CurseForge

CurseForge is a mod hosting platforms, best known for its deep roots in the Minecraft and World of Warcraft modding communities.

How It Works

CurseForge provides a REST API (CurseForge Core API) for managing mods programmatically. Server-side mod management follows the same general pattern as other platforms:

Query the API for available mods for your game
Download mod files from CurseForge’s CDN
Extract and install into the server’s mods directory
Load mods at server startup

API Access

The CurseForge Core API requires an API key, available through the CurseForge developer portal. The API supports:

Searching mods: By game, category, sort order, version compatibility
Getting mod details: File list, dependencies, changelog, version history
Downloading files: Direct download URLs for mod files
Checking for updates: Fingerprint-based file matching to detect installed versions

Modpack Support

CurseForge has strong support for modpacks (curated collections of mods with specific versions). This is valuable for servers because:

Server admins can install an entire modpack with defined, tested mod versions
Modpack authors maintain compatibility between mods
Version pinning is built in (each modpack version specifies exact mod versions)

Hosting platforms can use the API to install modpacks and keep them updated when the modpack author releases new versions.

Version Management

Unlike Steam Workshop, CurseForge retains previous versions of mods. This means:

Servers can install a specific older version if needed
Modpacks can pin exact versions for stability
Rolling back a broken mod update is straightforward