Documentation

Everything you need to get SimHammer running and make the most of every feature. If you're stuck, the Discord server is the fastest place to get help.

Getting Started

SimHammer is a graphical frontend for SimulationCraft, the open-source WoW simulation engine. The SimC engine is bundled inside SimHammer — you don't need to install or configure it separately.

Installation

Download the installer for your platform from the Download page. No additional dependencies are needed.

1. 1

   Download the installer for your OS from the Download page. The SimC engine is bundled, so there is nothing else to install.

2. 2

   Run the installer. On macOS, drag SimHammer to your Applications folder. On Linux, make the AppImage executable: chmod +x SimHammer.AppImage.

3. 3

   Launch SimHammer. The app checks for updates on startup and prompts you to install them when available.

Your first sim

Once SimHammer is open, the fastest way to get started is with Quick Sim:

1. 1

   In WoW, type /simc and copy the entire output from the addon window.

2. 2

   Open SimHammer, click Quick Sim, and paste the string into the input box.

3. 3

   Click Run Simulation. Results appear in a few seconds.

Quick Sim

Quick Sim is the core SimHammer feature. Paste a SimulationCraft export string and get a complete DPS analysis — ability breakdown, DPS distribution, scaling stats — in a few seconds.

How to use it

1. 1

   In WoW, open the SimulationCraft addon and click Copy to Clipboard (or type /simc).

2. 2

   In SimHammer, go to Quick Sim and paste the string.

3. 3

   Adjust fight settings if needed (fight style, duration, target count) then click Run Simulation.

Fight settings

Before running, you can configure:

• Fight Style — Patchwerk (single-target), HecticAddCleave, LightMovement
• Fight Duration — Default 300s. Adjust for encounter length.
• Target Count — Number of enemies for AoE sims.
• Iterations — More iterations = more accurate but slower. Default 10,000.

Reading the results

After the sim finishes, you'll see your total DPS and a breakdown of each ability's contribution. The DPS range bar shows the statistical variance across all iterations. Results are saved to History automatically.

Top Gear

Top Gear scans your character's inventory — bags, bank, and vault — and sims gear combinations to find your highest-DPS setup. Expect it to take a few minutes depending on the number of items and iterations.

How to use it

1. 1

   Export your character from WoW using the SimC addon (/simc).

2. 2

   Go to Top Gear in SimHammer and paste the export.

3. 3

   Select which slots you want to optimize, then click Find Best Gear.

4. 4

   SimHammer runs simulations for every valid combination and returns a ranked list with your best-in-bag at the top.

Filtering options

• Lock specific slots to keep current items
• Include or exclude vault items
• Enable tier set bonus consideration
• Set a minimum item level threshold

Drop Finder

Drop Finder is a loot table browser. It sims which bosses, dungeons, and activities drop items that are actual upgrades for your spec — so you can plan a target list without cross-referencing Wowhead.

How to use it

1. 1

   Open Drop Finder in SimHammer.

2. 2

   Your current spec is auto-detected from the last SimC export. You can change it manually.

3. 3

   Browse by content type (Raid, Mythic+, World) or filter by slot and item level.

Available filters

• Content type: Raid, Dungeon, Mythic+, World
• Difficulty: LFR, Normal, Heroic, Mythic
• Gear slot: Head, Chest, Weapon, etc.
• Item level range
• Current patch only / all patches

Crest Upgrades

Crest Upgrades helps you spend Weathered, Carved, Runed, and Gilded Crests where they gain the most DPS. It scans your equipped gear, finds everything that can be upgraded, and sims the possible upgrade paths.

How to use it

1. 1

   Paste your SimC export. SimHammer reads your current gear and available crest currencies.

2. 2

   Review the list of upgradeable items. Each row shows the current item level, target item level, and crest cost.

3. 3

   Select the items you want to compare and click Sim Upgrades.

4. 4

   Results show which combination delivers the most DPS per crest spent.

Enchant & Gem

Enchant & Gem sims enchant and gem combinations across your gear. Rather than following a generic tier list, it runs the numbers for your specific stats and talents.

How to use it

1. 1

   Paste your SimC export. SimHammer resolves your equipped items and shows each enchantable slot.

2. 2

   For each gear slot, select the enchant options you want to compare.

3. 3

   Select the gem options to test across all socketed items.

4. 4

   Click Find Best Enchants. SimHammer sims the combinations and ranks them by DPS.

Tips

• Selecting more options gives more thorough results but increases sim time
• Gem selections apply to all sockets simultaneously
• Re-run after major gear changes — the best enchant can shift with your stats

History

Every Quick Sim and Top Gear result is saved automatically to History. You can revisit past sims, compare results side by side, and track DPS over time.

Features

• Automatic saving — no action required
• Search by date, fight style, or DPS range
• Side-by-side comparison of any two results
• DPS trend chart across all saved sims
• Export individual results as JSON

Self-Hosting with Docker

SimHammer can run as a web application on your own server using Docker. Useful for a home lab setup or a shared box for a group or guild.

Prerequisites

• Docker Engine 20.10 or later
• Docker Compose v2
• 2 GB RAM minimum (4 GB recommended for heavy use)
• Any Linux, macOS, or Windows host

Quick start

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/sortbek/simcraft
cd simcraft

# Copy and edit environment variables (optional)
cp .env.example .env

# Start SimHammer
docker compose up -d

SimHammer is now running at http://localhost:3000.

Environment variables

Edit .env to configure your instance:

# Port to expose (default: 3000)
PORT=3000

# Optional: restrict to specific network interface
HOST=0.0.0.0

# Data directory for history and config
DATA_DIR=./data

Updating

docker compose pull
docker compose up -d

SimulationCraft Addon Setup

The SimulationCraft WoW addon exports your character's gear, talents, and stats into a string that SimHammer can read. It's required for Quick Sim and Top Gear.

Installation

1. 1

   Download the addon from CurseForge or install via CurseForge, Overwolf, or Wago.

2. 2

   Launch World of Warcraft and log in to your character.

3. 3

   Type /simc in chat. An addon window will appear with your export string.

4. 4

   Click Copy to Clipboard, then paste into SimHammer.

Troubleshooting

• If /simc doesn't open a window, make sure the addon is enabled in the character select screen.
• If the string looks truncated, use the Copy to Clipboard button — don't manually select the text.
• Ensure you're on your character, not in a loading screen or cutscene.