> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/modrinth/code/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Profiles and Instances

> Learn how to create and manage profiles and instances in the Modrinth launcher

Profiles (also called instances) are isolated Minecraft installations with their own mods, configurations, saves, and settings. Each profile can have a different Minecraft version, mod loader, and set of mods.

## Understanding Profiles

A profile is a complete, self-contained Minecraft installation:

* **Independent**: Each profile has its own mods, saves, resource packs, and settings
* **Isolated**: Changes to one profile don't affect others
* **Flexible**: Mix different Minecraft versions, mod loaders, and mod combinations
* **Organized**: Keep different playstyles, modpacks, or servers separate

<Info>
  Profiles are stored in separate folders, so you can have hundreds of profiles without conflicts. Each profile can be 100MB to several GB depending on mods and worlds.
</Info>

## Creating Profiles

Create a new profile to start a fresh Minecraft installation:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Click Create Profile">
    In the launcher, click the **+ Create Profile** button or **New Instance**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose creation method">
    Select how to create your profile:

    <Tabs>
      <Tab title="Vanilla">
        Start with a clean Minecraft installation:

        1. Select Minecraft version
        2. Choose **Vanilla** as the mod loader
        3. Name your profile
        4. Click **Create**
      </Tab>

      <Tab title="With Mod Loader">
        Start with a mod loader pre-installed:

        1. Select Minecraft version
        2. Choose mod loader (Fabric, Forge, Quilt, or NeoForge)
        3. Select loader version (latest/stable recommended)
        4. Name your profile
        5. Click **Create**
      </Tab>

      <Tab title="From Modpack">
        Install a pre-made modpack:

        1. Browse modpacks on Modrinth
        2. Click **Install** on a modpack
        3. The launcher creates a profile automatically
        4. Customize the name if desired
      </Tab>
    </Tabs>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wait for installation">
    The launcher will:

    * Download Minecraft files
    * Install the mod loader (if selected)
    * Set up the profile folder structure
    * Download required libraries and dependencies
  </Step>

  <Step title="Customize (optional)">
    After creation, you can:

    * Add an icon
    * Install mods
    * Configure settings
    * Import worlds
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Give your profiles descriptive names like "Vanilla 1.20.4", "Sky Factory 4", or "Multiplayer Server" to easily identify them.
</Tip>

## Managing Profiles

Organize and maintain your profile collection:

### Profile Actions

Right-click any profile to access management options:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Edit" icon="pen">
    Modify profile settings, name, icon, and configuration.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Duplicate" icon="copy">
    Create an exact copy of the profile with all mods and settings.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Open Folder" icon="folder-open">
    Access the profile's directory to add files or modify configs manually.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Delete" icon="trash">
    Permanently remove the profile and all its data.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Export" icon="file-export">
    Package the profile as a modpack (.mrpack file) for sharing.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Repair" icon="wrench">
    Reinstall Minecraft and mod loader to fix corrupted installations.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### Profile Groups

Organize profiles into groups:

1. Right-click a profile
2. Select **Add to Group**
3. Create a new group or select an existing one
4. Profiles can be in multiple groups

Useful for organizing:

* By Minecraft version (1.19, 1.20, etc.)
* By purpose (Servers, Singleplayer, Testing)
* By modpack type (Kitchen Sink, Tech, Magic)

## Instance Isolation

Each profile is completely isolated:

### Separate Files

```
profiles/
├── Vanilla 1.20/
│   ├── mods/
│   ├── saves/
│   ├── resourcepacks/
│   ├── shaderpacks/
│   ├── config/
│   └── options.txt
├── Sky Factory 4/
│   ├── mods/
│   ├── saves/
│   ├── resourcepacks/
│   └── ...
└── Multiplayer Server/
    └── ...
```

### Benefits of Isolation

* **No conflicts**: Incompatible mods can coexist in different profiles
* **Easy testing**: Try new mods without affecting your main setup
* **Multiple versions**: Run different Minecraft versions simultaneously
* **Clean organization**: Keep modpacks, servers, and vanilla separate

<Note>
  While profiles are isolated, they share some common files like Java installations and asset downloads to save disk space.
</Note>

## Minecraft Version Selection

Choose any Minecraft version for each profile:

### Available Versions

* **Release**: Stable versions (1.20.4, 1.19.2, etc.)
* **Snapshot**: Development versions (24w10a, etc.)
* **Old Beta/Alpha**: Historical versions
* **Old Release**: Versions before the new launcher

### Version Compatibility

Considerations when selecting a version:

* **Mod availability**: Most mods target recent stable versions
* **Performance**: Newer versions often have better optimization
* **Features**: Each version introduces new gameplay elements
* **Server compatibility**: Match your server's version

<Warning>
  Changing a profile's Minecraft version after creation will require reinstalling the game files and may break installed mods. Consider creating a new profile instead.
</Warning>

## Mod Loader Selection

Select the appropriate mod loader for your needs:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Fabric">
    **Best for**: Modern, lightweight modding

