Auto Tool Swap
by LukeMCPE
Auto Tool Swap is a Forge client mod for 1.12.2 that switches to the fastest tool automatically when a player left-clicks a block.
What it does
When a player starts mining, the mod compares the actual mining speed of each item in the inventory and selects the one that breaks the block fastest, rather than matching tool types such as pickaxe, axe or shovel. This removes the need to switch between tools by hand during large excavation work where dirt, stone and gravel are mixed together, so attention can stay on building.
The mod is client-side only, so a server does not need it and players can join without installing anything. The configuration is available through an in-game menu, and the selection can be limited to the hotbar or extended to the whole inventory. Auto Tool Swap is published for Forge and 1.12.2 only, with one file, version 1.0, dated 2026-01-26. The code is All rights reserved and is not open source.
Key features
Instant tool swapping
The tool with the highest mining speed in the search area is placed in the main hand at the moment a block is left-clicked.
Speed-based selection
Each item is judged by its mining speed on the block, so the fastest option is chosen even when its type differs.
Hotbar-only search
The search can be restricted to the hotbar, or allowed to reach the entire inventory, through the config menu.
Creative mode filter and efficiency check
Players can choose whether the swap works in creative mode and whether it switches only when a faster tool is found.
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.
Use cases
Mixed-material excavation
Digging through layers of dirt, stone and gravel, where the right tool changes often, without stopping to switch.
Who it’s for: Players building or mining in 1.12.2 who work through large areas with mixed block types and want tool changes handled automatically.
How it compares
Random Swap is a Forge mod for 1.19 – 1.19.3 that runs on client and server together and is open source under the GNU General Public License v3.0 only. Column-Quick-Swap is a Forge mod for 1.20.1 – 1.20.6 under the MIT License that is not open source. Auto Attack Port is a client-side Forge mod for 1.20.1 under the CC0 1.0 Universal license. Auto Tool Swap covers only 1.12.2 and is not open source, so it fits a single older version rather than the newer ranges.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auto Tool Swap | Forge | 1.12.2 | Client-side only | 2026-01-26 |
| Random Swap | Forge | 1.19 – 1.19.3 | Client and server | 2024-12-23 |
| Column-Quick-Swap | Forge | 1.20.1 – 1.20.6 | Not published | 2026-01-29 |
| Auto Attack Port | Forge | 1.20.1 | Client-side only | 2026-10-15 |
Questions
Does Auto Tool Swap need to be installed on the server?
Can the swap use tools from the whole inventory?
Does Auto Tool Swap work with modded tools?
In the catalog
Auto Tool Swap is one of 29,952 Game mechanics mods on ModsFinder, and one of 13,316 Game mechanics mods for Forge. 2,920 mods support Minecraft 1.12.2.
More from LukeMCPE
Similar mods
What the author says
Instant Swapping: Automatically switches to the best tool the moment you left-click a block. Performance Based: Instead of just looking for tool types, the mod calculates the actual mining speed for every item in your inventory and selects the absolute fastest one.
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/auto-tool-swap
- Owner
- LukeMCPE
- Published
- 2026-01-26
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2026-01-26
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15