diff --git a/docs/mods-and-plugins/index.md b/docs/mods-and-plugins/index.md
index 8d91e3f4..f59219f0 100644
--- a/docs/mods-and-plugins/index.md
+++ b/docs/mods-and-plugins/index.md
@@ -156,6 +156,54 @@ Disabling mods within docker compose files:
         mod2.jar
 ```
 
+### Loading container configuration from a pack
+
+A pack can ship its own container configuration so that the server type, version,
+and other variables travel with the pack rather than being declared by the user.
+At startup, before `TYPE` is dispatched, the container can load environment
+variables from a file on disk, a URL, an entry inside an archive, or from the
+`.env` of each `GENERIC_PACK(S)` entry.
+
+- `LOAD_ENV_FROM_GENERIC_PACK`: when `true`, each entry in `GENERIC_PACKS` (after
+  `GENERIC_PACKS_PREFIX`/`SUFFIX` expansion) is probed for a top-level `.env`
+  and each one found is sourced in the same order the packs are applied (later
+  packs override earlier ones, matching the layering of the unpack itself). Packs
+  without a `.env` are skipped without error. URLs are downloaded into
+  `/data/packs/` and reused by the regular generic-pack unpack step, so they are
+  not fetched twice.
+- `LOAD_ENV_FROM_FILE`: container path or URL of a shell-style env file (one
+  `KEY=VALUE` per line). Comments and blank lines are allowed.
+- `LOAD_ENV_FROM_ARCHIVE`: container path or URL of a zip/tar archive containing
+  an env file. The entry is sourced into the environment.
+- `LOAD_ENV_FROM_ARCHIVE_ENTRY`: relative path of the env file inside the archive.
+  Defaults to `.env`.
+
+These can be combined. Load order is: generic packs first, then
+`LOAD_ENV_FROM_FILE`, then `LOAD_ENV_FROM_ARCHIVE` — later loads override
+earlier ones, and all of them **override** values passed via `docker run -e` (or
+compose `environment:`), so the pack's declared values win.
+
+```shell
+docker run -d \
+  -e EULA=TRUE \
+  -e GENERIC_PACK=https://cdn.example.org/my-pack.zip \
+  -e LOAD_ENV_FROM_GENERIC_PACK=true \
+  itzg/minecraft-server
+```
+
+Where `my-pack.zip` contains a `.env` at its root such as:
+
+```env
+TYPE=FABRIC
+VERSION=1.21.1
+FABRIC_LOADER_VERSION=0.16.0
+```
+
+!!! warning
+    The env file is sourced by `bash`, so any shell syntax it contains will be
+    evaluated. Only point these variables at sources you trust. `EULA` cannot be
+    set this way — it is checked before the env file is loaded.
+
 ## Mods/plugins list
 
 You may also download or copy over individual mods/plugins using the `MODS` or `PLUGINS` environment variables. Both are a comma or newline delimited list of
diff --git a/scripts/start-configuration b/scripts/start-configuration
index 13838dfa..386b7616 100755
--- a/scripts/start-configuration
+++ b/scripts/start-configuration
@@ -152,6 +152,31 @@ fi
 
 cd /data || exit 1
 
+##########################################
+# Optionally load environment variables from a file or archive entry,
+# allowing packs/artifacts to declare TYPE, VERSION and other settings
+# inside-out. Loaded values override anything passed in through docker -e.
+# Generic packs are processed first so that LOAD_ENV_FROM_FILE and
+# LOAD_ENV_FROM_ARCHIVE can override any values they set.
