Screenshot 1 of 4. A night city of blocky buildings with lit windows under a starry sky, shown with the Derivative shader pack.
What Derivative works with.
| Platform | Java Edition |
|---|---|
| Loaders | Iris, OptiFine |
| Minecraft versions | 1.20.1, 1.21.11, 26.1.1, 26.2 |
Derivative is a realistic shader pack for Java, made by DureXXX with Skeeder461 as co-author. It runs on Iris and OptiFine. People searching for derivative shaders will find the Returned Classic Derivative main pack here, which its page describes as realistic visuals with great optimization.
Shader loaders and versions
- Iris and OptiFine: Minecraft 1.20.1 to 26.2.
How to install Derivative with Iris or OptiFine
- 1.Install Iris (on Fabric or NeoForge) or OptiFine.
- 2.Place the Derivative .zip in the shaderpacks folder without unpacking it.
- 3.Open Video Settings, then Shader Packs, and select Derivative.
The general steps are covered in how to install shaders on Java. If the pack does not appear or the screen stays vanilla, this troubleshooting guide covers the usual causes.
Updates and trade-offs
The newest file is Derivative v26.0.0b1, released on 2026-10-07. The b1 tag in its name suggests an early stage, and it needs no other mod beyond the shader loader. Update notes are kept in the changelogs, and the creator runs a Discord for news, polls and bug reports.
Bliss or Derivative shader comparison
Questions about Derivative.
2 questions
How do I install Derivative shaders?
Install Iris on Fabric or NeoForge, or install OptiFine. Put the Derivative .zip into your shaderpacks folder, then open Video Settings, choose Shader Packs and select Derivative. The newest file lists no extra required mods, so the shader loader is the only prerequisite.
Can I use Derivative on Bedrock?
No. Derivative is a Java pack that needs Iris or OptiFine, and neither runs on Bedrock. Bedrock packs use a separate format, so a Java shader zip will not load there. Look for a pack made for that platform instead.
