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CurseForge on a Mac: every modpack is a complete copy of Minecraft, worlds included

Each CurseForge instance keeps its own mods, worlds, logs and resource packs. How to see which instances are large, and remove them without losing a world.

5 min read

Every modpack you install in CurseForge gets its own instance folder, with its own copy of every mod, config, resource pack and world. CurseForge's modding folder on a Mac defaults to ~/Documents/curseforge/minecraft. The shared game files are stored once, but instances are not, so ten modpacks tried once each are ten separate folders.

Measure it

cd ~/Documents/curseforge/minecraft
du -sh Instances/* 2>/dev/null | sort -h
du -sh Install 2>/dev/null

If you moved it, CurseForge shows the location under Settings, Minecraft, Minecraft Modding Folder.

Inside a large instance

FolderWhat it isSafe to clear?
savesYour worldsNo, back them up first
mods, configThe modpack itselfOnly by removing the instance
resourcepacks, shaderpacksPacks you addedRemove ones you do not use
logs, crash-reportsLogsYes
screenshotsYour screenshotsCopy out what you want

Removing an instance without losing worlds

  1. Copy each world you want to keep from the instance's saves folder to somewhere safe.
  2. In CurseForge, open the instance's menu and choose to delete it, so the app's list stays correct.
  3. Check the folder is gone from Instances.

Shader packs and high resolution resource packs are the other common surprise: a single pack can be larger than all the mods in a pack.

For vanilla Minecraft's own folders, see Minecraft taking up space, and for other games, game launchers.

Common questions

Where does CurseForge store modpacks on a Mac?

By default in ~/Documents/curseforge/minecraft/Instances. The current location is in CurseForge's Settings, Minecraft, Minecraft Modding Folder.

Does deleting a CurseForge modpack delete my worlds?

Yes. Worlds are stored inside each instance's saves folder. Copy them somewhere safe before deleting the instance.

Why are CurseForge instances so large?

Each one has its own copy of every mod, config, resource pack, shader pack and world. Shader and high resolution resource packs are often the largest part.

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