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+# How to update the Minecraft version
+
+Use this procedure when updating Box to a new Minecraft/Paper version.
+
+## 1. Set the target version
+
+Determine:
+
+- previous and target Minecraft versions;
+- a compatible Paper API version;
+- the target Minecraft data version.
+
+Update `gradle/libs.versions.toml` if Renovate has not already updated Paper, then run:
+
+```shell
+./gradlew build
+```
+
+Fix any Paper/Bukkit API incompatibilities before continuing.
+
+## 2. Generate item data
+
+Update `data-generator/build.gradle.kts`:
+
+```kotlin
+val previousMinecraftVersion = "<previous>"
+val minecraftVersion = "<target>"
+```
+
+`previousMinecraftVersion` must have a committed file at:
+
+```text
+data-generator/src/main/resources/generated/items/<previous>.txt
+```
+
+Run:
+
+```shell
+./gradlew :box-data-generator:runServer
+```
+
+`runServer` must stop automatically after generation. Its outputs are:
+
+```text
+data-generator/build/resources/generated-data/<target>.txt
+data-generator/build/resources/generated-data/<target>-new-items.txt
+data-generator/build/resources/generated-data/<target>-uncategorized-items.txt
+```
+
+If the generator cannot run locally, create a temporary GitHub Actions workflow that runs the same task, verifies these files, and uploads the generated directory as an artifact. Remove the workflow after verification. A timeout is a failure safeguard, not a successful substitute for normal auto-stop.
+
+## 3. Update `MCDataVersion`
+
+Every Minecraft version supported by Box must have a constant in:
+
+```text
+api/src/main/java/net/okocraft/box/api/util/MCDataVersion.java
+```
+
+Add the target version in chronological order using the data version confirmed from the target runtime or another authoritative source:
+
+```java
+public static final MCDataVersion MC_<version> = new MCDataVersion(<data-version>);
+```
+
+Also check versions between the previous and target versions and fill any missing constants for versions Box already supports.
+
+For reference, Minecraft 26.2 and 26.3 use 4903 and 5023 respectively. These are examples only; determine the correct data version for every future update.
+
+This step is independent of item renames. Do not update `RenamedItems.VERSIONS` or rename resources unless identifiers actually changed.
+
+## 4. Commit the generated list and handle renames
+
+Copy:
+
+```text
+data-generator/build/resources/generated-data/<target>.txt
+```
+
+to:
+
+```text
+data-generator/src/main/resources/generated/items/<target>.txt
+```
+
+Compare the previous and target complete lists. Investigate every removed identifier.
+
+If an identifier was renamed:
+
+1. add `item-provider/src/main/resources/<data-version>.txt` with `OLD_NAME:NEW_NAME` mappings;
+2. register the corresponding `MCDataVersion` constant in `RenamedItems.VERSIONS`;
+3. update affected categories as `OLD_NAME;<data-version>:NEW_NAME`;
+4. rerun the generator and confirm the renamed item is not reported as new.
+
+Do not modify rename resources or `RenamedItems.VERSIONS` when there are no identifier renames.
+
+## 5. Categorize new items
+
+Use `<target>-new-items.txt` and `<target>-uncategorized-items.txt` to update:
+
+```text
+features/category/src/main/resources/default_categories.yml
+```
+
+New items must use the target data version:
+
+```yaml
+  - <data-version>:<ITEM_NAME>
+```
+
+Classify from existing Box categories, similar item families, and official Minecraft change information. If these provide a defensible classification, complete and verify it; ask only when they do not. Items that should not be available normally belong in `unavailable`.
+
+Keep each item near related existing entries instead of appending all new items at the category end. Follow the category's existing ordering, for example by wood family, shape/type, base item, or related plants.
+
+If a genuinely new category is needed, also update:
+
+```text
+features/category/src/main/java/net/okocraft/box/feature/category/internal/category/defaults/DefaultCategories.java
+```
+
+After ordering changes, the set of `(category, data-version, item)` tuples for the new items must be unchanged.
+
+Rerun the generator. `<target>-uncategorized-items.txt` must be empty.
+
+## 6. Verify
+
+Run:
+
+```shell
+./gradlew :box-data-generator:runServer
+./gradlew build
+```
+
+Confirm:
+
+- `runServer` exits normally;
+- the uncategorized file is empty;
+- the new-items file contains only genuinely new identifiers;
+- the generated `<target>.txt` exactly matches the committed file;
+- every removed identifier is explained or migrated;
+- `MCDataVersion` contains the target and any missing intermediate supported versions;
+- rename resources and `RenamedItems.VERSIONS` are updated only when renames exist;
+- category ordering did not change item count, category, or data-version guards;
+- tests pass and any temporary workflow is removed.