Linear is a NeoForge mod that replaces Minecraft's standard Anvil (.mca) region file format with the .linear format, designed for superior compression and optimized I/O patterns.
Linear provides two distinct builds to cover different NeoForge lifecycles:
| Build Target | Minecraft / NeoForge | Required Java | Filename Pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legacy | 1.21.x (1.21.1 – 1.21.11) | Java 21 | linear-1.21.1-1.3.3+legacy.jar |
| Modern | 26.x+ (Experimental) | Java 25 | linear-26.1.2-1.3.3+modern.jar |
⚠️ IMPORTANTMake sure you download the correct JAR for your Minecraft version. The 26.x build will not launch on older versions of Minecraft.
Linear improves upon the standard Anvil format by redesigning how region data is compressed and written to disk.
Traditional Anvil storage (.mca) compresses each chunk individually using Zlib or Gzip. Linear instead compresses the entire 32x32 chunk region as a single block using Zstandard.
- Cross-Chunk Optimization: By compressing the whole region, Zstd can find recurring data patterns across chunk boundaries, leading to significantly better compression ratios than per-chunk methods.
- Configurable Levels: Users can tune the compression level to balance CPU usage and disk space savings.
Minecraft's Anvil format performs incremental, per-chunk writes. This results in numerous small, random I/O operations which can be inefficient on many storage types, especially under heavy load.
- Sequential Writes: Linear writes the entire region as one contiguous file. This allows the operating system and storage hardware to handle the save operation as a single sequential write, reducing overhead and improving consistency.
- Simplified File Structure: Linear eliminates the need for
.mccfiles (used by Anvil for chunks exceeding 1MB), keeping world data contained within a consistent region-to-file mapping.
This mod is in early development. While it has been tested, it modifies core world storage logic. Always keep backups of your world. The conversion from Anvil to Linear is automatic, but reversing it requires keeping a backup of your old world files.
For detailed information on installation, configuration, commands, and technical architecture, please refer to the WIKI.md.
This mod was developed with the assistance of Antigravity (Google DeepMind), which handled the entirety of the code writing and porting logic. While the implementation was generated by AI, all functionality has been manually tested across all supported versions to ensure stability and world integrity.
If you encounter any bugs, crashes, or data inconsistencies, please report them via the GitHub Issues page.
- Based on the original LinearReader mod by Bugfunbug.
- The
.linearfile format was designed by xymb-endcrystalme.
Linear is released under the MIT License.