FAQ
This is a collection of some frequently asked questions about Minetest. For technical problems, refer to Troubleshooting.
General
Where can I ask questions?
In IRC and the Forum. It is recommended to search the archives, most questions were probably answered before.
How to install mods and texture packs?
See Installing Mods and Texture Packs.
What are the different game modes and how do I install them?
On a new install you should have “Minetest [minetest_game]” that is the main game, if you don't have it download it form github. “Minimal development test” is just for developers and is not intended to be playable. You can find several other game modes in the forum. To install them extract the pack and rename the folder to the name of the game (e.g. “minetest_game-master” to “minetest_game”), then copy the folder to the games folder.
How do I update Minetest?
The easiest way is just to download the newest version and move your worlds and mods to the new version. Depending on you operating system there are other ways too. When using git you can clone the repository and pull and compile every time you want to update.
How do I get the multiplayer account?
There is no globally valid multiplayer account in Minetest. For each server you can use a different name and password. The “account” is created at first login. This way only you can access your player and inventory on that particular server. Also you can always play offline with no need for any login.
Servers
How do I use command XYZ?
See Server commands.
Gameplay
General
How big is the map?
As of 0.4.7, the map is a cube with a side length of 61840 node lengths. The map has thus a volume equal to the volume of 618403 nodes = 236,487,637,504,000 nodes. The coordinates range from −30912 to 30927 in all dimensions.
See also Coordinates.
How to find my house again?
Minetest automatically generates a file called “debug.txt” in minetest/bin where you can see lots of text. Scroll down to its end and look for something like
singleplayer digs node * […]
Try to teleport to the positions you see in these lines until you find your home:
/teleport x,y,z
see also: Server commands#Player actions
The screen is too dark, how to make it brighter?
There currently is no easy solution apart from changing monitor settings, you will have to edit a text file. This only works with shaders enabled. Open (Minetest directory)/client/shaders/solids_shader/opengl_vertex.glsl with a text editor, go near the end of the file, change these lines:
color.r = clamp(rg,0.0,1.0); color.g = clamp(rg,0.0,1.0); color.b = clamp(b,0.0,1.0);
to:
color.r = clamp(rg,0.4,1.0); color.g = clamp(rg,0.4,1.0); color.b = clamp(b,0.4,1.0);
You can try other values instead of 0.4, the higher the brighter.
Vanilla Minetest game
How to craft XYZ?
See Crafting. Or install a craft guide.
Are there any mobs?
No. Is is unlikely that they get added in the near future. But there are mods to add mobs.
Why don’t I find any dungeons/jungles?
They are disabled by default. You can enable them by adding “v6_jungles, dungeons” to mg_flags in you minetest.conf. That will enable them for new worlds. Try digging down or looking for large holes in the ground.
How do I open or close doors?
You need to right click instead of left click to open doors as of 0.4.5.
For Minecraft players
Is there a crafting bench?
In the vanilla Minetest game: No. You don’t need one. You already have a 3×3 crafting grid in your inventory menu (→Crafting#Crafting_grid_and_output_slot).
How can I make Minetest be like Minecraft?
You can use the Minitest game.
Technical problems
I have a technical problem, how to fix this?
See Troubleshooting.