ModsFinder

Afar

by linstarowo

Afar caches chunk data received from the server in a local database, so players can keep seeing terrain beyond the server's view distance.

ForgeClient-side onlyMIT LicenseOpen source1.20.1 – 1.20.6

What it does

Afar listens for chunk data packets that the server sends to the client and saves them to a local database. Storage uses an SQLite backend, which the author describes as faster to read and write and producing smaller files than serializing NBT data files. Once cached, chunks can be loaded again without waiting for the server to resend them.

The mod works at the network connection level, intercepting Forge packets on the client. It makes no changes to the game's rendering code, so the author states it should be compatible with rendering optimization mods such as OptiFine, Sodium and Iris, and that it affects chunk caching rather than chunk visuals. World identification for multiplayer servers is provided for VoxelMap, JourneyMap and Xaero's Map, which the author lists as in production.

Afar is a client mod, so servers run without it and players install it alone. SQLite JDBC is required and must be installed alongside it. JourneyMap is optional. Files target Forge for 1.20.1 – 1.20.6, and the code is open source under the MIT License.

Key features

  1. Chunk caching

    Received chunks are stored locally, so terrain already seen can be shown again from the database.

  2. Silent saving

    Chunk data is saved in the background while the player plays, without a visible step.

  3. Config screen

    The config screen opens from a button placed in the settings menu and also from the mod list, and each option comes with a short description of what it controls.

  4. Client-side commands

    Some commands run only on the client and manage the local chunk cache.

Compatibility

Latest build for each game version and loader.

No stable releases
Every published file is a beta or alpha build.
1.20.60.0.5
1.20.50.0.5
1.20.40.0.5
1.20.30.0.5
1.20.20.0.5
1.20.10.0.5
ReleaseBetaAlphaNot available

Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.

Requirements

Dependencies declared by the latest file for each loader.

Required 1

SQLite JDBCSQLite JDBC driver for Forge/Fabric/Spigot
Required

Optional 1

JourneyMapReal-time map used for mapping in-game or your browser as you explore.
Optional

Questions

Does Afar need SQLite JDBC?

Yes. SQLite JDBC is a required dependency, and Afar uses it as its storage backend, so it must be installed alongside Afar.

Does Afar have to be installed on the server?

No. Afar is client-side only, so the server runs without it and players install it on their own client.

Which loader and versions does Afar support?

Afar is published for Forge only, with files for 1.20.1, 1.20.2, 1.20.3, 1.20.4, 1.20.5 and 1.20.6. The latest file is 0.0.5 for 1.20.6, in the beta channel.

More from linstarowo

All projects
illusion1.20.1 – 1.21.1

What the author says

Afar is a faster, lighter chunk caching solution for minecraft, allowing you to see far beyond the server's view distance. Instead of modifying the complex rendering engine, Afar operates at lower level. It works directly on the client's network connection.
linstarowo, on the Modrinth page

Official listing

Owner
linstarowo
Published
2025-09-04
Updated on Modrinth
2025-10-02
Facts verified
2026-10-15
Open on ModrinthCompare