forge:forging": 0 }
  },
  "craft": {
    "type": "stellar_forge:forging",
    "id": "stellar_forge:ingot_copper"
  }
}

Combines Copper Ore and Coal to produce a Copper Ingot in 15 seconds. No forging skill level needed.

Example — Intermediate Ingot (Requires Skill Level 3)

{
  "recipe": {
    "inputs": [
      { "stellar_forge:ore_uranium": 2 },
      { "stellar_forge:ore_coal": 5 }
    ],
    "output": { "stellar_forge:ingot_uranium": 1 },
    "time_seconds": 180,
    "requires": { "stellar_forge:nuclear_forging": 3 }
  },
  "craft": {
    "type": "stellar_forge:forging",
    "id": "stellar_forge:ingot_uranium"
  }
}

Example — Alloy Recipe (Two Ingots, High Level)

{
  "recipe": {
    "inputs": [
      { "stellar_forge:ingot_uranium": 1 },
      { "stellar_forge:ingot_xenite": 2 },
      { "stellar_forge:ore_coal": 8 }
    ],
    "output": { "stellar_forge:alloy_xenite_uranium": 1 },
    "time_seconds": 600,
    "requires": { "stellar_forge:nuclear_forging": 6 }
  },
  "craft": {
    "type": "stellar_forge:alloys",
    "id": "stellar_forge:alloy_xenite_uranium"
  }
}

Example — Endgame Exotic Recipe

{
  "recipe": {
    "inputs": [
      { "stellar_forge:ore_voidstone": 1 },
      { "stellar_forge:ingot_xenite": 3 },
      { "stellar_forge:alloy_xenite_uranium": 1 },
      { "stellar_forge:ore_coal": 20 }
    ],
    "output": { "stellar_forge:alloy_void_composite": 1 },
    "time_seconds": 3600,
    "requires": { "stellar_forge:nuclear_forging": 9 }
  },
  "craft": {
    "type": "stellar_forge:alloys",
    "id": "stellar_forge:alloy_void_composite"
  }
}

Takes 1 hour to craft and requires near-max skill level. Multiple rare inputs make this a prestige material.

Design Tips

  • Chain your materials. Design a progression: ore → ingot → alloy → equipment. Each step should require the previous.
  • Match crafting time to rarity. Common materials should be quick (15–60s). Rare/legendary should be slow (10+ min).
  • Use skill requirements as gates. Lock key recipes behind skill levels to prevent players skipping progression.
  • Coal as fuel. Using a fuel ore as a second input for smelting gives it value without making it a primary material.