After a very long time in development, we're ready to start snapshots for Minecraft Java Edition: 1.13! 1.13 will be a technical improvement update, intending to both make the game run better for users, and to make it easier for us to add new things in the future. Do not expect any new gameplay features or mechanics in 1.13, as we are trying to stick to improving the game engine for this update.
A full changelog can be found on Minecraft.net, which includes implementation details for Data Packs.
LWJGL 3 We've finally updated to use the newest version of LWJGL. This fixed a lot of long-standing bugs on Mac OS and Linux, and should make for a much more stable playing experience.
Data Packs A data pack can either be a zip file or directory inside <world>/packs/. If you get a data pack from a friend or the internet, we typically expect that it will just be a zip file. Put it inside the packs/ folder and it will be automatically installed.
To get snapshots, open your launcher and go to the "launch options" tab. Check the box saying "Enable snapshots" and save. To switch between the snapshot and normal version, you can find a new dropdown menu next to the "Play" button. Back up your world first or run the game on in a different folder (In the "launch options" page).
Please report any and all bugs you find in Minecraft to bugs.mojang.com.
Snapshots can corrupt your world, please backup and/or run them in a different folder from your main worlds. 1.13 will have a lot of experimental snapshots that may break everything and smell funny. This may be one of those snapshots. This is what happens when Mojang are changing all the things!
Share your thoughts on how 1.13 is shaping up in the comments below!