Can I use Fabric mods with Quilt?

Yes, Quilt is designed to run most Fabric mods. Install Quilted Fabric API in your mods folder to cover the dependency most Fabric mods need. A small number of Fabric mods that use Fabric's internal APIs may not work, but the vast majority do.

Do I need to unzip the mod files before putting them in the mods folder?

No. Drop the .jar files directly into the mods folder as-is. Unzipping them will break them and they will not load.

Can I use Quilt mods and Forge mods at the same time?

No. Quilt and Forge are separate mod loaders and their mods do not mix. You need a separate launcher profile for each loader, and the mods go in separate instances or folders.

What is Quilted Fabric API and do I need it?

Quilted Fabric API (QFAPI) is a library that lets Fabric mods run on Quilt. Many mods list it as a required dependency. Check the mod page you are downloading from. If it lists Fabric API or Quilted Fabric API as a requirement, download QFAPI from Modrinth, match the version to your Minecraft version, and put it in your mods folder.

Why does Quilt say a mod is incompatible even though it supports Fabric?

The mod might be built for a different Minecraft version, or it could depend on a version of Fabric API that does not match your Quilted Fabric API build. Check the mod page for the exact version requirements and make sure everything lines up with the Minecraft version your Quilt profile is set to.

How to Install Mods with the Quilt Loader

Quilt is a mod loader for Minecraft Java Edition that runs most Fabric mods and has its own growing library of Quilt-native mods. Once Quilt is installed, getting mods into the game comes down to dropping the right .jar files in the right folder and launching with the correct profile.

What You Need Before You Start

Minecraft Java Edition (Quilt does not work with Bedrock)
Quilt Loader installed in your launcher. If you have not done this yet, follow the steps on the Quilt Installer page.
Java 17 or Java 21 installed on your computer (required for Minecraft 1.17 and newer)
Mods in .jar format downloaded from a trusted source like Modrinth or CurseForge

How to Install Mods with Quilt

Confirm the Quilt profile is in your launcher. After installing Quilt, a profile named something like “Quilt Loader [version]” appears in the Minecraft launcher. If you do not see it, run the Quilt Installer again and make sure you selected the right Minecraft version before clicking Install.
Open your mods folder.
- Windows: Press Win + R, type %appdata%\.minecraft\mods, and press Enter.
- Mac: Open Finder, press Cmd + Shift + G, and paste ~/Library/Application Support/minecraft/mods.
- Linux: Go to ~/.minecraft/mods.
If the mods folder does not exist yet, create a new folder named mods inside your .minecraft directory. If you use a launcher like Prism or MultiMC, each instance has its own mods folder. Open that instance and use its folder button instead.
Download your mod. On Modrinth or CurseForge, find the mod and look for a version that matches your exact Minecraft version (for example, 1.21.1) and lists Quilt or Fabric as a supported loader. Download the .jar file.
Check for required dependencies. Most Quilt and Fabric mods list their dependencies on the download page. The most common requirement is Quilted Fabric API (QFAPI) or Quilt Standard Libraries (QSL). If your mod needs either of these, search Modrinth for “Quilted Fabric API,” download the version that matches your Minecraft version, and add it to your mods folder along with your other mods.
Move the .jar files into the mods folder. Drag or copy every .jar file you downloaded directly into the mods folder. Do not unzip them. Leave them as .jar files.
Launch Minecraft using the Quilt profile. In your launcher, select the Quilt Loader profile and click Play. If you launch the default vanilla profile, Minecraft loads without any mods at all.
Check that the mods loaded. From the main menu, look for a Mods button (Quilt adds this when active). Click it to see a list of every mod currently loaded. If a mod you installed is not on the list, something went wrong.

Common Mistakes and Troubleshooting

Game crashes on launch

This is almost always a version mismatch. Every mod in your mods folder needs to match the Minecraft version you are running. A mod built for 1.20.1 will crash a 1.21.1 instance. Open .minecraft/crash-reports, look at the latest crash log, and find which mod is named in the error. Go back and download the correct version of that mod.

Missing dependency error at launch

Quilt shows a screen listing any missing dependencies before the game loads. The most common fix is adding Quilted Fabric API to your mods folder. Search Modrinth for “Quilted Fabric API,” grab the build that matches your Minecraft version, and drop it in with your other mods.

Mod does not appear in the Mods list

Double-check that the .jar file is in the correct mods folder for the instance you are running. Also confirm the mod is compatible with Quilt or Fabric, not Forge or NeoForge. A Forge mod placed in a Quilt mods folder will be ignored or cause a crash.

Fabric mod not working on Quilt

Quilt runs the majority of Fabric mods without issues, but a small number of mods that hook into Fabric’s internal APIs do not work. Check the mod’s page or issue tracker for any reported Quilt compatibility problems. Sometimes there is a Quilt-specific fork of the mod available.

Quilt profile missing from the launcher

Run the Quilt Installer again. Select your Minecraft version, leave the install location on the default, and click Install. The installer creates or restores the profile in the official launcher automatically.

Which Versions and Editions This Applies To

Quilt is for Minecraft Java Edition only. It does not work with Bedrock Edition on Windows, consoles, or mobile. Quilt supports Java Edition versions from 1.14 onward, though most active mod development targets 1.18.2, 1.19.x, 1.20.x, and 1.21.x.

Quilt mods and Fabric mods are not compatible with Forge or NeoForge. Those are entirely separate mod loaders. If you want to run Forge or NeoForge mods, you need a separate launcher profile for each. For a broader look at how mod installation works across loaders, the guide on how to install mods with Forge covers the same basic process from the Forge side.