Recipes Reference
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
| Field | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
inputs | array | ✅ | List of ingredient items and quantities. Each entry is a single key-value pair: { "item_id": count } |
output | object | ✅ | The item produced and quantity: { "item_id": count } |
time_seconds | number | ✅ | How many seconds this recipe takes to complete |
requires | object | ✅ | Skill(s) required and minimum level: { "skill_id": level }. Use 0 for no requirement. |
Field Reference — craft
| Field | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
type | string | ✅ | The crafting category ID this recipe appears in. Must match a category in manifest.json under recipes. |
id | string | ✅ | Namespaced ID of the output item. Links the recipe to the correct item card in the UI. |
Crafting Time Guide
| time_seconds | Meaning |
|---|---|
0 – 15 | Instant or very fast — basic raw materials |
15 – 60 | Short — common ingots |
60 – 300 | Medium — uncommon materials |
300 – 1200 | Long — rare materials |
1200+ | Very long — high-tier exotic materials |
Skill Level Guide
| Level | Meaning |
|---|---|
0 | No requirement — anyone can craft this |
1 – 3 | Early progression — basic materials |
4 – 6 | Mid-game — intermediate materials |
7 – 9 | Late game — advanced materials |
10 | Max 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.