Some performance about download with bad network

[HowXu]

Role

User and Developer

Suggestion

below

Benefit

below

This suggestion is unique

• I have searched the issue tracker and did not find an issue describing my suggestion, especially not one that has been rejected.

You may use the editor below to elaborate further.

I'm a user from mainland China and frequently experience network instability. I'm also a contributor (you can find me on the FreesmLauncher website), I'd like to submit a PR to address several pain points, but I'd like to discuss approaches first.

Issues I've encountered:

1. Mod download cancellation leaves dangling config entries

   • When a download fails or is cancelled, a config entry remains.
   • On next launch, the download retries automatically and fails again.
   • The only workaround is to manually delete the entry; otherwise you cannot launch.

2. MSA authentication failures are not user‑friendly

   • Network timeouts during auth steps show no error dialog.
   • The log only says Java is version xxx, using 64 (amd64) architecture, from xxx, Inc......
   • Users must force‑quit (or kill the process) and retry.

3. Modpack installation restarts from scratch on network errors

   • A glitch near the end discards all previously downloaded files.
   • This forces a full 20+ min redownload.

Proposed improvements: retry with exponential backoff, better state persistence, and clear error feedback.

Before I open a PR, I'd appreciate any thoughts or existing plans. Thanks!

[notwindstone]

thank you!
however, we think that it might be better to add this directly to Prism Launcher

[HowXu]

thank you! however, we think that it might be better to add this directly to Prism Launcher

@notwindstone I'll open an issue on Prism as you suggested. But personally, I think these UX improvements fit better in Freesm ("Better Prism") than in upstream, since they're more opinionated. Let's see what Prism says, but I'm leaning toward implementing them here.

[notwindstone]

sure. if they reject your proposal, we will be happy to accept your improvements :3

[HowXu]

@notwindstone thanks! :)

The issue here PrismLauncher/PrismLauncher#5788

If it's been long without reply, I'll do it here too

[s0me1newithhand7s]

If it's been long without reply, I'll do it here too

as PL's fork we believe that addressing launcher-side issues that might affect upstream code in PL source code is better

[kaeeraa]

thank you! however, we think that it might be better to add this directly to Prism Launcher

its never better to propose it to prismlauncher...
they need it — they take it

[s0me1newithhand7s]

mb sosisich could do an option for gc, but ig it's could be too much to ask if perf isn't significant

[kaeeraa]

mb sosisich could do an option for gc, but ig it's could be too much to ask if perf isn't significant

thats qol not perf improvement

also instead of gc theres should be ui logging and proper cache system