# Captain's Modlist — Install Guide

This pack **auto-updates**: once set up, you just launch and it pulls the latest
mods/configs automatically. No reinstalling when a new version drops.

- **Minecraft:** 1.21.1
- **Mod loader:** NeoForge 21.1.230
- **Recommended RAM:** 6–8 GB

---

## Pack URL (you'll need this in step 4)

```
https://files.boreal-mulley.ts.net/captains-modlist/pack.toml
```

> On the same LAN as the server? You can use the local URL instead (faster, no
> Tailscale needed): `http://192.168.0.101:8087/captains-modlist/pack.toml`

---

## 1. Install Prism Launcher

Download from **https://prismlauncher.org/download/** and install:

- **Windows:** grab the Windows installer (`.exe`). If it complains about
  missing files, install the **MSVC redistributable** linked on that page.
- **macOS:** download the `.dmg`, drag Prism to Applications.
- **Linux:** Flatpak (`flatpak install flathub org.prismlauncher.PrismLauncher`)
  or your distro's package.

On first run, pick any defaults; let it auto-detect Java (it bundles one).

## 2. Add your Minecraft account

`Accounts` (top-right) → **Manage Accounts → Add Microsoft** → sign in with the
account that owns Minecraft: Java Edition.

## 3. Create the instance

1. **Add Instance** (top-left) → **Custom** tab.
2. Name it `Captain's Modlist`.
3. Minecraft version: **1.21.1**.
4. Click **Mod Loader → NeoForge**, version **21.1.230**.
5. Click **OK**.

Then give it enough memory: right-click the instance → **Edit → Settings →
Java** → tick *Maximum memory allocation* → set **6144–8192 MB**.

## 4. Connect the auto-updating pack (packwiz)

1. Download **`packwiz-installer-bootstrap.jar`** from
   https://github.com/packwiz/packwiz-installer-bootstrap/releases (the single
   `.jar` asset).
2. Right-click the instance → **Edit → Open Folder**. Open the **`minecraft`**
   subfolder and drop `packwiz-installer-bootstrap.jar` inside it.
3. Back in **Edit → Settings → Custom commands**, tick *Custom commands* and set
   the **Pre-launch command** to:

   ```
   "$INST_JAVA" -jar packwiz-installer-bootstrap.jar -g -s client https://files.boreal-mulley.ts.net/captains-modlist/pack.toml
   ```

   (LAN players: swap in the `http://192.168.0.101:8087/...` URL.)

That's it. The `-s client` flag tells it to install the client-side mod set.

## 5. First launch

Hit **Launch**. On the first run it downloads everything (~2 GB of mods +
resourcepacks straight from CurseForge/Modrinth) — this can take several
minutes. When it finishes downloading it boots straight into the game.

## 6. Updating later

**Just launch the instance.** The pre-launch step checks the pack each time and
downloads only what changed. You never reinstall.

---

## Troubleshooting

- **"Failed to download" / hangs at pre-launch:** check the Pack URL opens in a
  browser. If using the public `files.boreal-mulley.ts.net` URL and it fails,
  the host's public access may be off — use the LAN URL, or ask Captain.
- **Game crashes on first load after an update:** a mod may have updated; launch
  again (the updater sometimes needs a second pass), or report it.
- **Want to keep a personal mod?** Don't put it in `mods/` — the updater removes
  untracked files there. Ask about a separate unmanaged folder.
- **Reset to a clean pack state:** delete the instance's `minecraft/mods`,
  `config` is overwritten on launch anyway, then launch to re-sync.

## Server admins

Run the same bootstrap on the server with **`-s server`** instead of
`-s client`. That installs the `both` + `server` mods and skips the 94
client-only ones (shaders, sound mods, HUDs, etc.):

```
"$INST_JAVA" -jar packwiz-installer-bootstrap.jar -g -s server https://files.boreal-mulley.ts.net/captains-modlist/pack.toml
```