Meteor Client is the most popular open-source utility client for Minecraft Java Edition. It runs as a Fabric mod, which means installation is straightforward — no shady launchers or custom executables required. This guide walks you through the complete setup process, from installing Fabric to configuring Meteor and adding your first addons. The whole process takes about 10 minutes.
Already have Meteor installed? Skip ahead to our Best Meteor Client Addons guide to power up your setup.
Requirements
- Minecraft Java Edition — Meteor does not work with Bedrock
- Java 21+ — required for Minecraft 1.21 and newer
- Fabric Loader — Meteor is a Fabric mod (not Forge or NeoForge)
- Internet connection — to download the client and libraries
Important: Meteor Client is not a standalone launcher. It is a Fabric mod that runs inside vanilla Minecraft through the Fabric mod loader.
Step 1: Install Java
Minecraft 1.21 and newer requires Java 21. Check your Java version by opening a terminal and running:
java -version
If Java is not installed or is an older version, download Java 21 from Adoptium (Eclipse Temurin). Install it and restart your computer.
For detailed Java setup instructions, see our Minecraft Modding for Beginners guide.
Step 2: Install Fabric Loader
- Go to fabricmc.net and download the Fabric Installer
- Run the installer
- Select the Minecraft version you want to use (check the version your target server runs)
- Click "Install"
- Open the Minecraft Launcher — you should see a new Fabric profile
- Launch Minecraft once with the Fabric profile to generate the mods folder, then close the game
Need more detail on Fabric installation? Read our full How to Install Fabric Mods guide.
Step 3: Download Meteor Client
- Go to the official Meteor Client website at meteorclient.com
- Click "Download"
- Select the build that matches your Minecraft version
- Save the
.jarfile to a convenient location
Important: Only download Meteor from the official website (meteorclient.com) or their official GitHub repository. Fake Meteor downloads are a common source of malware in the Minecraft community. The official client is open-source and safe.
Step 4: Add Meteor to Your Mods Folder
- Press Win+R, type
%appdata%\.minecraft\mods, and press Enter - If the mods folder does not exist, create it (or launch Fabric once as described in Step 2)
- Move or copy the Meteor Client
.jarfile into the mods folder - Make sure no other client mods are in the folder that might conflict (e.g., other utility clients)
Step 5: Launch and Configure
- Open the Minecraft Launcher and select the Fabric profile
- Click "Play"
- Once in the main menu, you will see the Meteor Client overlay — this confirms the installation worked
- Press the Right Shift key to open the Meteor GUI (module configuration screen)
- Browse through the module categories: Combat, Player, Movement, Render, World, Misc
- Click any module to enable it and configure its settings
First-time setup tips:
- Start by exploring the Render category — enable ESP, Tracers, and Fullbright to get familiar with the interface
- Configure your prefix in Settings → Prefix (default is
.) for in-game commands - Set up profiles to save different module configurations for different servers
Step 6: Install Addons (Optional)
Meteor's real power comes from community addons. To install addons:
- Download the addon
.jarfrom its official source - Place it in the same
.minecraft/modsfolder alongside Meteor - Relaunch Minecraft — the addon's modules appear in Meteor's GUI automatically
Popular addons include Zinc (DonutSMP), Bnana (stealth PvP), and Radon (aggressive PvP). See our complete Best Meteor Client Addons guide for the full list, or compare the top three in our Zinc vs Bnana vs Radon breakdown.
Essential Keybinds
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| Right Shift | Open/close Meteor GUI |
| C | Zoom (if enabled) |
.help in chat |
List all commands |
.bind in chat |
Bind a module to a key |
.toggle [module] |
Toggle a module on/off |
.profile |
Switch between saved profiles |
You can rebind any key in the Meteor GUI under each module's settings.
Troubleshooting
Meteor GUI does not appear after launch
Make sure you selected the Fabric profile (not vanilla or Forge). Check that the Meteor .jar is in the correct mods folder. If you have multiple .minecraft directories (e.g., from third-party launchers), verify you are using the right one.
Game crashes on startup
This is usually caused by version mismatches. Make sure your Minecraft version, Fabric Loader version, and Meteor Client version all match. Remove any other mods from the folder temporarily to isolate the issue.
Modules not working on a server
Many servers have anti-cheat systems that block or detect certain modules. This is expected behavior. Use server-specific addons (like Zinc for DonutSMP) that are designed to bypass particular anti-cheat systems.
"Fabric API is required" error
Meteor Client includes its own Fabric API. If you get this error, you likely have an incompatible version of Fabric API in your mods folder. Remove any standalone Fabric API .jar files — Meteor handles this internally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Meteor Client safe?
Yes. Meteor Client is fully open-source with its code available on GitHub. Download only from the official website (meteorclient.com). The source code is reviewed by the community, making it one of the most transparent clients available.
Is Meteor Client free?
Yes, completely free. There are no premium tiers, subscriptions, or paid features. All functionality is available to everyone.
Will I get banned for using Meteor?
On servers with anti-cheat, using combat or exploit modules can result in bans. On anarchy servers, there is typically no anti-cheat. Use at your own risk and understand each server's rules before enabling modules.
Does Meteor work with Forge?
No. Meteor Client is a Fabric-only mod. It does not work with Forge, NeoForge, or Quilt. You must use Fabric Loader.
Can I use Meteor with other Fabric mods?
Yes. Meteor works alongside most Fabric mods including Sodium, Lithium, and other performance mods. Avoid using other utility/cheat clients at the same time.
For more client recommendations, check our Best Minecraft Client Mods guide.
