How to clone builds in Minecraft

Minecraft has become the top-selling game of all time due to its extensive selection of blocks with various colors and textures, allowing players to have limitless building possibilities. The community has continuously expressed their creativity through mods, map art, redstone creations, and other means over the years.

Given the significant role building plays in defining the game, it should come as no surprise that Minecraft’s most valuable console commands are specifically designed to simplify construction. An excellent illustration of this is the clone command, which is explained below and allows players to effortlessly duplicate and transfer builds.

How to Duplicate Minecraft Builds using the Clone Command

1) Identify a build or structure to replicate

Basic natural structures are a good choice for testing the clone command (Image via Mojang)

To start, your first task will be to locate a suitable structure to copy. It is advisable to select a random structure or village house for your initial attempts. This will help prevent any potential accidents from ruining a custom build. While the clone command typically prevents source blocks from being overwritten, it is better to not have to rely on this precautionary measure from the start.

A village would be an ideal location to test the clone command, providing players with an opportunity to explore upcoming Minecraft 1.21 content. The latest snapshots include a cartographer trade that leads directly to upcoming trial chambers, making it the perfect time for players to experiment and have fun.

2) Choose the initial corner

Finding the lowest starting position is recommended, but not required (Image via Mojang)

First, you should locate the initial corner that will be used in the clone command. You will eventually require three sets of coordinates. The first set should have the lowest values for X, Y, and Z. This is the starting point for the clone command, therefore identifying this corner beforehand will ensure accurate control over the output orientation.

To find the lowest coordinate, use the always helpful f3 menu in Minecraft Java or the toggleable coordinate option on Bedrock. Next, select the block with the cursor and enter chat. Before providing the coordinates, type “/clone “into the chat.

3) Choose the second corner

Use temporary blocks to help set the opposing corner if needed (Image via Mojang)

Next, navigate to the opposite corner of the structure in 3d space. Complete the previously given command by adding the coordinates of this second block in Minecraft. From here, the only remaining coordinates required are those of the desired clone destination.

4) Copy and paste the build

Getting the orientation of the final paste is the hardest part of using the clone command (Image via Mojang)

The process for setting the command is similar. Simply insert a third set of coordinates to this incomplete Minecraft command, which will indicate the lowest X, Y, and Z coordinates of the new destination. This will copy the build to the specified location.

Remember that when using the clone command, it will always begin copying a build from the lowest set of X, Y, and Z coordinates, rather than the first set selected. This could potentially cause the build to clone itself in an unintended orientation. However, if you followed the earlier recommendation and identified the corner with the lowest coordinates, this should already be taken into consideration.