Installing Modpacks

Modpacks bundle dozens or even hundreds of mods together into a curated experience. Witchly makes installing modpacks easy with our 1-click modpack installer on Reactor and Mainframe plans, or you can install them manually via SFTP.

1-Click Modpack Installer

Available on all paid plans (The Construct, The Reactor, and The Mainframe), the 1-click installer lets you set up popular modpacks in minutes with no manual file management. The Reactor and Mainframe plans also include Pro Modpack Tools for advanced configuration.

How to Use the 1-Click Installer

1. Log in to your dashboard at Dashboard.
2. Select your Minecraft server.
3. Stop your server if it is running.
4. Navigate to the Modpacks section.
5. Browse or search for your desired modpack from the CurseForge catalog.
6. Select the modpack version you want to install.
7. Click Install.
8. The installer will download all required files, configure the server software (Forge or Fabric), and set up the modpack automatically.
9. Start your server once the installation is complete.

The 1-click installer handles everything: downloading the correct mod loader version, installing all mods, and applying the server-side configuration. Your server will be ready to play within a few minutes depending on the modpack size.

Manual Installation via SFTP

If you prefer to install modpacks manually or want full control over the process, follow these steps:

Step 1: Download the Server Pack

1. Go to CurseForge or Modrinth and find your modpack.
2. Look for the Server Pack download. This is different from the client download — it contains only the server-side files.
3. If no server pack is available, you can download the client pack and extract the server-relevant files (the mods folder, server configs, and any scripts).

Step 2: Prepare Your Server

1. Log in to Dashboard and select your server.
2. Stop your server.
3. Make sure your server is running the correct mod loader (Forge or Fabric) and Minecraft version to match the modpack requirements. See Changing Server Version if you need to switch.
4. Back up any existing files you want to keep.

Step 3: Upload the Files

1. Connect to your server via SFTP on port 2022 using FileZilla or WinSCP.
2. Extract the server pack on your computer.
3. Upload the contents to your server’s root directory. This typically includes:
   • The mods folder (containing all mod .jar files)
   • The config folder (mod configuration files)
   • Any startup scripts or additional configuration files
4. If the modpack includes a server.properties file, you may want to merge its settings with your existing file rather than overwriting it entirely.

Step 4: Start Your Server

1. Go back to your dashboard.
2. Start the server and watch the console for any errors during startup.
3. The first launch with a modpack usually takes longer as mods initialize and generate configuration files.

Popular Modpacks and RAM Recommendations

Here are some popular modpacks and the minimum RAM we recommend:

Modpack	Mod Loader	Recommended RAM	Recommended Plan
All the Mods 9 (ATM9)	Forge	10-12GB	The Mainframe (16GB)
Better MC	Fabric/Forge	6-8GB	The Reactor (8GB)
RLCraft	Forge	6-8GB	The Reactor (8GB)
Create: Above and Beyond	Forge	8-10GB	The Reactor (8GB) or Mainframe
Vault Hunters	Forge	8-10GB	The Reactor (8GB) or Mainframe
Cobblemon	Fabric	6-8GB	The Reactor (8GB)
All of Fabric (AOF)	Fabric	6-8GB	The Reactor (8GB)
FTB Presents Direwolf20	Forge	8-10GB	The Reactor (8GB) or Mainframe
Prominence II	Forge	8-10GB	The Reactor (8GB) or Mainframe

Heavy modpacks (200+ mods) like ATM9 benefit significantly from 16GB of RAM. If players experience lag or the server runs out of memory, consider upgrading your plan.

Updating a Modpack

When a new version of your modpack is released:

Using the 1-Click Installer

1. Stop your server.
2. Back up your world folder.
3. Go to the Modpacks section and select the new version.
4. Install it. The installer will update the mods while preserving your world data.
5. Start the server and verify everything works.

Manual Update

1. Stop your server.
2. Back up your entire server (especially the world folder).
3. Download the new server pack.
4. Delete the existing mods folder on the server.
5. Upload the new mods folder and any updated config files.
6. Start the server and check the console for errors.

Never update mods individually in a modpack unless you know what you are doing. Modpacks are curated with specific mod versions that are tested together. Updating one mod independently can cause crashes or incompatibilities.

Client-Side Setup

Players need the modpack installed on their own Minecraft client to join a modded server. Recommended launchers:

• CurseForge App — Easiest for CurseForge modpacks. One-click install.
• Prism Launcher — Open-source, supports CurseForge and Modrinth packs.
• ATLauncher — Supports multiple pack sources with a simple interface.
• Modrinth App — Clean launcher for Modrinth-hosted packs.

Make sure the client and server are running the exact same modpack version to avoid connection issues.

Troubleshooting Modpack Issues

• Server crashes on startup: Check the console logs for error messages. The most common cause is insufficient RAM. Consider upgrading your plan.
• Mod version mismatch: Ensure the client and server modpack versions match exactly.
• Missing mods: Some modpacks separate client-only and server-only mods. The server pack should only contain server-compatible mods.
• Slow startup: Large modpacks can take 3-5 minutes to start. This is normal. Do not restart the server during this time.

For additional help, join our Discord.