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Iris Shaders

Open-source shader loader for Fabric, NeoForge, and Quilt that runs OptiFine-compatible shader packs with a Sodium-powered rendering pipeline.

By coderbot via Modrinth.

Grand Teton mountain landscape rendered with Continuum 2.0 Redux shader pack running on Iris Shaders
Section
Java Mod
Platform
Java
Versions
v 1.16.5 / 1.17 / 1.17.1 / 1.18 / 1.18.1 / 1.18.2 / 1.19 / 1.19.1 / 1.19.2 / 1.19.3 / 1.19.4 / 1.20 / 1.20.1 / 1.20.2 / 1.20.3 / 1.20.4 / 1.20.5 / 1.20.6 / 1.21 / 1.21.1 / 1.21.2 / 1.21.3 / 1.21.4 / 1.21.5 / 1.21.6 / 1.21.7 / 1.21.8 / 1.21.9 / 1.21.10 / 1.21.11
Last checked
Updated
Sunset scene with volumetric lighting rendered using Complementary Shaders 4.4 on Iris
Sunset scene with volumetric lighting rendered using Complementary Shaders 4.4 on Iris
Wide mountain landscape with sky and terrain rendered using Complementary Shaders on Iris
Wide mountain landscape with sky and terrain rendered using Complementary Shaders on Iris
Crying Obsidian sky rendered with Complementary Shaders 4.4 using Iris Shaders
Crying Obsidian sky rendered with Complementary Shaders 4.4 using Iris Shaders

Iris is a client-side shader loader for Fabric, NeoForge, and Quilt that adds shader pack support to Minecraft Java Edition. It ships with Sodium built in, so the rendering pipeline underneath is already tuned for performance when shaders load. Most OptiFine-compatible shader packs run without modification.

  • Supported loaders: Fabric (1.16.5+), NeoForge (1.21.1+), Quilt
  • Client-only. Install on the client; no server install needed or supported.
  • Ships with Sodium. No separate Sodium install required.
  • No other required dependencies beyond the loader.

Shader pack support

Iris targets compatibility with the OptiFine shader format. Most packs that run on OptiFine load on Iris without changes. Some packs have been updated to use Iris-specific features for additional visual options or better performance; those packs will note Iris support in their own documentation.

Compatibility

Distant Horizons works with shader packs that explicitly support it. Nvidium automatically disables itself while shaders are active and re-enables when they are turned off.

  • OptiFine is incompatible with Iris and will cause crashes. Remove it before installing Iris.
  • Canvas renderer is incompatible with Iris.
  • Vulkan rendering mods are incompatible.
  • Resource packs that rely on core shaders may not render correctly.

Questions about this entry.

  • Is Forge supported?

    Iris supports Fabric, NeoForge, and Quilt. Forge is not supported.

  • Do I need to install Sodium separately?

    No. Iris ships with Sodium built in. No additional Sodium install is needed.

  • Can I use OptiFine alongside Iris?

    No. OptiFine and Iris use incompatible rendering systems and cannot run together. Remove OptiFine before installing Iris.