Refract

A fast, open-source Minecraft launcher built with Tauri and React.

Organize instances, discover community content, manage Java, and launch Minecraft from one focused desktop app.

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Built around your Minecraft library

Instances that stay organized Create, group, duplicate, export, pin, search, and filter instances. Choose install locations and import existing MultiMC or Prism libraries.	Content without browser hopping Install mods, modpacks, shaders, resource packs, and datapacks from Modrinth or CurseForge. Sort, update, and save reusable mod profiles.
Player tools in context Manage worlds and backups, browse screenshots, track servers with live status, and control resources or shaders per instance.	Accounts and Java handled Use Microsoft, offline, or Yggdrasil accounts. Refract finds or downloads the right Java runtime and offers optional performance presets.

Refract also includes automatic updates, crash-report copying, customizable themes, Discord Rich Presence, and Java Edition license verification.

Download

Linux and macOS install script

curl -fsSL https://refractmc.net/install.sh | sh

Direct downloads

Platform	Package
Windows 10/11	Download .exe
macOS — Apple Silicon	Download ARM64 .dmg
macOS — Intel	Download Intel .dmg
Linux — AppImage	Download .AppImage
Linux — Debian/Ubuntu	Download .deb
Other packages	View the latest release

Note

macOS builds are currently unsigned. On first launch, right-click Refract, choose Open, and confirm the prompt.

Built with

The React renderer handles the launcher experience. Tauri and Rust provide the native shell, secure credential storage, downloads, file operations, and platform integration.

Build from source

Requirements

• Node.js 20 or newer
• pnpm 9 or newer
• Rust stable
• The Tauri prerequisites for your operating system

Windows packaging also requires WebView2 and the Microsoft C++ build tools.

Setup

git clone https://github.com/RefractMC/Refract_MC.git
cd Refract_MC
pnpm install
pnpm dev

Create a local unsigned build with:

pnpm build

See CONTRIBUTING.md for verification commands, signed builds, project conventions, and pull request guidelines.

Repository layout

• apps/renderer contains the shared React renderer.
• apps/tauri contains the Tauri shell and Rust backend.
• apps/electron-bridge migrates older Electron installs to Tauri.
• packages/core contains shared launcher logic.
• packages/plugin-api contains the public plugin API.
• locales contains translation files.

Translations

Refract keeps user-facing strings in locales. To add a language, copy locales/en.json, rename it with a BCP 47 language tag, translate the values, and keep every JSON key unchanged.

The translation guide explains locale registration, parameterized strings, validation, and pull request naming.

Community and support

• Report reproducible bugs through GitHub Issues.
• Join the Refract Discord for community help and project discussion.
• Read the security policy before reporting a vulnerability.
• Review the contribution guide before opening a pull request.

License

Refract is licensed under the GNU General Public License v3.0.