NetherLink(NLI)

0.1.0 beta

NetherLink has been almost completely rebuilt in this update. The mod is no longer a simple backport of Mojang's experimental friends and peer-to-peer online play APIs. It now uses a redesigned backend abstraction and can switch between supported link services, with NetherLink's own NLI API as the default service.

Most importantly, online play is available again. After Mojang temporarily removed or delayed the official peer-to-peer online play service, NetherLink now restores the connection flow through our own backend infrastructure and self-hosted coturn server.

Major changes

• Completely refactored the link service architecture.

  • Official Minecraft API support is now implemented as one LinkService.
  • NLI API v1 is implemented as the default LinkService.
  • Runtime, friends, hosting, joining, signaling, and settings are now separated behind common abstractions.

• Restored peer-to-peer online play.

  • NetherLink now uses our own NLI API and self-hosted coturn server for WebRTC traversal.
  • Friend-hosted worlds can once again be joined through NetherLink.
  • Improved signaling lifecycle, runtime reuse, and join-state handling.

• Added NLI API v1 integration.

  • Friend list, friend requests, friend settings, presence, hosting, and joining are now available through NLI.
  • NLI backend URL is configurable in config/netherlink/nli-v1.json.
  • General NetherLink settings are stored in config/netherlink/config.json.

• Reworked the Friends UI.

  • Added separate tabs for friends, friend requests, and settings.
  • Friends are sorted by joinability and online state.
  • Friend and request entries now show player avatars.
  • Friend instances can be viewed before joining.
  • Added API switching and friend network settings.

• Added service terms handling.

  • NLI terms are fetched from the backend and shown when needed.
  • Accepted NLI terms are stored with the NLI v1 configuration.
  • Accepting terms can also enable the friend network when required.

• Improved join feedback.

  • Added a NetherLink join screen that shows actual connection progress.
  • The screen reports request, acceptance, WebRTC negotiation, P2P handoff, and Minecraft login stages.
  • Join cancellation is handled more safely.

• Improved presence publishing.

  • Published instance names now prefer the configured instance name.
  • Integrated servers fall back to the current Minecraft window title.
  • Dedicated servers fall back to the server MOTD.

• Updated official API compatibility.

  • Official friends and presence flows have been synchronized with Minecraft 26.2 behavior.
  • Friend settings support has been added for the official service where available.
  • Legacy official service IDs are migrated automatically.

Notes

• This version changes much of the internal architecture. Existing behavior around friends and joining should be considered newly rebuilt rather than a small patch over the old implementation.
• If you previously configured NetherLink, check the new files under config/netherlink/.
• Connection quality depends on both peers' network environments, but coturn fallback should make joining much more reliable than direct-only P2P attempts.