Cobble vs Minecraft Datapack Language
Cobble
deveworld.github.ioMinecraft Datapack Language
mcmdl.comSide by side
| Figure | Cobble | Minecraft Datapack Language |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 0 | 2 |
| Spec score · Minecraft Datapack Generators | 7.5 (#9) | 8.6 (#2) |
| cli | The CLI supports project templates, formatting, building, checking, watching, validation, and ZIP output. | The command-line tool can build datapacks, check code, create projects, and build directories containing multiple files. |
| installation | The stable release can be installed with cargo install cobble-lang --locked. | The recommended installation is pipx install minecraft-datapack-language, with pip and editable source installation also documented. |
| license | Cobble is licensed under the MIT License. | MDL is open source software licensed under the MIT License. |
| purpose | Cobble is a modern, Python-like language for creating Minecraft data packs. | MDL compiles a JavaScript-style language into Minecraft datapacks. |
| support | The project directs users to GitHub Issues for support and bug reports. | The maker points users to documentation, examples, GitHub Issues, and GitHub Discussions for support. |
Plans
Minecraft Datapack Language
- Minecraft Datapack LanguageFree
- Minecraft Datapack Language (MDL)Free
In their own words
Cobble
Cobble is free, open-source software under the MIT License that transpiles .cbl source into data packs for Minecraft Java Edition. Its Python-like language supports functions, indentation, imports, control flow and static type inference for variables, constants and expressions. Output can include .mcfunction files, pack metadata, tags, predicates, advancements, loot tables, recipes, item modifiers, dialogs and other JSON resources. Cobble handles command JSON safety, macro parameters and command validation, with standard-library helpers for events, text, scoreboards, storage, item components, schedules, selectors, positions, bossbars, teams and entities. The command-line workflow covers project initialization, formatting, building, checking, watching, validation, inspection, linking, cleaning and ZIP creation. The stable release installs with cargo install cobble-lang --locked. A browser compiler runs the Rust parser and transpiler through WebAssembly and can download generated files or a data-pack ZIP. The listed target is Minecraft Java Edition 26.1.2 with pack format 101.1. Cobble is pre-1.0 and actively developed, so bugs and API changes may occur.
Minecraft Datapack Language
Minecraft Datapack Language (MDL) compiles a JavaScript-style language into Minecraft datapacks. It supports if/else statements, while loops, number variables, arithmetic expressions and variable scopes. Projects can span multiple files, with variables from all files merged automatically, and can reference external JSON for registry types such as recipes, loot tables and advancements. Its command-line tool can create projects, check code and build datapacks or directories containing multiple files. A VS Code extension adds syntax highlighting, real-time error checking, build commands, workspace validation and raw text blocks. Python bindings support programmatic datapack creation with variables, control flow, nested functions and MDL scopes. Documentation includes Makefile, npm scripts and GitHub Actions build and checking examples. MDL is open source under the MIT License and costs nothing. Listed platforms include API, extension, Linux, macOS and Windows; system requirements include Python 3.8 or higher and Minecraft 1.20+ or 1.19+. Support pointers include documentation, examples, GitHub Issues and GitHub Discussions.