[API/Mod] Fabric (1.14.4 - 1.21.8)

Launched in 2018, Fabric is a flexible, lightweight, and modular modloader that makes it easy to add and play with mods on Minecraft, and quickly enjoy them right after the release of a new official version. This API is ideal for players and developers who want a simpler and more flexible platform for modding, unlike Forge.

How to download, install, and use Fabric ?

1. Download the Launcher

Fabric is very easy to install and use to play with mods on Minecraft. The first thing to do is go to the download page on the official website.

- If you're on Windows, download the launcher as an .exe (click on Download for Windows) or the universal .jar. It's basically the same thing, and it's easy to use.
- If you're on MacOS or Linux, you only need to download the universal .jar. Sometimes you need to install Java before this step to ensure it works properly.

2. Installing Fabric

First of all, close Minecraft and its Launcher before installing Fabric. Then, run the Fabric installer. You should see an image like this :

To install Fabric, simply choose the version that matches your game from the dropdown and click Install. First, make sure the Create Profile box is checked (important).

For macOS users, you must right-click on the .jar file and press Open to launch it. When asked if you're sure you want to open it, click Open again. The process remains the same as for Windows.

3. Open the Minecraft Launcher

Once you've followed the steps and installed Fabric, open your Minecraft Launcher and select the Fabric profile from the list in the bottom left corner. You're ready to launch the game and play!

4. Installing Mods

You can now install and use mods to enhance your Minecraft experience. To do this, you need to download Fabric API, a small mod to make mods work. It's very simple. Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard, type %appdata% in the search bar, and find your .minecraft folder. Once inside, locate the mods folder and drag Fabric API inside. Launch the game with the Fabric profile and check that everything works correctly. Follow the same procedure for all the mods you install later.

Things to know about Fabric

Fabric is therefore an easy-to-use modloader for playing with or creating mods. Be aware that some mods (particularly those for game optimization) were designed to work only on Fabric (or even Quilt), such as Iris Shaders, Lithium, Sodium, and others. Conversely, mods like OptiFine only work with Forge or NeoForge.
Also note that you must choose one of the three available APIs to install mods, depending on your preference, as the APIs are not compatible with each other. This is important to know when choosing the mods you'll install on Minecraft.
Finally, note that Fabric is available for versions ranging from 1.14.4 to the very recent 1.21.8.

On Minecraft-Vanilla.com, you'll find mods compatible with all modloaders, but some are sometimes only available with Fabric or Forge. This depends on the creator. So I try to diversify the presentation of mods as much as possible, so that you have as much choice as possible. You will find them in the Mods section of the blog.