How to Install Quilt Mods (Step-by-Step Guide 2026)

Want to install Quilt mods in Minecraft but not sure how to get started? Quilt is a mod loader that forked from Fabric in 2021, and while it is not as widely used as Fabric or Forge, it offers its own approach to mod loading with a focus on community governance and modular libraries. This step-by-step guide walks you through the full setup — from downloading the Quilt Installer to verifying your mods load correctly. The whole process generally takes about five to ten minutes, but there is one critical step that trips up nearly every new Quilt user: installing Quilted Fabric API (QFAPI). Without it, most of the mods you want to use simply will not work.

If you are not sure what Quilt is or how it relates to Fabric, our What Is Quilt? explainer covers the background. Already set up but running into problems? Jump to our Quilt Mods Not Working troubleshooting guide.

What You Need Before Starting

• Minecraft Java Edition — purchased from minecraft.net or the Microsoft Store
• Java 21 or newer — required for Minecraft 1.20.5 and later. The Minecraft Launcher typically bundles a compatible version, but if you are running the installer manually you may need to install Java yourself.
• A Minecraft Launcher — the official Minecraft Launcher, Prism Launcher, or MultiMC all support Quilt profiles

Make sure you have launched vanilla Minecraft at least once for the version you plan to mod. This creates the necessary game files that the Quilt Installer needs to detect your installation.

Step 1: Download the Quilt Installer

1. Go to the official Quilt website at quiltmc.org/en/install
2. Download the Universal Installer (.jar file) — this works on Windows, macOS, and Linux
3. Save the file somewhere easy to find, like your Desktop

Tip: If double-clicking the .jar file does not open the installer, open a terminal or command prompt and type java -jar quilt-installer.jar. This usually resolves the issue.

Step 2: Run the Quilt Installer

1. Open the Quilt Installer
2. Make sure the "Client" tab is selected
3. Choose the Minecraft version you want to mod (for example, 1.21.4)
4. Leave the Loader version on the default (latest stable)
5. Click "Install"
6. You should see a success message confirming the installation

The installer creates a new profile in your Minecraft Launcher named something like "quilt-loader-X.X.X". You will select this profile later when launching the game. If you are using Prism Launcher or MultiMC, you can also create a new Quilt instance directly from within the launcher.

Step 3: Install Quilted Fabric API (QFAPI)

This is the most important step in this entire guide, and the one most new Quilt users miss. Quilted Fabric API (QFAPI) is the compatibility layer that allows Quilt to run most Fabric mods. Since the vast majority of mods you will want to use on Quilt are actually Fabric mods, QFAPI is effectively mandatory.

1. Go to Quilted Fabric API / Quilt Standard Libraries on Modrinth
2. Select the version that matches your Minecraft version
3. Click "Download" to get the .jar file
4. Place the downloaded .jar in your .minecraft/mods/ folder

Why is QFAPI necessary? Quilt has its own API called Quilt Standard Libraries (QSL), but it also bundles a compatibility layer for Fabric API. Most Fabric mods depend on Fabric API to function. Without QFAPI installed, those Fabric mods will either silently fail to load or crash the game on startup. Think of QFAPI as the bridge between Quilt and the Fabric mod ecosystem.

Important: You do not need to install Fabric API separately when using Quilt. QFAPI includes Fabric API compatibility. Installing both QFAPI and Fabric API can actually cause conflicts.

Step 4: Download Quilt-Compatible Mods

With QFAPI installed, you can now download mods. Here is where to find them:

1. Browse mods on Modrinth (filtered by Quilt) — Modrinth has a dedicated Quilt filter that shows mods explicitly marked as Quilt-compatible
2. You can also browse Fabric mods on Modrinth — most Fabric mods work on Quilt via QFAPI, even if they do not explicitly list Quilt support
3. For each mod, verify it supports your specific Minecraft version
4. Download the .jar file for each mod

A few popular mods to start with:

• Sodium — widely used performance mod (Fabric, works on Quilt via QFAPI)
• Iris Shaders — shader support alongside Sodium (Fabric, works on Quilt via QFAPI)
• Mod Menu — in-game mod list and configuration (Fabric, works on Quilt via QFAPI)

For a full curated list, see our Best Quilt Mods guide, which distinguishes between Quilt-native mods and Fabric mods running through compatibility.

