Overview

Nows is a Minecraft Java mod loader project and a stable wrapper layer for mod authors.

It sits between a mod and Minecraft so common mod-facing calls can stay the same when the same mod moves across supported game versions. Each mc/<version> adapter owns the translation from Nows values into that version’s real Minecraft API.

Nows is not a performance-first loader and it does not promise that every port will be automatic. The goal is practical portability: fewer repeated files, smaller adapter diffs, and helpers that come from real mod development needs.

Current Release

The current public docs track Nows Loader 0.6.2 with Minecraft 26.2 as the newest target.

The installer currently offers adapters for 26.2, 26.1.2, 1.21.11, 1.21.1, 1.20.6, 1.20.1, 1.19.4, 1.19.2, 1.18.2, 1.17.1, 1.16.5 and 1.16.4. Check the Change page for what each Nows release added.

Nows uses official Mojang development names. The runtime is not a Java agent and does not rely on premain or java.lang.instrument; class transformation is handled by the loader class path and integration modules.

Good Fits

• Metadata and lifecycle setup.
• Stable registry specs for common content.
• Config screens, keybinds, tick callbacks and small client conveniences.
• Text, vectors, item stacks, commands, datapack targets, NBT, generated data, resource lookup and recipe display metadata.
• Codebases that still keep detailed Minecraft behavior in normal Minecraft classes.

Not A Replacement For Minecraft APIs

Nows owns the stable wrapper boundary where the same call can reasonably work across versions: metadata parsing, entrypoint bootstrapping, registry specs, simple UI hooks, config surfaces, text, vectors, item stacks, commands, datapack targets and NBT payloads. It is not meant to hide block behavior, world simulation, rendering internals, recipe validation, screen layout logic or mod-specific networking protocol design.

When a Minecraft class is the clearest tool, use it directly. The adapter APIs are designed to make that direct use less repetitive, not to prevent it.

Direction

• Release support by Minecraft version.
• Grow the API around real porting work.
• Keep common Nows MC calls stable across supported adapters.
• Keep detailed block, item, recipe, screen, world and mixin behavior in the mod.