Xol documentation¶
Xol is a desktop launcher and an in-game client for Minecraft: Java Edition 1.8.9 and 1.7.10. The launcher installs the game from Mojang's servers, signs you in through Microsoft in your own browser, and keeps your game files in their own folder. The client adds a HUD you arrange yourself, a settings menu on Right Shift and a new look for the game's menus. It does not change movement, combat or reach.
Current status¶
Xol is in closed development. These pages describe the current release, including what has not been tested yet.
- Availability Builds are invite-only. There is no public download. To ask for a tester slot, write to contact@xol.dev and name your operating system.
- Installers Windows x64, macOS Apple Silicon and macOS Intel. The builds are not signed with an Apple Developer ID or a Windows code-signing certificate, so macOS shows its Gatekeeper prompt once and Windows shows SmartScreen. See Install on macOS and Install on Windows. There is no Linux build.
- Microsoft sign-in Built, and waiting for Mojang to approve Xol's application ID. Until then, sign-in stops at the last step with a message that Mojang has to approve the ID first, and the launcher cannot start the game with a Microsoft account. See Sign-in and accounts.
- Testing so far Installing, launching and joining a server were checked on Linux without a graphics card. Xol has been lightly tested on an Apple Silicon Mac. It has not been tested on Windows or on an Intel Mac. The full picture is in Supported versions.
- Versions Xol 0.3.1, released on September 21, 2026, is the current release. The launcher and the client carry the same version number. See the changelog.
What Xol is¶
- A launcher for older versions. Minecraft 1.8.9 and 1.7.10 need Java 8 and an old Forge. Xol downloads the Java runtime Mojang ships for those versions, installs Forge from a pinned installer, and checks every file against a published checksum before using it.
- One profile per version. Xol 1.8.9 and Xol 1.7.10 each have one profile. OptiFine and your own Forge mods are add-ons you switch on or off on the main screen. Your server list, key binds and client settings are shared between the two versions.
- An in-game client. HUD modules such as an FPS counter, coordinates, keystrokes and armor status, plus display options for the camera, the world and the game's own HUD. Right Shift opens the menu, and the HUD editor places everything on screen.
What Xol is not¶
- Not a cheat client. Xol does not change movement, combat, reach or interaction timing. The rule each module is reviewed against is on Multiplayer and fair play.
- Not approved by any server. Xol reports its own name to servers, but a server may ban any modified client. Check the rules of the server you play on.
- Not a copy of the game. You need your own Minecraft: Java Edition license. Xol checks that the signed-in account owns the game before it launches anything.
- Not an official Minecraft product. Xol is an independent project. It is not approved by or associated with Mojang or Microsoft.
Where to start¶
Get started¶
Requirements, installing on macOS and Windows, the first launch, and what is downloaded from where.
The launcher¶
Profiles and add-ons, performance presets, launch options, instances, accounts and notices.
The client¶
The Right Shift menu, the HUD editor, layouts, and a page for each module with its settings.
OptiFine¶
Why Xol cannot include it, how one download covers every start after that, and every message the check can give.
Sign-in and accounts¶
The Microsoft sign-in step by step, what is stored, and every sign-in error.
Privacy and data¶
What is sent where and when. Crash reports are off until you switch them on.
Multiplayer and fair play¶
The client brand, what servers can see, and the review table for every module.
Troubleshooting¶
Organized by symptom: installing, launching, signing in, updates and OptiFine.
Contact¶
Questions and security reports go to contact@xol.dev. The product page is launcher.xol.dev, and the project's home is xol.dev.