+
+if isTrue "${LOAD_ENV_FROM_GENERIC_PACK:-false}"; then
+  if ! loadEnvFromGenericPack; then
+    exit 1
+  fi
+fi
+
+if [[ ${LOAD_ENV_FROM_FILE:-} ]]; then
+  if ! loadEnvFromFile "${LOAD_ENV_FROM_FILE}"; then
+    exit 1
+  fi
+fi
+
+if [[ ${LOAD_ENV_FROM_ARCHIVE:-} ]]; then
+  if ! loadEnvFromArchive "${LOAD_ENV_FROM_ARCHIVE}" "${LOAD_ENV_FROM_ARCHIVE_ENTRY:-.env}"; then
+    exit 1
+  fi
+fi
+
 export DECLARED_TYPE=${TYPE^^}
 export DECLARED_VERSION="$VERSION"
 
diff --git a/scripts/start-utils b/scripts/start-utils
index 34963936..62ba29e6 100755
--- a/scripts/start-utils
+++ b/scripts/start-utils
@@ -26,6 +26,117 @@ function applyResultsFile() {
   set +a
 }
 
+function loadEnvFromFile() {
+  local source=${1?Missing required source argument}
+  local downloaded=
+
+  if isURL "$source"; then
+    mkdir -p /data/.tmp
+    downloaded=$(mktemp -p /data/.tmp)
+    log "Downloading env file from $source"
+    if ! get -o "$downloaded" "$source"; then
+      logError "Failed to download env file from $source"
+      rm -f "$downloaded"
+      return 1
+    fi
+    log "Loading env vars from $source"
+    applyResultsFile "$downloaded"
+    rm -f "$downloaded"
+  elif [ -f "$source" ]; then
+    log "Loading env vars from $source"
+    applyResultsFile "$source"
+  else
+    logError "Env file not found: $source"
+    return 1
+  fi
+}
+
+function loadEnvFromArchive() {
+  local source=${1?Missing required source argument}
+  local entry=${2:-.env}
+  local archive=
+  local downloaded=
+  local tmpdir
+  local rc=0
+
+  mkdir -p /data/.tmp
+
+  if isURL "$source"; then
+    downloaded=$(mktemp -p /data/.tmp)
+    log "Downloading archive from $source"
+    if ! get -o "$downloaded" "$source"; then
+      logError "Failed to download archive from $source"
+      rm -f "$downloaded"
+      return 1
+    fi
+    archive=$downloaded
+  elif [ -f "$source" ]; then
+    archive=$source
+  else
+    logError "Archive not found: $source"
+    return 1
+  fi
+
+  tmpdir=$(mktemp -d -p /data/.tmp)
+  if extract "$archive" "$tmpdir" "$entry" && [ -f "$tmpdir/$entry" ]; then
+    log "Loading env vars from '$entry' in $source"
+    applyResultsFile "$tmpdir/$entry"
+  else
+    logError "Failed to load env entry '$entry' from $source"
+    rc=1
+  fi
+
+  rm -rf "$tmpdir"
+  [[ -n "$downloaded" ]] && rm -f "$downloaded"
+  return $rc
+}
+
+function loadEnvFromGenericPack() {
+  : "${GENERIC_PACKS:=${GENERIC_PACK:-}}"
+  : "${GENERIC_PACKS_PREFIX:=}"
+  : "${GENERIC_PACKS_SUFFIX:=}"
+
+  if [[ -z "${GENERIC_PACKS}" ]]; then
+    logWarning "LOAD_ENV_FROM_GENERIC_PACK is set but GENERIC_PACK(S) is empty"
+    return 0
+  fi
+
+  mkdir -p /data/.tmp
+  IFS=',' read -ra packs <<< "${GENERIC_PACKS}"
+  local loaded=0
+  local pack packEntry packFile tmpdir
+  for packEntry in "${packs[@]}"; do
+    pack="${GENERIC_PACKS_PREFIX}${packEntry}${GENERIC_PACKS_SUFFIX}"
+    if isURL "$pack"; then
+      mkdir -p /data/packs
+      if ! packFile=$(get -o /data/packs --output-filename --skip-up-to-date "$pack"); then
+        logError "Failed to download generic pack $pack"
+        return 1
+      fi
+    else
+      packFile=$pack
+    fi
+
+    if [[ ! -f "$packFile" ]]; then
+      logError "Generic pack not found: $packFile"
+      return 1
+    fi
+
+    tmpdir=$(mktemp -d -p /data/.tmp)
+    # Packs without a .env are valid — silently skip; the unpack step still applies them.
+    if extract "$packFile" "$tmpdir" .env 2>/dev/null && [ -f "$tmpdir/.env" ]; then
+      log "Loading env vars from .env in $pack"
+      applyResultsFile "$tmpdir/.env"
+      loaded=$((loaded + 1))
+    fi
+    rm -rf "$tmpdir"
+  done
+
+  if (( loaded == 0 )); then
+    logWarning "LOAD_ENV_FROM_GENERIC_PACK is set but no pack in GENERIC_PACK(S) contained a .env"
+  fi
+}
+
 function join_by() {
   local d=$1
   shift
@@ -445,17 +556,19 @@ function isType() {
 function extract() {
   src=${1?}
   destDir=${2?}
+  shift 2
+  # remaining args are paths within the archive to extract; if none, extract everything
 
   type=$(file -b --mime-type "${src}")
   case "${type}" in
   application/zip)
-    unzip -o -q -d "${destDir}" "${src}"
+    unzip -o -q -d "${destDir}" "${src}" "$@"
     ;;
   application/x-tar | application/gzip | application/x-gzip | application/x-bzip2)
-    tar -C "${destDir}" -xf "${src}"
+    tar -C "${destDir}" -xf "${src}" "$@"
     ;;
   application/zstd | application/x-zstd)
-    tar -C "${destDir}" --use-compress-program=unzstd -xf "${src}"
+    tar -C "${destDir}" --use-compress-program=unzstd -xf "${src}" "$@"
     ;;
   *)
     logError "Unsupported archive type: $type"
diff --git a/tests/setuponlytests/load-env-from-archive/docker-compose.yml b/tests/setuponlytests/load-env-from-archive/docker-compose.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d54e3e35
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/setuponlytests/load-env-from-archive/docker-compose.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+services:
+  mc:
+    image: ${IMAGE_TO_TEST:-itzg/minecraft-server}
+    environment:
+      EULA: "true"
