Converting .3ds to .cia

This guide has been updated for arm9loaderhax with Luma 7+. The directions still mostly apply if you run an alternative configuration.

Download the latest version of GodMode9 here
https://github.com/d0k3/GodMode9/releases

Place GodMode9.bin in /luma/payloads/ on the SD card of your 3DS. Optionally rename it up_GodMode9.bin, y_GodMode9.bin etc if you would like to hold a button at boot to run it. Otherwise Luma has a new chainloader which you can access by holding Start on boot.

Now find or create a folder on your SD root called /files9. Place aeskeydb.bin and seeddb.bin in it to ensure maximum compatibility.
https://my.mixtape.moe/mcwwfo.zip

Run GodMode9. Navigate into '[0:] SDCARD' and locate the .3ds file you want to convert. Press A, enter 'NCSD image options...' and 'Build CIA from file'. Once it is done, you should have a working cia located under /gm9out.