- Installing a Fabric mod is three steps: loader, Fabric API, then the mod jar.
- Every piece (loader, API, mod) must target the same Minecraft version.
- Mods live in the mods folder inside your Minecraft directory.
- Most install failures are a version mismatch or a missing Fabric API.
Installing a Fabric mod takes three steps: install the Fabric loader for your exact Minecraft version, put the Fabric API in your mods folder, then drop the mod's jar in beside it. Launch the Fabric profile and the mod loads. Most install problems come from a version mismatch, so match every piece to the same Minecraft version.
Installing Opal
Opal follows these same steps: it is a Fabric mod. For the exact version and recommended JVM arguments, use the setup guide.
The three steps
Install the Fabric loader
Install the Fabric loader for your Minecraft version, using the official Fabric installer or a launcher that supports Fabric. See how to install the Fabric loader for the full walkthrough.
Add the Fabric API
Place the Fabric API jar in your mods folder. Most mods depend on it.
Add the mod
Place the mod's jar in the same mods folder, next to the Fabric API.
Then launch the Fabric profile and the mod loads on startup. If it does not appear, check the troubleshooting list below.
Where the mods folder is
| OS | Path |
|---|---|
| Windows | %appdata%\.minecraft\mods |
| macOS | ~/Library/Application Support/minecraft/mods |
| Linux | ~/.minecraft/mods |
If the mods folder does not exist yet, run the Fabric profile once and it gets created for you.
When a mod will not load
- Mod does not appear: the jar is in the wrong folder, or you launched a non-Fabric profile.
- Crash on launch with a missing-class error: the Fabric API is missing or the wrong version.
- Version mismatch: the loader, the Fabric API, and the mod must all target the same Minecraft version.
FAQ
Most Fabric mods depend on it, so install it by default. A few self-contained mods do not need it, but adding it never hurts.
Usually a version mismatch or a missing Fabric API. Confirm the loader, the Fabric API, and the mod all target the same Minecraft version.
In the mods folder inside your Minecraft directory (paths above). Run the Fabric profile once if the folder is not there yet.