+      SETUP_ONLY: "true"
+      LOAD_ENV_FROM_ARCHIVE: /test/load-env.zip
+      MOTD: from-compose
+      LOG_TIMESTAMP: "true"
+      DEBUG: "true"
+      # the following are only used to speed up test execution
+      TYPE: CUSTOM
+      CUSTOM_SERVER: /servers/fake.jar
+      VERSION: 1.18.1
+    volumes:
+      - ./data:/data
+      - ./load-env.zip:/test/load-env.zip
+      - ./fake.jar:/servers/fake.jar
diff --git a/tests/setuponlytests/load-env-from-archive/fake.jar b/tests/setuponlytests/load-env-from-archive/fake.jar
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e69de29b
diff --git a/tests/setuponlytests/load-env-from-archive/load-env.zip b/tests/setuponlytests/load-env-from-archive/load-env.zip
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..efec7c14
Binary files /dev/null and b/tests/setuponlytests/load-env-from-archive/load-env.zip differ
diff --git a/tests/setuponlytests/load-env-from-archive/verify.sh b/tests/setuponlytests/load-env-from-archive/verify.sh
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..03f06943
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/setuponlytests/load-env-from-archive/verify.sh
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+mc-image-helper assert propertyEquals --file=server.properties --property=motd --expect=from-archive
diff --git a/tests/setuponlytests/load-env-from-file/docker-compose.yml b/tests/setuponlytests/load-env-from-file/docker-compose.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..336173e0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/setuponlytests/load-env-from-file/docker-compose.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+services:
+  mc:
+    image: ${IMAGE_TO_TEST:-itzg/minecraft-server}
+    environment:
+      EULA: "true"
+      SETUP_ONLY: "true"
+      LOAD_ENV_FROM_FILE: /test/load-env.env
+      MOTD: from-compose
+      LOG_TIMESTAMP: "true"
+      DEBUG: "true"
+      # the following are only used to speed up test execution
+      TYPE: CUSTOM
+      CUSTOM_SERVER: /servers/fake.jar
+      VERSION: 1.18.1
+    volumes:
+      - ./data:/data
+      - ./load-env.env:/test/load-env.env
+      - ./fake.jar:/servers/fake.jar
diff --git a/tests/setuponlytests/load-env-from-file/fake.jar b/tests/setuponlytests/load-env-from-file/fake.jar
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e69de29b
diff --git a/tests/setuponlytests/load-env-from-file/load-env.env b/tests/setuponlytests/load-env-from-file/load-env.env
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..419082c7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/setuponlytests/load-env-from-file/load-env.env
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+# Loaded by LOAD_ENV_FROM_FILE during start-configuration
+MOTD=from-env-file
diff --git a/tests/setuponlytests/load-env-from-file/verify.sh b/tests/setuponlytests/load-env-from-file/verify.sh
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..225c01a0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/setuponlytests/load-env-from-file/verify.sh
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+mc-image-helper assert propertyEquals --file=server.properties --property=motd --expect=from-env-file
diff --git a/tests/setuponlytests/load-env-from-generic-pack/docker-compose.yml b/tests/setuponlytests/load-env-from-generic-pack/docker-compose.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d68d0f02
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/setuponlytests/load-env-from-generic-pack/docker-compose.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+services:
+  mc:
+    image: ${IMAGE_TO_TEST:-itzg/minecraft-server}
+    environment:
+      EULA: "true"
+      SETUP_ONLY: "true"
+      GENERIC_PACK: /packs/pack.zip
+      LOAD_ENV_FROM_GENERIC_PACK: "true"
+      MOTD: from-compose
+      LOG_TIMESTAMP: "true"
+      DEBUG: "true"
+      # the following are only used to speed up test execution
+      TYPE: CUSTOM
+      CUSTOM_SERVER: /servers/fake.jar
+      VERSION: 1.18.1
+    volumes:
+      - ./data:/data
+      - ./pack.zip:/packs/pack.zip
+      - ./fake.jar:/servers/fake.jar
diff --git a/tests/setuponlytests/load-env-from-generic-pack/fake.jar b/tests/setuponlytests/load-env-from-generic-pack/fake.jar
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e69de29b
diff --git a/tests/setuponlytests/load-env-from-generic-pack/pack.zip b/tests/setuponlytests/load-env-from-generic-pack/pack.zip
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6345a6d1
Binary files /dev/null and b/tests/setuponlytests/load-env-from-generic-pack/pack.zip differ
diff --git a/tests/setuponlytests/load-env-from-generic-pack/verify.sh b/tests/setuponlytests/load-env-from-generic-pack/verify.sh
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..87d775d3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/setuponlytests/load-env-from-generic-pack/verify.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+mc-image-helper assert propertyEquals --file=server.properties --property=motd --expect=from-generic-pack
+mc-image-helper assert fileExists config/dummy.yml