In FFXIV, the crafter classes are non-combat classes who are capable of making a wide variety of objects ranging from weapons and armor to minions, mount accessories, housing items, collectibles, custom deliveries, food, potions, and more. Each crafter class shares very similar abilities so that, in general, a macro or rotation that works for one class will often work for another if you have them both at the same level and have learned the same abilities.
Crafter classes in FFXIV are often referred to as being “Disciples of the Hand” since they make things by hand. And, again, since they are non-combat classes, you should not change to them when out in the wild since you will not be able to defend yourself!
The current crafting classes in FFXIV are alchemist, armorer, blacksmith, carpenter, culinarian, goldsmith, leatherworker, and weaver. Like the combat classes, these classes are run by guilds contained in the three major cities and thus cannot be completely accessed until you have reached the point in the story where you are able to travel freely between the three cities of Ul’dah, Limsa Lominsa, and Gridania.
Crafters also have a unique resource called “CP” or “Crafting Points” that they spend on many of their abilities to enhance the quality of an object they are creating or to create an object. Also, where combat classes rely on stats like “mind” or “strength” or “critical strike,” to determine how much damage they do, crafters rely on stats like “craftsmanship” and “cunning” to determine if they can make certain items and how high a quality they can make them.