What Default Options works with.
| Platform | Java Edition |
|---|---|
| Loaders | Fabric, NeoForge, Forge |
| Minecraft versions | 1.17.1, 1.18.2, 1.19.4, 1.20.6, 1.21.11, 26.1.2, 26.2, 26.3 |
| Environment | Client, Server |
Default Options is a default options mod for modpack authors on Fabric, NeoForge and Forge. It ships starting settings, keybinds and a server list with a pack, so an update never overwrites what players changed. It is tagged for both client and server, and it needs Balm installed alongside it.
Loaders and versions
- Fabric: Minecraft 1.17.1 to 26.3. The newest build requires Fabric API and Balm; builds for 1.20.4 to 1.21.4 require Fabric API and Balm (Outdated Versions); builds for 1.17.1 to 1.20.2 require Balm (Outdated Versions).
- NeoForge: Minecraft 1.20.2 to 26.3. The newest build requires Balm; builds for 1.20.2 to 1.20.4 need no dependencies.
- Forge: Minecraft 1.17.1 to 1.21.11. The newest build requires Balm.
What problem it solves
Shipping an options.txt in a modpack resets every player's settings on each update. Default Options replaces that file with a defaultoptions folder. New installs start from your defaults, and later updates leave player changes in place.
Setting up defaults for a pack
- 1.Configure the options, keybinds and server list the way you want them shipped.
- 2.Join any world and run /defaultoptions saveAll. The files land in a defaultoptions folder inside the config folder, and they stay there.
- 3.Leave the root options.txt and servers.dat out of the pack.
- 4.Distribute the config/defaultoptions folder with the pack. Fresh installs with no existing options.txt start from it.
What it covers
- Keybinds set by the pack become new defaults, so player rebinds persist across updates.
- The server list is pre-populated from the pack, and player edits survive updates.
- The defaultResourcePacks option takes resource pack IDs in selection order and applies them once on first run, tracked in defaultoptions.journal.json. Keep that journal file out of the pack.
- Files placed in config/defaultoptions/extra are copied into the game folder on startup.
- OptiFine and Vivecraft options files are supported by default, so commands such as /defaultoptions saveOptions include them.
Questions about Default Options.
4 questions
What does the Default Options mod do?
It lets modpack developers ship default options, keybinds and a server list without including an options.txt. New players start from your defaults, and later modpack updates do not override changes they made themselves.
How do I save default options for a modpack?
Set up your options, keybinds and server list, join any world and run /defaultoptions saveAll. The files are written to config/defaultoptions. Ship that folder with the pack and leave the root options.txt and servers.dat out.
Does Default Options work with Fabric, Forge and NeoForge?
Yes, it has builds for all three loaders. Each build needs a loader matching your Minecraft release, and most need Balm installed. Fabric builds for newer releases also need Fabric API.
Can Default Options set resource packs?
Yes. The defaultResourcePacks config option takes resource pack IDs in selection order. They replace the player's selected packs once on first run, tracked through defaultoptions.journal.json, which should not be shipped in the pack.