Step 5: Place Mods in the Mods Folder

All mod .jar files go in the mods folder inside your Minecraft directory. The location depends on your operating system:

• Windows: %appdata%\.minecraft\mods\
• macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/minecraft/mods/
• Linux: ~/.minecraft/mods/

If the mods folder does not exist, create it manually. Make sure you are placing .jar files directly in the folder — not inside a subfolder, and not .zip files.

Note: If you are using Prism Launcher or MultiMC with a separate instance, each instance has its own mods folder. Right-click the instance and select "Open Minecraft Folder" to find the correct location.

Step 6: Launch Minecraft and Verify

1. Open your Minecraft Launcher
2. Select the Quilt profile (it should be named something like "quilt-loader-X.X.X")
3. Click Play
4. Once the game loads, check the main menu — if you installed Mod Menu, you will see a "Mods" button showing all loaded mods

If mods are not appearing or the game crashes, do not worry. The most common cause is a missing or incorrect QFAPI version. See our Quilt Mods Not Working troubleshooting guide for step-by-step fixes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Forgetting QFAPI — this is the number one mistake. Without Quilted Fabric API, Fabric mods will not load on Quilt.
• Installing both QFAPI and Fabric API — you only need QFAPI when using Quilt. Installing both can cause conflicts.
• Version mismatch — make sure your mods, QFAPI, and Quilt Loader all target the same Minecraft version.
• Using Forge mods — Forge mods are not compatible with Quilt. Only Quilt-native and Fabric mods (via QFAPI) work on Quilt.
• Launching the wrong profile — make sure you select the Quilt profile in your launcher, not the vanilla or Fabric profile.

Other Mod Loader Guides

Using a different mod loader? Check out these installation guides:

• How to Install Forge Mods
• How to Install Fabric Mods
• How to Install NeoForge Mods
• Fabric vs Quilt — Fabric's community fork explained

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Fabric mods with Quilt?

Yes, most Fabric mods work on Quilt when you have Quilted Fabric API (QFAPI) installed. QFAPI provides a compatibility layer that translates Fabric API calls for the Quilt loader. However, not every Fabric mod is guaranteed to work — some mods that hook deeply into Fabric's internals may have issues. In practice, the majority of popular Fabric mods appear to work without problems.

What is Quilted Fabric API (QFAPI)?

QFAPI is a component of Quilt Standard Libraries that provides backward compatibility with Fabric API. It allows Fabric mods to run on the Quilt loader without modification. You can download it from Modrinth — it is bundled together with QSL (Quilt Standard Libraries) as a single download.

Is Quilt better than Fabric?

That depends on what you value. Quilt and Fabric share a similar technical foundation, and most Fabric mods work on both loaders. Quilt was created due to governance and community management disagreements, and it offers its own modular API (QSL). However, Fabric has a significantly larger community, more mod developers, and faster adoption of new features. For most players, the practical difference is small. Our What Is Quilt? guide covers the comparison in more detail.

Do I need Java installed to use Quilt?

The Minecraft Launcher typically bundles a compatible Java version for running the game. However, you may need Java installed separately to run the Quilt Installer itself. For Minecraft 1.20.5 and later, Java 21 or newer is required.

Can I switch from Fabric to Quilt without reinstalling mods?

Generally, yes. If you already have Fabric mods in your .minecraft/mods/ folder, you can install Quilt and add QFAPI, and most of those mods should continue to work. Just make sure to remove the standalone Fabric API jar and replace it with QFAPI to avoid conflicts.

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