Guides / How to make Minecraft add-ons for Bedrock
How to make Minecraft add-ons for Bedrock
Learn how to create Minecraft Bedrock add-ons with custom items, blocks, and mobs, then export a playable .mcaddon file.
8 minute read
What a Minecraft add-on actually is
On Minecraft Bedrock Edition (Windows, iOS, Android, consoles, and realms), add-ons are packaged resource packs and behavior packs. Together they change how the game looks and how it plays — custom swords, glowing blocks, new foods, even new mobs.
A .mcaddon file is simply a zip archive that contains both packs plus manifest.json files Minecraft can import. You do not need Java Edition, Forge, Fabric, or a PC-only launcher.
Build visually, then export real JSON
Blocksmith Studio lets you paint 16×16 item and block textures, set damage, nutrition, light emission, and crafting grids, then download a valid .mcaddon. Under the hood the exporter writes Bedrock 1.21 item, block, entity, and recipe JSON plus item_texture.json and terrain_texture.json.
Start from a template (tools, food, blocks, or a companion mob), name the pack, and keep the namespace unique so your identifiers never collide with vanilla minecraft: items.
Test in the game
Import the .mcaddon, enable the pack on a world (Settings → Resource Packs and Behavior Packs), then /give yourself the custom identifier or find it in the creative inventory. If textures are missing, confirm both packs are active and the world was fully reloaded.