Minecraft Datapack Compiler vs Shulkerscript
Minecraft Datapack Compiler
github.comShulkerscript
shulkerscript.hoelting.devSide by side
| Figure | Minecraft Datapack Compiler | Shulkerscript |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 0 |
| Spec score · Minecraft Datapack Generators | 7.7 (#8) | 7.0 (#19) |
| Editor integration | Comet Highlighter is a VS Code extension for `.planet` syntax highlighting and does not provide autocomplete. | The official Visual Studio Code extension provides syntax highlighting and snippets for Shulkerscript files. |
| Language features | The documented language supports variables, functions, imports, conditionals, while loops, Minecraft commands, and macros. | The language supports functions, imports, tags, conditional statements, execute blocks, and Lua code embedded in scripts. |
| Purpose | Minecraft Datapack Compiler compiles Minecraft datapacks from the project’s `.planet` language. | Shulkerscript is a language for writing Minecraft datapacks, with syntax similar to other programming languages and features beyond `.mcfunction` files. |
Plans
In their own words
Minecraft Datapack Compiler
Minecraft Datapack Compiler turns projects written in the `.planet` language into Minecraft datapacks, with folder export and options to generate functions. The documented language includes variables, functions, imports, conditionals, while loops, Minecraft commands, and macros; built-ins cover printing, random values, type conversion, scoreboard access, and data access or modification. CLI arguments set the input file, Minecraft version, output folder, namespace, logging level, or help page. The precompiled Windows executable supports GUI and CLI use; users building from source can launch the GUI on Windows, macOS, or Linux. The project is free to use with proper credit, and its repository identifies an MIT license. Release notes list support additions for Minecraft 1.21.5, 1.21.6, 1.21.7, 1.21.8, 26.1, and 26.1.1. The README warns that its bundled basic datapack does not work on Minecraft 1.21.5 and later. Comet Highlighter provides `.planet` syntax highlighting in VS Code but no autocomplete. The README points to a tutorial video that is currently unavailable.
Shulkerscript
Shulkerscript is a scripting language and command-line tool for creating Minecraft data packs. Its syntax resembles other programming languages and extends beyond `.mcfunction` files: one source file can generate multiple function files callable from Minecraft or other Shulkerscript files. Language features include functions, imports, tags, conditionals, execute blocks, groupings, literal commands, and embedded Lua. Functions marked with `#[tick]` can run every tick, while `#[load]` functions can run when a data pack loads. The CLI builds projects into a `dist` directory, watches for file changes, and can package a compiled project as a ZIP archive. An online playground allows browser use without installation, and an optional official Visual Studio Code extension supplies syntax highlighting and snippets. Installation instructions cover Windows, Linux, and macOS, with options including GitHub releases, cargo-binstall, and building from source with Rust and Cargo. The project is free and open source. The documentation labels the playground and Lua integration as works in progress.