Creating mods #
Luanti has a scripting API which is used to program games and mods, allowing creators to create new experiences or extend existing ones with mods. The API is accessed using Lua, an easy-to-use programming language. Version 5.1 of Lua is used, but many people run LuaJIT for greater performance. The only thing you will need is basic programming knowledge.
The official Luanti Lua API reference can be found at api.luanti.org, with guides hosted in the API section of this site.
Modding tutorials #
The best way to create your first Luanti mod or game is with the Luanti Modding Book by rubenwardy with editing by Shara.
Games use the same system as mods, and can be thought of as simply a collection of mods. See the Games chapter of the Luanti Modding Book for more details.
Recommended tools #
Here are some useful tools that most modders use when making Luanti mods:
- Visual Studio Code/VSCodium, a powerful code editor. We’ve also published Minetest Tools, an extension for Luanti code completion available on Visual Studio Marketplace and Open VSX Registry.
- luacheck, a static analysis tool for Lua. See the luacheck chapter of the Luanti Modding Book for more information on how to use it with Luanti.