Mods/Forge

Minecraft Forge is a free, open-source modding API and loader designed to simplify compatibility between community-created game mods in Minecraft: Java Edition. The end-user (player) must play the version of Minecraft that Forge was downloaded for before it can be used. For example, Forge 1.12 will need the 1.12 version of Minecraft in order to run correctly. Forge can then be used from the Play drop-down in the Minecraft launcher.

Forge and Fabric mods
The majority of modern mods use Forge and Fabric in order to be added to vanilla Minecraft, some mods that support Forge are listed on its website.

Forge mods only work with Forge. Forge processes mods differently than Modloader, so only certain mods can work with the two.

The user may want to see if the mod they want supports Forge.

Windows:

On Windows the mods folder is located in the directory .minecraft\mods and is generated after Forge is run at least once. To reach the directory, type %appdata% and open .minecraft into the search box or Run (Windows: Windows key + R).

macOS:

On macOS the mods folder is located in the directory ~/Library/Application Support/minecraft and is generated after Forge has run at least once. To reach the directory, press Command key + Shift key + G while a Finder window is selected and enter ~/Library/Application Support/minecraft.

Linux:

On linux the mods folder is located in the directory ~/.minecraft and is generated after Forge is run at least once. To reach the directory on Ubuntu press the Control key + H in the home directory and the minecraft folder should be revealed.

Installing Forge mods
In order to install and use mods in the game using Forge, the software may be downloaded from https://files.minecraftforge.net/. Forge mods can be used on any version on Java Edition 1.1 or above, and Forge are strongly recommended to be kept up to date. Forge does not have a user interface itself.