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Vineflower

vineflower.org

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Spec score 8.0 #12 of 35 in Minecraft Mod Development Tools

What it is

Vineflower is a free, open-source Java decompiler for producing readable code from Java classes. It supports modern Java, including J21 and later, with automatic reformatting and multithreaded decompilation. The main distribution is a JAR from GitHub releases and Maven Central. You can run that JAR from the command line with archives or files, saving output to an archive or folder or printing it to the console. Vineflower can also be added through Maven or Gradle, and an IntelliJ plugin is available. A command-line option can emit Kotlin classes as Kotlin; the full distribution includes an experimental Kotlin decompiler plugin and other plugins for IntelliJ IDEA annotations and variable renaming. A slim artifact omits built-in plugins. Running requires a Java 17 or newer JVM. An experimental plugin system supports output changes or new JVM languages. The project calls itself a work in progress and welcomes contributions. It is licensed under Apache-2.0.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Vineflower is a modern Java decompiler designed for accurate, readable output.Read 11 Oct 2026 · vineflower.org
License
The project’s GitHub repository identifies its license as Apache-2.0.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Command line
Vineflower can be run from the command line with a JAR and input files.Read 5 Oct 2026 · vineflower.org
Configurable output
Command-line options can write output to an archive or folder, or print it to the console when no output is specified.Read 5 Oct 2026 · vineflower.org
Developer support
Users can ask questions through the project’s Discord, Matrix, or IRC community spaces and mailing lists.Read 11 Oct 2026 · vineflower.org
Development status
The project describes itself as work in progress and welcomes contributions.Read 5 Oct 2026 · vineflower.org
Distribution
The primary distribution is a JAR available from GitHub releases and Maven Central.Read 5 Oct 2026 · vineflower.org
Extensibility
Vineflower has an experimental plugin system for modifying output or implementing new JVM languages, and its plugin API is still in development.Read 11 Oct 2026 · vineflower.org
How to run
Vineflower can be run from the command line as a JAR using a Java 17 or newer JVM.Read 11 Oct 2026 · vineflower.org
IDE integration
An IntelliJ plugin is available for using Vineflower in IntelliJ IDEA.Read 11 Oct 2026 · vineflower.org
Inputs and outputs
Command-line inputs may include archives or files, and output can be saved to an archive or folder, or printed to the console.Read 11 Oct 2026 · vineflower.org
Java support
The site says Vineflower supports modern Java (J21+), including automatic output reformatting and multithreaded decompilation.Read 11 Oct 2026 · vineflower.org
Kotlin plugin
The built-in Kotlin plugin provides an experimental decompiler for Kotlin classes, except in the slim JAR distribution.Read 11 Oct 2026 · vineflower.org
Kotlin support
A command-line option enables decompiling Kotlin classes as Kotlin instead of Java.Read 5 Oct 2026 · vineflower.org
Library use
Vineflower is published on Maven Central and can be added as a dependency in Maven or Gradle projects.Read 11 Oct 2026 · vineflower.org
Other built-in plugins
The full distribution includes plugins for IntelliJ IDEA @NotNull bytecode and variable renaming; the slim artifact omits plugins.Read 11 Oct 2026 · vineflower.org
Output features
The site lists automatic output reformatting and multithreaded decompilation.Read 5 Oct 2026 · vineflower.org
Project status
Vineflower is described as a work-in-progress project, and contributions are welcomed.Read 11 Oct 2026 · vineflower.org
Runtime requirement
Running Vineflower requires a Java 17 or newer JVM.Read 5 Oct 2026 · vineflower.org
Security and compliance
The opened official pages provide no security or compliance claims for the decompiler.Read 11 Oct 2026 · vineflower.org
Slim artifact
A slim artifact is available without built-in plugins for cases where those plugins are not needed or a smaller dependency is desired.Read 5 Oct 2026 · vineflower.org
Usage requirement
Running Vineflower requires a Java 17 or newer JVM; the site does not state separate operating-system-specific builds.Read 11 Oct 2026 · vineflower.org

Plans and prices

Vineflower Free No paid plans or usage limits stated Read 11 Oct 2026 · vineflower.org

Every Vineflower plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free Apache-2.0 open-source project
  • Supports modern Java J21+
  • Command-line, library and IntelliJ options
  • Automatic reformatting and multithreaded output
  • Kotlin output option

Limits

  • Requires Java 17 or newer
  • Kotlin decompiler plugin is experimental
  • Plugin API remains in development
  • Project describes itself as work in progress

Who it suits

Vineflower suits developers who need a command-line, library or IntelliJ Java decompiler on Linux, macOS, Windows or self-hosted systems.

Verdict

Vineflower offers several ways to decompile Java, including Kotlin output and configurable destinations. Its runtime requirement and work-in-progress status matter for production tooling decisions.

Where Specifiction places it

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