CurseForge Gradle Publish Plugin vs MCreator

CurseForge Gradle Publish Plugin publishes build artifacts to CurseForge from a Gradle build. A publication can specify a CurseForge project ID, main artifact, game versions, display name, release type, changelog, and artifact relationships. It uses the CurseForge Upload API and needs an API token in the plugin’s curseforge extension. The README warns that keeping the token in a version-controlled build script can expose it; user-specific Gradle properties are suggested instead.

For mod projects, the plugin can derive publication details from other tools. With Fabric Loom and a remapJar or jar bundling task, it can create a publication preconfigured for Fabric and the targeted Minecraft version. Its ModDevGradle and NeoGradle integrations can infer NeoForge and Minecraft-version details. When Gradle’s java-base plugin is present, it infers the Java version from the compileJava target.

MCreator is free, open-source software for making Minecraft Java mods, Bedrock add-ons, resource packs and data packs. A visual interface lets users create many mod elements without programming knowledge, while the integrated code editor provides syntax highlighting, autocomplete, formatting and breakpoint support. Asset tools include texture and animation editors, a mob animation wizard and a sound manager. Built-in testing and a Java debugger support Minecraft client and server work. MCreator Link connects Arduino and Raspberry Pi hardware with Minecraft through procedures, commands and an API. Community plugins can add generator types, procedure blocks, AI tasks and API support, although the maker warns that especially Java plugins can be powerful and should not come from unknown sources. The application runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, and internet access is needed during setup to download dependencies. Its desktop app collects anonymous usage data, with analytics disablement available in modern versions. Support includes a knowledge base, wiki, forum and issue tracker. The listed plan costs nothing, with voluntary donations.