Java Edition 1.13

1.13 is an upcoming major update with no set release date. It will focus mainly on bug fixes, technical features, retexturing, and optimisation towards 1.14.

Planned additions

 * Commands
 * A command syntax highlighter in chat.
 * An argument in target selectors.


 * Data packs
 * Like resource packs, but for loot tables, advancements, functions, etc.
 * Can be changed from world to server side.
 * Used by placing them into the world or server file, and it is also possible to use multiple data packs, or none at all.
 * Data packs are  files or folders with a   in the root. See: Tutorials/Creating a resource pack#pack.mcmeta
 * Structures will load from  before checking data packs.
 * However, this directory should not be used to distribute structures. Instead, move these files into data packs.

General

 * Block metadata
 * Numeric block metadata completely phased out in favor of block states.


 * Crafting
 * Customizable crafting recipes.
 * Originally planned to be added in 1.12.


 * Block ID
 * Expansion of the block ID limit past 256.


 * Functions
 * Functions will be completely parsed and cached on load.
 * This means if a command is incorrect for any reason, the player will know about it on load.


 * Structures
 * Structures stored in the world file will need a namespace.
 * The default namespace is always, which will likely cause conflicts in future updates.
 * Structures are saved to.


 * The "flattening"
 * The damage value parameter in, and  will be removed.
 * Damage values will be moved to a  tag, used only by tools, weapons, and armor.
 * For instance, will become
 * Blocks currently separated by variant, type, and color block states will be split into their own ids. (for example  will become  .)
 * Removing the block entity for flower pots, mob heads (except player heads) and note blocks.


 * World Files
 * The following files will need to be moved into a data pack:
 * will need to be moved to
 * will need to be moved to
 * will need to be moved to
 * will need to be moved to
 * Functions, advancements, structures and loot tables will be only allowed to be lowercase filenames.

Commands

 * Commands
 * Better error messages.
 * Applies to functions as well.
 * Commands and functions will be much faster and more efficient.
 * Most commands are now more case-sensitive. Lowercase is preferable wherever possible.
 * For example, this is no longer allowed:
 * A new layout for defining block states and NBT.
 * Wherever a,   and optionally   was required, it's now a single "block" argument that looks like this:
 * ID is required (though just as before, if namespace isn't set it defaults to )
 * States are inside [], comma-separated and must be properties/values supported by the blocks. They are optional.
 * is a syntax error, because stone doesn't have
 * is a syntax error, because redstone_wire's  is a number between 0 and 15
 * NBT tag is inside {}, and works just like you'd expect. It's optional.
 * In the context of "conditions"/testing for blocks, only the states you provided will be tested.
 * If you test, it only checks   but ignores other states such as.
 * In the context of setting blocks, any states you provided will be set but anything missed out will default depending on the block.
 * If you set, it will set   to 15 but   will be a default value (in this case, set to  ).
 * There is no such thing as block data value in 1.13. It's either a different blocks, or a state.
 * and  arguments will be removed.
 * The syntax of has been split off, to avoid ambiguity.
 * will become
 * will become
 * The syntax of has been changed.
 * {{cmd|clone  filtered [force{{!}}move{{!}}normal] [ ] [  using the   (but doesn't change position).
 * {{cmd|at }} runs   using the position of   (but doesn't change entity).
 * {{cmd|offset }} runs   using the position of.
 * {{cmd|detect  }} runs   if   matches.
 * For example: {{cmd|execute @e ~ ~ ~ detect ~ ~ ~ stone say Stone!}} will become {{cmd|as @e at @s detect ~ ~ ~ stone say Stone!}}
 * {{cmd|gamemode}} and {{cmd|difficulty}} now only accept string IDs, not shorthand or numeric.
 * {{cmd|gamemode 2}} will have to be changed to {{cmd|gamemode adventure}}
 * {{cmd|gamemode sp}} will have to be changed to {{cmd|gamemode spectator}}
 * {{cmd|difficulty 2}} will have to be changed to {{cmd|difficulty normal}}
 * {{cmd|difficulty p}} will have to be changed to {{cmd|difficulty peaceful}}
 * {{cmd|scoreboard}} had  removed from its commands, as they're no longer needed.
 * "Usage" of the command will be displayed dynamically every time you hit the command.
 * {{cmd|gamerule}} no longer accepts unknown rules ("custom gamerules").
 * You can use functions or scoreboards as replacements, with no loss of functionality.
 * Existing custom gamerules will just not be accessible. Only built-in rules will be available.
 * "Usage" of the command will be displayed dynamically every time you hit the command.
 * {{cmd|gamerule}} no longer accepts unknown rules ("custom gamerules").
 * You can use functions or scoreboards as replacements, with no loss of functionality.
 * Existing custom gamerules will just not be accessible. Only built-in rules will be available.


 * Target selectors
 * More error handling has been introduced.
 * Things like,  ,   are not allowed.
 * ,,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,   are now doubles and allow values like
 * and  are no longer center-corrected.
 * This means  no longer equates to.
 * (game mode) no longer allows numerical IDs.
 * The  argument now supports spaces (as long as it's quoted)
 * Multiple of the same argument in target selectors is now possible.

Unconfirmed features

 * The ability to change biome dependent colors (such as foliage, water, and the sky) without needing mods.
 * The new "^" notation to use coordinates based on the rotations of entities.
 * The textures of some blocks, items, mobs, effects and GUIs will change.
 * New textures will be closely based on the originals, "with improved techniques and colors."
 * Recently-added blocks (such as glazed terracotta) will be not changed
 * Will first be released as a resource pack for feedback purposes.