YetAnotherConfigLib (YACL) Mod (1.21.11) – Configuration Library

YetAnotherConfigLib (YACL) is a builder-based configuration library mod that provides mod developers with a powerful, easy-to-use API for creating in-game settings screens for Minecraft on Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, and Quilt. If you have ever opened a mod's settings menu and appreciated its clean sliders, color pickers, and organized tabs, there is a good chance YACL was the library powering it behind the scenes.

Configuring Minecraft mods has historically been a pain point. Players often had to dig through raw config files hidden in their game folders, manually editing values without any visual feedback. On the developer side, older config libraries like Cloth Config API stagnated, SpruceUI was never purpose-built for configuration, and OwoLib bundled too much unrelated content alongside its config features. YetAnotherConfigLib was created by developer isxander specifically to solve these problems — a focused, modern library that does configuration and does it well. With over 75 million downloads on Modrinth alone, YACL has become one of the most widely adopted utility libraries in the entire Minecraft modding ecosystem, trusted by hundreds of mod developers across every major loader.

Key Features of YetAnotherConfigLib (YACL)

• Custom Control Widgets — YACL lets mod developers create their own unique controller widgets when the built-in set does not fit their needs. This means the mods you install can offer tailored, intuitive settings interfaces instead of forcing every option into a generic text field or toggle. As a player, you benefit from cleaner, easier-to-understand settings screens.
• Rich Descriptions with Image Previews — Each setting can include clickable and hoverable text powered by Minecraft's vanilla Text component system, plus WebP image previews including animated ones. This helps you understand exactly what a setting does before changing it, reducing the guesswork that comes with cryptic option names.
• Multiple Controller Types per Setting — Numbers can appear as sliders or input fields, strings as dropdowns, cyclers, or raw text, and booleans as tickboxes or ON/OFF text displays. This flexibility means mod developers can pick the most natural input method for each setting, making configuration feel intuitive rather than clunky.
• Fully-Featured Color Picker — YACL includes a complete color picker widget built right into the library. Any mod that needs color customization — HUD elements, waypoint markers, overlay tints — can offer a proper visual picker instead of asking you to type hex codes manually.
• Full Keyboard and Controller Accessibility — Every element in a YACL-powered settings screen is fully navigable by keyboard, with specific optimizations for Controlify users. This is a significant accessibility improvement, ensuring players who rely on keyboard or controller input can configure their mods without needing a mouse.
• Organized Tabs and Collapsible Groups — Mods with dozens of settings can organize them into tabbed categories and collapsible groups, keeping the interface clean. Instead of scrolling through one massive list, you can jump between logical sections, find what you need quickly, and collapse everything else out of sight.
• Built-in Serialization and Kotlin DSL — For developers, YACL handles the error-prone work of saving and loading config values automatically, plus offers a full alternative Kotlin DSL. While this is a developer-facing feature, it directly benefits players because it means fewer config-related bugs and crashes in the mods you use.

Screenshots

How to Install YetAnotherConfigLib (YACL)

1. Install your preferred mod loader. YACL supports Fabric, NeoForge, Forge, and Quilt — pick whichever matches the rest of your mod setup.
2. Download the correct YACL file for your Minecraft version and loader from the download section below. Make sure the version matches exactly — a YACL build for 1.21.4 will not work on 1.20.1.
3. Place the downloaded .jar file into your .minecraft/mods folder. If the folder does not exist, launch Minecraft once with your mod loader installed to generate it.
4. Launch Minecraft and confirm YACL appears in your mod list. On Fabric, you can check this through Mod Menu if installed.
5. Install any mods that depend on YACL — they should now detect the library automatically and display their configuration screens without errors.

Requirements & Compatibility

What's New

• YACL 3.9.1 adds official support for Minecraft 26.1 release on Fabric.
• NeoForge and Forge builds for 26.1 are not yet available — Fabric is the first loader to receive the update.
• This is a targeted compatibility update ensuring the library works with the latest Minecraft snapshot cycle.
• No breaking API changes were introduced, so existing mod integrations should continue working as expected.

Pros and Cons

Alternatives to YetAnotherConfigLib (YACL)

• Cloth Config API — The long-standing configuration library for Fabric and Forge, though it is no longer actively receiving new features. Still widely used by older mods that have not migrated to YACL.
• oωo (owo-lib) — A broader utility library that includes configuration support alongside item groups, networking, and UI tools. A good fit if a mod already uses owo for other features, but heavier than a dedicated config library.
• Mod Menu — Not a config library itself, but the standard mod list interface for Fabric that links out to each mod's settings screen. Pairs naturally with YACL to give players easy access to configuration.

Download YetAnotherConfigLib (YACL)

Always download mods from official sources to stay safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need YetAnotherConfigLib if no mod asks for it?

No — YACL is a dependency library, so you only need it when another mod explicitly requires it. That said, many popular mods are adopting YACL, so you may find yourself needing it sooner than expected. It is lightweight and causes no issues sitting idle in your mods folder.

Is YetAnotherConfigLib compatible with Fabric, Forge, and NeoForge at the same time?

Yes — YACL supports Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, and Quilt, but you need to download the correct build for your specific loader. A Fabric build will not work on NeoForge and vice versa. Always match the loader and Minecraft version when downloading.

Does YetAnotherConfigLib affect game performance?

The impact appears to be negligible. YACL is a client-side library that only activates when you open a mod's configuration screen. It does not run background processes during gameplay, so it should not affect your FPS or loading times in any noticeable way.

Can I use YetAnotherConfigLib alongside Cloth Config API?

Yes — both libraries can coexist in the same mods folder without conflicts. Some mods depend on Cloth Config while others use YACL, and having both installed is perfectly fine. They operate independently and do not interfere with each other.

Does YetAnotherConfigLib work on servers?

No — YACL is a client-side only library, as indicated by its environment badge. It handles in-game GUI configuration screens, which only exist on the client. Server-side config files are managed separately by each individual mod's own save/load logic.

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