Shrimple is a lightweight shader pack for Minecraft Java that keeps the vanilla look intact while layering in optional lighting effects. Built for Iris and OptiFine, it adds ray-traced colored lighting, block-light and sun shadows, and glass tinting on top of the default aesthetic, so scenes still read as vanilla with softer light and depth. The pack covers 1.16.5 through 1.21.4 and is a small download, which makes it easy to try alongside heavier shaders.
How to install Shrimple with Iris or OptiFine
- 1.Install a shader loader: Iris (bundled with the Fabric-based Iris installer) or OptiFine for your Minecraft version.
- 2.Launch Minecraft once with the shader loader active so the shaderpacks folder is created.
- 3.Download the Shrimple .zip from its Modrinth project page. Keep it zipped.
- 4.Open Options, Video Settings, Shader Packs (OptiFine) or the Shader Packs screen (Iris), then click the folder button to open shaderpacks.
- 5.Move the Shrimple .zip into that folder, return to the game, and select Shrimple from the list.
Effects and settings
Shrimple leans on the default palette rather than a stylized color grade, so the world stays recognizable. Its extras are opt-in through the shader settings menu, which lets you scale the look and the GPU cost to your setup.
- Ray-traced colored lighting from torches, lanterns, and colored light sources.
- Block-light and hand-light shadows for closer, contact-style lighting.
- Optional sun and moon shadows with adjustable sharpness.
- Glass-tinted lighting so stained glass colors the light that passes through it.
- FXAA and waving plants for smoother edges and subtle motion without leaving the vanilla feel.
Performance and compatibility
The base preset is deliberately light, which is why Shrimple suits players who want a subtle upgrade rather than a full realistic overhaul. Turning on ray-traced shadows and colored lighting raises GPU load, so the frame rate depends on which effects you enable. Shrimple is a client-side shader for Java Edition only, and it does not run on Bedrock or on the server.
Shrimple in action
Shrimple shaders showcase and settings
Questions about this entry.
How do I install Shrimple shaders?
Install Iris or OptiFine for your Minecraft version, launch the game once, then open the Shader Packs screen and click the folder button to open the shaderpacks folder. Drop the Shrimple .zip in without unzipping it, return to the game, and select Shrimple from the shader list.
Does Shrimple work with Iris and OptiFine?
Yes. Shrimple supports both the Iris and OptiFine shader loaders on Minecraft Java, so you can run it with whichever setup you already use.
Which Minecraft versions does Shrimple support?
Shrimple covers a wide range of Java releases, from 1.16.5 up to 1.21.4, so it works on most modern and several older versions when paired with a matching Iris or OptiFine build.
Is Shrimple good for low-end PCs?
The base preset is lightweight and stays close to vanilla, which makes it a reasonable choice on modest hardware. The ray-traced colored lighting and shadows are the heavy features, so lower-end GPUs should keep those off to hold a steady frame rate.
Does Shrimple change the vanilla look?
Shrimple keeps the default Minecraft palette and style rather than applying a stylized color grade. It adds lighting, shadows, and glass tinting on top of the vanilla look instead of replacing it, so builds still read as vanilla with softer, more dimensional light.
