Do I need to install Cloth Config API if no mod specifically asked for it?

No. You only need it if a mod lists it as a required dependency. If you install it and don't have any mods that use it, nothing bad happens either. It just sits in your mods folder doing nothing.

I put Cloth Config in my mods folder but my game still says the dependency is missing. What's wrong?

Almost always this means you downloaded the wrong build. Check that the Cloth Config version matches both your Minecraft version and your mod loader exactly. A Fabric build on a Forge install won't work, and a 1.20.4 build won't satisfy a 1.21 requirement.

Is there a difference between the Fabric version and the Forge version?

Yes, they're separate files built for different mod loaders. The Fabric version is for Fabric and Quilt. The Forge version is for Forge. The NeoForge version is for NeoForge. Each one shows up separately on the mod's download page, so make sure you grab the right one for your setup.

Does Cloth Config work with OptiFine?

Cloth Config itself doesn't have a conflict with OptiFine, but many of the mods that depend on it (like Sodium and Iris) are not compatible with OptiFine. If you're running Fabric-based mods, you're usually better off skipping OptiFine entirely and using Sodium instead. See the OptiFine page for more context on the difference.

I'm not on the latest version of Minecraft. Can I still use Cloth Config?

Probably yes. Cloth Config has releases going back to Minecraft 1.14 on Fabric, and 1.16.5 on Forge. Just filter by your version on the download page and grab the newest build for your version.

Cloth Config API - Minecraft Library Mod

Download Cloth Config API from Modrinth

What Is Cloth Config API?

Cloth Config API is a configuration library that lets mods add proper in-game settings screens. If you’ve ever installed a mod and seen a gear icon or a “Config” button that lets you adjust options without touching config files directly, Cloth Config is probably behind it.

It’s not a mod you install for fun. It’s a dependency. Hundreds of popular mods require it to function, including Sodium, Iris Shaders, REI (Roughly Enough Items), EMI, Mod Menu, Continuity, and many others. If a mod’s description says “requires Cloth Config API,” you need this file in your mods folder or the mod won’t load at all.

Why So Many Mods Depend on It

Before libraries like this existed, every mod developer had to build their own settings system from scratch, or just use flat config files that players had to edit by hand in a text editor. Cloth Config gives developers a ready-made framework for config screens. It saves them weeks of work and gives players a consistent experience across completely different mods.

The library handles all the tedious parts: reading and writing config files to disk, validating values so nothing breaks, and providing UI elements like sliders, toggles, and dropdowns. Developers just describe what settings they want, and Cloth Config handles the rest.

Key Features

In-Game Config Screens

Mods that use Cloth Config can give you a proper settings screen with actual buttons, sliders, and text fields, all accessible from inside the game. No more hunting through .toml or .json files buried in your config folder.

Support for Many Setting Types

Developers can define settings as booleans (on/off toggles), integers with min/max ranges, decimal numbers, plain text strings, color pickers, keybinds, and dropdown lists. Players automatically get the right UI element for each setting type. A volume-style option shows a slider; an on/off option shows a toggle.

Mod Menu Integration on Fabric

On Fabric and Quilt, Cloth Config pairs with Fabric and the Mod Menu mod to put a gear icon next to each installed mod. Click it and you get that mod’s config screen right there, without leaving the game or restarting anything.

Multi-Loader Support

Cloth Config has separate builds for Fabric, Quilt, Forge, and NeoForge. You download the version that matches your mod loader. They are not interchangeable, so pay attention to which one you grab.

Automatic Config File Management

The library saves your settings to a file automatically. Your preferences carry over when you restart the game. If someone manually edits a config file and puts in an invalid value, Cloth Config resets it to the default instead of throwing an error or crashing.

Supported Versions and Loaders

Cloth Config covers a wide range of Minecraft versions and all the major loaders:

Fabric – the primary target; releases go back to 1.14 and are kept current
Quilt – supported alongside Fabric on the same builds
Forge – available for 1.16.5 and most versions up through current releases
NeoForge – supported starting with 1.20.1

Always match the Cloth Config version to your exact Minecraft version and mod loader. A Fabric build will not load on Forge, and vice versa.

How to Install Cloth Config API

Make sure you have a mod loader set up first. Depending on what your mods need, install Fabric, Quilt, Forge, or NeoForge.
Download Cloth Config API using the button on this page. Pick the file that matches your Minecraft version and your loader (Fabric, Forge, etc.).
Move the downloaded .jar file into your mods folder. On Windows that’s %appdata%\.minecraft\mods. On Mac it’s ~/Library/Application Support/minecraft/mods. On Linux it’s ~/.minecraft/mods.
If you’re on Fabric, also check whether the mod that depends on Cloth Config also needs Fabric API. Most Fabric mods do. Drop that .jar in the mods folder too if required.
Launch Minecraft using your loader’s profile. Cloth Config runs silently in the background. You won’t see a new button or screen from it directly, but any mods that depend on it will now work correctly.

If this is your first time installing mods, the mod installation guide walks through the full process step by step.

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Cloth Config API – Minecraft Library Mod