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Basalt Launcher

github.com

Free plan WindowsmacOSLinux
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Spec score 8.6 #11 of 75 in Minecraft Launchers

What it is

Basalt Launcher is a free, open-source Minecraft launcher written in Rust for Linux, Windows, and macOS. It keeps saves, mods, resource packs, shaders, settings, and launch options separate for each instance. Users can install and switch among Fabric, Quilt, NeoForge, and Forge, browse Modrinth and CurseForge with compatibility filtering, dependency resolution, changelogs, and update checks, and create an instance from a Modrinth modpack. Multiple Microsoft accounts are supported with device-code sign-in and silent token refresh. Skin and cape tools allow importing, previewing, saving, and applying cosmetics. Basalt can locate compatible Java runtimes and set global or per-instance overrides. Downloads and installs can be monitored, cancelled, or recovered after interruption. Separate launcher and game logs, adjustable log levels, and launch-argument previews aid diagnosis. Installers are provided for the three desktop systems, though testing coverage varies by platform during beta. Basalt is not an official Mojang or Microsoft product.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Basalt is an open-source Minecraft launcher with an artwork-led interface and tools for managing instances, loaders, content, accounts, and launch settings.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com
Product
Basalt is an open-source Minecraft launcher written in Rust.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Support
The project directs users to GitHub Issues for reproducible bug reports and feature proposals, and asks them to include logs, operating system, Minecraft version, and loader when relevant.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com
Maker
The maker's GitHub profile describes MegalithOfficial as working on machine learning systems and identifies its owner as a backend developer; it gives no headquarters or founding date.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com
Accounts and cosmetics
It supports multiple Microsoft accounts with device-code sign-in and silent token refresh, and lets users import, preview, save, and apply skins and manage capes.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com
Built-in modpack catalog
YesRead 22 Sep 2026 · github.com
Content integrations
It can browse Modrinth and CurseForge with compatibility filtering, dependency resolution, changelogs, and update checks.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com
CurseForge setup
The README says release builds ship with a CurseForge key, while source builds require a key set at build time or entered under Settings → Integrations.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
CurseForge setup limit
Release builds include a CurseForge key, while source builds require users to provide their own key; CurseForge must manually approve API key applications.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com
Desktop platforms
Basalt describes itself as cross-platform software for Linux, Windows, and macOS, and notes that testing coverage varies between platforms during the beta.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Diagnostics
The launcher separates its logs from game output, allows changing log levels, and can preview final launch arguments.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Downloads and diagnostics
Users can monitor downloads and installs, cancel active tasks, recover interrupted operations, view separate launcher and game logs, and preview final launch arguments.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com
Game files
Basalt says it downloads game files from Mojang's servers and never redistributes them, and states it is not an official Minecraft product or associated with Mojang or Microsoft.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com
Install formats
GitHub Releases provide Windows .exe and .msi installers, a macOS .dmg, and Linux AppImage and Debian packages; Arch and Nix installation options are also documented.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com
Installers
The project lists Windows EXE and MSI, macOS DMG, and Linux AppImage and Debian package installers.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Instance management
It keeps saves, mods, resource packs, shaders, settings, and launch options separate for each instance.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com
Java runtime management
YesRead 22 Sep 2026 · github.com
Java runtimes
It detects compatible Java runtimes from the system and common version managers, with global and per-instance overrides.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com
Minecraft affiliation
The project states it is not an official Minecraft product and is not approved by or associated with Mojang or Microsoft.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Mod loader support
multipleRead 22 Sep 2026 · github.com
Mod loaders
It supports installing and switching between Fabric, Quilt, NeoForge, and Forge.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com
Modpack import
catalogRead 22 Sep 2026 · github.com
Modpacks
It can create an instance directly from a Modrinth modpack.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com
Platforms and beta
Basalt supports Linux, Windows, and macOS, and the project says testing coverage varies between platforms during the beta.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com
Security guidance
The README tells users not to commit an API key or include one in a bug report.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com
Separate instances
YesRead 22 Sep 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

Basalt Launcher Free Open-source Minecraft launcher · Linux, Windows, macOS Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every Basalt Launcher plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Separates saves, mods, settings, and launch options by instance
  • Supports Fabric, Quilt, NeoForge, and Forge
  • Browses Modrinth and CurseForge catalogs
  • Manages Java runtimes with per-instance overrides
  • Free and open source

Limits

  • Platform testing coverage varies during beta
  • Source builds require a CurseForge key
  • CurseForge API applications need manual approval
  • Not affiliated with Mojang or Microsoft

Who it suits

Basalt suits Minecraft players who want separate modded instances, multiple loaders, catalog browsing, Java management, and account tools on desktop systems.

Verdict

Basalt brings instance management, mod-loader switching, content catalogs, and Java controls into a free desktop launcher. Beta platform coverage and CurseForge key requirements matter when choosing an installation method.

Where Specifiction places it

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