1.20.1 pack.mcmeta and resource pack not recognized

[Redstone Dreamer]

I have been attempting to create a supplementary resource pack with Patchouli in order to add back the guidebook for Better End but unfortunately in every prototype I have made pack.mcmeta and my resource pack are not recognized. I have tested both zipped and unzipped and either way curseforge does not recognize my resource pack as existing.

For testing I stripped my pack down to just the pack.mcmeta file and two empty folders labelled data and assets and I know the data folder is not the problem as firstly my first attempts just had an assets folder following Patchouli instructions and data came later in my flailing attempts to make anything in my pack work. The mcmeta file is not recognized whether or not I use this: 

{
   "pack": {
     "pack_format": 15,
     "description": "A replacement for the BetterEnd Guide Book."       
   }
   "language": {
     "en_US": {
        "name": "English",
        "region": "United States"
     }
  }
}

,or this: 

{
   "pack": {
     "pack_format": 15,
     "description": "A replacement for the BetterEnd Guide Book."       
   }
}

I have made sure to only use lowercase and the pack folder is named better-end-guide. Is this some magic nonsense from me doing this manually instead of using an IDE or similar tool? Could it be because my files are by default in UTF-8 even though ANSI gives the same results? Is there a specific community secret tool I am supposed to use for zipping or specific settings? I am pulling my hair in distress.

Unfortunately as there are no errors involved I lack logs to offer, if that disqualifies this thread please do not be harsh and instead if you can then please direct me to a forum with different rules and sufficiently respectful but knowledgeable as to be of assistance. Most of my experience with the programming community has been poor and so naturally I find myself wary.

Edited November 22, 2024 by Redstone Dreamer
Clarification.

[Redstone Dreamer]

Update: I stand corrected as I was able to dig up a relevant log from my earlier testing which highlights the overall issue but does not explain how to solve it. See, Diagnostic Logs for pack.mcmeta not found: https://pastebin.com/LXS8Rtna

[Xoroshio]

Try not zipping the folder pack.mcmeta etc… is in, but selecting the files and zipping them. I think this might be an apple related problem but idk.