    **Characteristics:**

    * Fast and lightweight
    * Quick updates to new Minecraft versions
    * Large selection of performance and utility mods
    * Clean API design

    **Popular mods:**

    * Sodium, Lithium, Phosphor (performance)
    * Iris Shaders
    * Fabric API (required for most mods)

    **Use when:**

    * You want better performance
    * You need the latest Minecraft version quickly
    * You prefer lightweight modpacks
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Forge">
    **Best for**: Established modpacks and content mods

    **Characteristics:**

    * Longest-standing mod loader
    * Massive mod ecosystem
    * Many large content mods
    * Extensive APIs

    **Popular mods:**

    * Create, Mekanism, Thermal Series
    * Tinkers' Construct
    * Applied Energistics

    **Use when:**

    * Playing established modpacks
    * You need specific Forge-only mods
    * Maximum mod selection is priority
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Quilt">
    **Best for**: Fabric alternative with enhanced features

    **Characteristics:**

    * Fork of Fabric with additional features
    * Mostly compatible with Fabric mods
    * Enhanced modding APIs
    * Community-driven development

    **Use when:**

    * You want Fabric compatibility with extras
    * You're developing mods
    * You need specific Quilt features
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="NeoForge">
    **Best for**: Modern Forge experience

    **Characteristics:**

    * Fork of Forge for Minecraft 1.20.1+
    * Modernized codebase
    * Active development
    * Compatible with many Forge mods

    **Use when:**

    * Playing on Minecraft 1.20.1+
    * You want Forge-style modding with modern features
    * Specific mods require NeoForge
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Vanilla">
    **Best for**: Pure Minecraft experience

    **Characteristics:**

    * No mod loader
    * No mods (except data packs)
    * Clean, unmodified game

    **Use when:**

    * Playing vanilla Minecraft
    * Joining vanilla servers
    * Using only resource packs and data packs
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

### Loader Version Selection

When installing a mod loader, choose the version:

* **Latest**: Most recent version (may have bugs)
* **Stable**: Recommended version (tested and reliable)
* **Specific**: Choose an exact version number

<Tip>
  For most users, selecting **Stable** provides the best balance of features and reliability.
</Tip>

## Resource Packs and Shader Packs

Customize your profile's appearance:

### Adding Resource Packs

<Steps>
  <Step title="Obtain resource pack">
    Download a resource pack (.zip file) from Modrinth, CurseForge, or other sources.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add to profile">
    Either:

    * Right-click profile → **Open Folder** → Navigate to `resourcepacks/` folder
    * Or drag and drop the .zip file into the launcher
  </Step>

  <Step title="Activate in-game">
    1. Launch Minecraft
    2. Go to **Options** → **Resource Packs**
    3. Move your pack from "Available" to "Selected"
    4. Click **Done**
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Adding Shader Packs

Shaders require a shader mod first:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Install shader mod">
    Install either:

    * **Iris Shaders** (for Fabric/Quilt)
    * **OptiFine** (for Forge)
    * Built-in for some modpacks
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add shader pack">
    Download a shader pack (.zip file) and place it in the `shaderpacks/` folder.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable in-game">
    1. Launch Minecraft
    2. Go to **Options** → **Video Settings** → **Shader Packs**
    3. Select your shader pack
    4. Click **Done**
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Shaders are performance-intensive. Ensure your system meets the requirements and consider allocating more memory for profiles using shaders.
</Warning>

## Profile Settings

Customize each profile independently:

### Basic Settings

* **Name**: Identify your profile
* **Icon**: Visual identifier (custom image or emoji)
* **Game Version**: Minecraft version
* **Loader**: Mod loader type and version

### Java Settings

* **Java Installation**: Auto-detect or custom path
* **Memory Allocation**: RAM dedicated to this profile
* **JVM Arguments**: Advanced Java configuration

### Game Settings

* **Resolution**: Default window size
* **Fullscreen**: Force fullscreen mode
* **Game Arguments**: Minecraft launch options

### Advanced Settings

* **Environment Variables**: Custom environment configuration
* **Launch Hooks**: Pre-launch, wrapper, and post-exit scripts

<Note>
  Settings can be configured globally (affecting all profiles) or per-profile (overriding global settings). Per-profile settings take precedence.
</Note>

## Best Practices

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Name Clearly" icon="tag">
    Use descriptive names that indicate:

    * Minecraft version
    * Purpose (modpack name, server, testing)
    * Mod loader if relevant
  </Card>

  <Card title="Organize with Groups" icon="folder-tree">
    Group related profiles:

    * By version (1.19 Profiles, 1.20 Profiles)
    * By type (Servers, Modpacks, Vanilla)
    * By status (Active, Archive, Testing)
  </Card>

  <Card title="Regular Backups" icon="floppy-disk">
    Export important profiles:

    * Before major changes
    * After significant progress
    * When sharing with friends
  </Card>

  <Card title="Clean Up Unused" icon="broom">
    Periodically remove:

    * Old test profiles
    * Outdated modpack versions
    * Duplicate instances
  </Card>
</CardGroup>