TCDCommons API is a utility library mod that provides a shared GUI framework, JSON-based configuration system, and modding hooks for Minecraft, supporting Fabric, NeoForge, Forge, and Quilt mod loaders. Developed by TheCSDev, it serves as a dependency required by several popular mods to function correctly.
If you have ever tried to install a Minecraft mod only to hit a crash screen telling you a required library is missing, you already understand the problem TCDCommons API solves. Library mods exist so that mod developers do not have to reinvent the wheel every time they need a config screen, a custom GUI element, or a hook into Minecraft's internal events. TheCSDev built TCDCommons as a personal modding toolkit and then open-sourced it for the community. With over 11 million downloads on Modrinth alone, it has quietly become one of the more widely-used backend libraries in the Minecraft modding ecosystem — even if most players never interact with it directly.
Key Features of TCDCommons API
- Robust GUI Framework — TCDCommons ships its own GUI system built around the
TScreenclass, giving mod developers a consistent way to create in-game menus and config screens. For players, this means that any mod relying on TCDCommons will have stable, well-structured settings interfaces rather than clunky homegrown solutions. A unified GUI layer also reduces the chance of visual glitches when multiple mods try to render overlapping screens. - JSON-Based Configuration System — Instead of forcing each mod to write its own config parser, TCDCommons provides a standardized JSON config handler out of the box. This makes it easier for players to manually tweak settings in a readable text format if they prefer editing files over using in-game menus. It also means fewer config-related bugs across mods that share this library.
- Modding Hooks and Events — The library exposes additional hooks into Minecraft's internal systems that are not available through the vanilla modding APIs alone. Mod developers can listen for specific game events — such as rendering passes or input changes — without writing low-level mixins from scratch. The result for players is smoother mod interactions and fewer conflicts between mods that need to tap into the same game systems.
- Cross-Loader Compatibility — TCDCommons supports Fabric, NeoForge, and Quilt, meaning mod developers can write their code once and target multiple platforms. For players, this reduces the frustration of discovering that a mod they want is only available on one loader. The latest releases even handle both Fabric and NeoForge simultaneously in a single build.
- Architectury API Integration — By building on top of the Architectury API, TCDCommons leverages an established abstraction layer for cross-platform modding. This dependency ensures that the library stays compatible with the broader modding ecosystem and benefits from Architectury's own updates and fixes.
- Active Development Since 2022 — First published in November 2022, TCDCommons has been continuously updated through March 2026 with support for Minecraft versions ranging from 1.20 all the way to 26.1. This consistent maintenance track record gives both developers and players confidence that the library will keep pace with future Minecraft updates.
Screenshots
How to Install TCDCommons API
- Install a compatible mod loader. TCDCommons supports Fabric, NeoForge, Minecraft Forge, or Quilt — choose whichever your other mods require.
- Download and install Architectury API, which is a required dependency for TCDCommons to function on Fabric and NeoForge.
- If you are using Fabric, make sure you also have Fabric API installed. On NeoForge, no additional dependencies are required.
- Download the correct TCDCommons API file for your Minecraft version and mod loader from the download section below.
- Place the downloaded
.jarfile into your.minecraft/modsfolder and launch the game. TCDCommons will load automatically as a background library.
Requirements & Compatibility
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Mod Loaders | Fabric, NeoForge, Forge, Quilt |
| Minecraft Versions | 1.20 – 1.20.6, 1.21 – 1.21.11, 26.1 |
| Required Dependencies | Architectury API; Fabric API (Fabric only) |
| License | TCDCommons API License (custom) |
| Source Code | Open source on GitHub |
What's New
- Restored NeoForge support — the latest release now handles both Fabric and NeoForge simultaneously in a single build.
- Fabric API remains a required dependency on Fabric, while NeoForge requires no additional dependencies.
- Cross-platform builds simplify installation by reducing the number of separate files to track per Minecraft version.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Supports all four major mod loaders — Fabric, NeoForge, Forge, and Quilt
- Actively maintained with frequent updates tracking new Minecraft releases
- Open source with a public issue tracker on GitHub
- Over 11 million downloads, proving wide community trust and adoption
- Standardized GUI and config systems reduce bugs across dependent mods
Cons
- Provides no visible features to players on its own — purely a developer library
- Requires Architectury API as an additional dependency, adding one more jar to manage
- Uses a custom license rather than a standard open-source license like MIT or GPL
- Quilt support appears limited to Minecraft 1.21.5–1.21.10, not all versions
Alternatives to TCDCommons API
- Fabric API — The official core library for Fabric mods, providing essential hooks and events that most Fabric mods depend on for basic functionality.
- Architectury API — A cross-platform abstraction layer that lets developers write mods for Fabric and NeoForge from a single codebase, and is itself a dependency of TCDCommons.
- Cloth Config API — A widely-used configuration screen library for Minecraft mods, offering an alternative GUI-based config system for developers who need settings menus.
Download TCDCommons API
| Minecraft Version | Fabric | NeoForge | Quilt |
|---|---|---|---|
| For Minecraft 26.1 | Download | Download | — |
| For Minecraft 1.21.11 | Download | Download | — |
| For Minecraft 1.21.10 | Download | Download | Download |
| For Minecraft 1.21.9 | Download | Download | Download |
| For Minecraft 1.21.8 | Download | Download | Download |
| For Minecraft 1.21.7 | Download | — | Download |
| For Minecraft 1.21.6 | Download | — | Download |
| For Minecraft 1.21.5 | Download | — | Download |
| For Minecraft 1.21.4 | Download | — | Download |
| For Minecraft 1.21.3 | Download | — | Download |
| For Minecraft 1.21.2 | Download | — | Download |
| For Minecraft 1.21.1 | Download | — | Download |
Always download mods from official sources to stay safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need TCDCommons API if no other mod requires it?
No — TCDCommons API is a developer library with no player-facing features. You only need to install it when another mod explicitly lists it as a dependency. Installing it on its own will not add any new items, blocks, or gameplay changes to your world.
Is TCDCommons API compatible with Minecraft 26.1?
Yes — the latest release supports Minecraft 26.1 on both Fabric and NeoForge. The developer restored NeoForge compatibility in the most recent update, so both loader platforms are covered for the newest Minecraft version.
Does TCDCommons API affect game performance?
The mod appears to be lightweight since it only loads shared utility code that other mods call on demand. Library mods like TCDCommons generally do not run active processes in the background, so the performance footprint is minimal compared to content-adding mods.
Can I use TCDCommons API on Quilt?
Yes — Quilt is supported for Minecraft versions 1.21.5 through 1.21.10 based on available releases. However, the most recent builds for Minecraft 26.1 and 1.21.11 currently only list Fabric and NeoForge as supported loaders, so Quilt users on those versions should check for updates.
Is TCDCommons API open source?
Yes — the full source code is publicly available on GitHub at TheCSDev's repository. However, it uses a custom license (TCDCommons API License) rather than a standard open-source license, so developers should review the terms before forking or redistributing the code.
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