Fabric · Forge · NeoForge

Cloth Config API

The library that gives mods their in-game settings menus. Without it, a mod that offers configuration either crashes on startup or forces you to edit a JSON file by hand. With it, you get sliders, toggles, dropdowns, and text fields — the config screens you've probably used a hundred times without noticing which mod provides them.

Fabric / Forge / NeoForge Minecraft 1.21.4 Library / API Verified source

Quick facts

CategoryLibrary / API
LoaderFabric, Forge, NeoForge
Minecraft1.21.4 and older supported versions
Authorshedaniel
SourceCurseForge
Downloads383.5M (CurseForge, Sep 2026)
SideClient-side (for config screens)

Source status

Verified

The download below is the file listed in our catalogue. Metadata last checked October 2026.

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Minecraft Mod

The mod behind the settings button

Free download

Get Cloth Config API

One JAR per loader. Drop into mods for Fabric, Forge, or NeoForge — config screens are client-side.

Download Cloth Config API

File: cloth-config.zip · Hosted on MinecraftDrop · No redirects, no ads

What Cloth Config API actually does

Cloth Config is a library that mod developers use to build configuration screens. Without it, a mod that offers in-game settings cannot display those settings. The mod may still function with default values, but you cannot change anything without editing config files manually. In a worst-case scenario, the mod crashes on startup because the dependency isn't found.

For players, the practical effect is simple: if a mod page says "requires Cloth Config API," install it. You will get the mod's settings menu. If you skip it, the game may crash, or the settings button may do nothing. It's the same pattern as Fabric API or Architectury — invisible infrastructure that half your mod list assumes is there.

Cloth Config's particular role in the ecosystem is worth noting. Hundreds of mods use it — everything from performance mods to utility mods to full content overhauls — because writing a config UI from scratch is tedious and Cloth Config already handles the platform differences. If you've ever adjusted a mod's slider without thinking about which mod was rendering that slider, chances are it was Cloth Config.

What it provides

1
Config screen frameworkA consistent UI for sliders, toggles, dropdowns, and text fields.
2
Multi-loader supportThe same config screen works on Fabric, Forge, and NeoForge.
3
Integration with Mod MenuOn Fabric, Cloth Config screens open from the Mod Menu mod list.
4
Save/load handlingConfig values are validated and written to the mod's config file automatically.

How to install it

Cloth Config is a library mod — the server does not need it unless a specific mod on your server uses it for server-side configuration. For config screens, it's client-side only.

  1. Download the version matching your loader — Fabric, Forge, or NeoForge. The JARs are different.
  2. Download the version matching your Minecraft version. Cloth Config ships separate builds per MC version; loading the wrong one will crash on startup.
  3. Drop the JAR into .minecraft/mods (or your launcher's mods folder for the profile you're using).
  4. Launch the game. Dependent mods will now show their config screens. If a mod's settings button still does nothing, check that you installed the correct loader build.
Dependency, not a feature mod. Cloth Config adds nothing visible to the game by itself. If you're installing it because a mod told you to, that's the only reason you need it. Remove the dependent mod, and Cloth Config can be removed too.

Compatibility at a glance

Every value below comes from the creator's official source page. Where the creator doesn't state a field, we mark it "Unknown" rather than guess.

FieldValue
CategoryLibrary / API
LoadersFabric, Forge, NeoForge
Minecraft versions1.21.4 and older supported versions
SideClient-side (for config screens)
SourceCurseForge (shedaniel)
Last verifiedOctober 2026

Frequently asked questions

Do I need Cloth Config for every mod?
No. Only mods that explicitly list Cloth Config as a dependency need it. Many mods use their own config system or none at all.
What happens if I skip Cloth Config?
The dependent mod may crash on startup, or its settings button may do nothing. Some mods fall back to a config file you can edit manually, but the in-game settings menu won't work.
Is Cloth Config client-side or server-side?
Client-side for config screens. The settings menu is a client UI, so the server does not need Cloth Config unless a specific mod uses it for server-side configuration.
Which loaders does Cloth Config support?
Cloth Config supports Fabric, Forge, and NeoForge. Choose the JAR matching your loader and Minecraft version.
Do I need Mod Menu to open config screens?
On Fabric, Mod Menu provides the mod list UI where Cloth Config screens open from. Without Mod Menu you'll need another way to reach the settings screen — typically the mod's own config key or command.

Why this listing exists

Most resource sites either dump hundreds of unverified links with no context, or hide downloads behind fake countdown timers and redirect chains. This page follows a different approach: it shows the resource's real metadata, links to the creator's original page, and states clearly what we have and have not verified.

If you find a broken link, an incorrect version, or a download that goes somewhere unexpected, report it using the contact form. If you are the creator and want this listing removed or changed, see Copyright / DMCA.

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Async path-tracing that hides non-visible entities and blocks.

Report a problem with this page: contact form. If you are the creator and want this listing changed, see Copyright / DMCA.