Recaf

Spec sheet

Purpose

Recaf is a Java and Android reverse engineering tool for navigating application logic and modifying application behavior.Read 3 Oct 2026 · recaf.coley.software

Product

Recaf is an open-source Java bytecode editor for analyzing and editing compiled Java applications.Read 2 Oct 2026 · recaf.coley.software

Bytecode editing

Its assembler supports editing JVM instructions with labels, variable names, and bytecode snippets.Read 2 Oct 2026 · recaf.coley.software

Decompile and recompile

Users can view decompiled code, edit it as Java, and recompile classes into the workspace without adding dependencies to that workspace.Read 2 Oct 2026 · recaf.coley.software

Deobfuscation

Recaf includes transformers for common obfuscation patterns and tools for renaming symbols and inspecting specially crafted Java archives.Read 2 Oct 2026 · recaf.coley.software

Editing

Classes can be edited by recompiling decompiled code or reassembling disassembled code.Read 3 Oct 2026 · recaf.coley.software

File formats

Supported inputs include class files, JAR/ZIP/WAR/AAR archives, JMOD files, APK/DEX files, and read-only modules.Read 2 Oct 2026 · recaf.coley.software

Input formats

Recaf supports .class, .jar, .zip, .war, .aar, .jmod, .apk, .dex, and read-only modules, and auto-detects supported content types.Read 3 Oct 2026 · recaf.coley.software

Installation

The documentation recommends the launcher for most users; it downloads compatible JavaFX artifacts, lets users choose an installed Java version, and provides one-click updates.Read 3 Oct 2026 · recaf.coley.software

Java requirement

Recaf requires JDK 22 or higher.Read 3 Oct 2026 · recaf.coley.software

JavaFX requirement

Recaf requires JavaFX 22 or higher, which the launcher can download automatically.Read 3 Oct 2026 · recaf.coley.software

Launcher interface

Each launcher release offers a GUI and CLI.Read 2 Oct 2026 · recaf.coley.software

Live patching

Recaf can attach to running Java processes and redefine classes without restarting the target application.Read 2 Oct 2026 · recaf.coley.software

Live patching limits

The Attach API prevents removing existing fields or methods and inserting new fields or methods into existing classes.Read 2 Oct 2026 · recaf.coley.software

Obfuscation context

The documentation describes obfuscation as making application logic harder to reverse engineer and points to deobfuscation chapters for Recaf’s capabilities.Read 3 Oct 2026 · recaf.coley.software

Plugins and scripts

Recaf supports scripts and plugins through modular APIs, allowing users to automate workflows and extend functionality.Read 2 Oct 2026 · recaf.coley.software

Runtime requirements

Recaf requires JDK 22 or higher and JavaFX 22 or higher.Read 2 Oct 2026 · recaf.coley.software

Search

Search can find classes, members, strings, constants, references, and bytecode patterns.Read 2 Oct 2026 · recaf.coley.software

Use cases

The site lists reverse engineering, malware analysis, Java modding, and live debugging and patching as common use cases.Read 2 Oct 2026 · recaf.coley.software

Where Specifiction places it

• Minecraft Mod Development Tools#28 of 356.8
• Decompiler Software#22 of 246.9