Horizon Launcher
Horizon is an unofficial project that reimplements Minecraft: Java Edition 26.3 in Rust — installed through a small launcher, running on files from your own licensed copy of the game.
MinecraftRust engineFree / OSSUnofficial
What Horizon actually is
Not a mod loader — a from-scratch Rust engine reading your own Minecraft files.
- Reimplements Java Edition 26.3 in Rust — separate engine, no Mojang code shipped.
- Requires a real copy of Minecraft: Java 26.3 — Horizon builds its game data from your install, downloads nothing from Mojang itself.
- Free and open source; not affiliated with or approved by Mojang/Microsoft.
- Cannot sign into Microsoft accounts yet — no account-checked servers for now.
Install (desktop)
- Install official Minecraft: Java 26.3 and launch it once.
- Download the launcher build for your OS from the project's site/GitHub releases.
- Run horizon-launcher — it locates your game files and prepares once with Java.
- Worlds from 1.8–26.2 upgrade the vanilla way on first open.
Horizon minecraft mods
Horizon has its own mod system — Java mods do not run.
- Content mods (.hmod) — data-driven blocks/items/recipes.
- Native mods (.hnmod) — Rust code: Zoom, FPS counter, minimap, keystrokes ship built-in.
- Forge/Fabric/Quilt jars and Mixins are not compatible — the launcher can port some Java mods' content into its format.
- Distant Horizons LOD terrain already exists as a native port.
FAQ
Is Horizon launcher safe?
It is open source and only reads your local Minecraft files — still, download only from the official site/repo.
Does Horizon need a Minecraft account?
You need a legit Java 26.3 install to build from; online login features are still in progress.
Do normal Minecraft mods work?
No — only Horizon-native .hmod/.hnmod mods; some Java mods get ported.