Better Highlighting
by shurik204
With Better Highlighting, the command text in a chat or console input gets colored by its syntax, and the colors follow a TextMate theme.
What it does
Better Highlighting colors Minecraft commands the way a code editor colors source code. Syntax highlighting is driven by TextMate grammars, so each token type gets its own color from the active theme. Custom theme grammars can be supplied through resource packs, which lets a pack author change how commands look without touching the mod. The bracket pair colorization option gives matching brackets their own colors so nested arguments are easier to follow.
The mod is a client-side tool for players who write long commands, build with command blocks on a single-player world, or edit command text often. It includes built-in themes such as Ayu Dark, Catppuccin Frappe and Dark Plus, and it exposes an API that other mods can use to register their own highlighting. The source code and issue tracker are public, and the code is published under the GNU General Public License v3.0 only.
Fabric API is required, and the mod is published for Fabric only, with builds covering 1.20.1 – 26.3. The latest Fabric file, 0.3.1, targets 26.3 and was published on 2026-09-22. Only the client needs it, so servers do not have to install anything.
Key features
TextMate-based highlighting
Commands are tokenized with TextMate grammars, so the coloring follows real grammar rules rather than simple keyword matching.
Theme support
Several built-in color themes are included, and the active theme can be switched to match the rest of the interface.
Resource pack grammars
Custom theme and grammar files can be added through resource packs, so pack authors can restyle command text.
Bracket pair colorization
Matching brackets receive paired colors, which makes nested command arguments easier to read at a glance.
API for other mods
Other mods can hook into the highlighter through a public API to add their own command grammars.
Gallery
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
26.x5 of 5 versions with builds
1.21.x12 of 12 versions with builds
1.20.x6 of 6 versions with builds
Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.
Requirements
Dependencies declared by the latest file for each loader.
Required 1
How it compares
LilyLib is a library for Fabric and Quilt, released under the MIT License, that runs on the client or the server, with files for 1.19 – 1.20.1. HotbarAPI is a Fabric library covering 1.20.1 – 1.21.10 that the client requires while the server stays optional, and it is not open source. Better Highlighting is client-side only, open source under the GNU General Public License v3.0 only, and targets Fabric with files for 1.20.1 – 26.3, so it covers a different job from either of these.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Better Highlighting | Fabric | 1.20.1 – 26.3 | Client-side only | 2026-09-22 |
| LilyLib | Fabric and Quilt | 1.19 – 1.20.1 | Client or server, optional | 2023-06-18 |
| HotbarAPI | Fabric | 1.20.1 – 1.21.10 | Client required, server optional | 2025-10-01 |
Questions
Does Better Highlighting need Fabric API?
Does a server need Better Highlighting installed?
Can a player add custom colors or grammars?
In the catalog
Better Highlighting is one of 3,514 Library mods on ModsFinder, and one of 2,348 Library mods for Fabric. 8,071 mods support Minecraft 26.3.
More from shurik204
Similar mods
What the author says
Improved syntax highlighting for Minecraft commands with theme support using TextMate.
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/better-highlighting
- Owner
- shurik204
- Published
- 2024-06-04
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2026-09-22
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15