Bobby
by Johni0702
Bobby keeps chunks the server has already sent, so a player can see terrain beyond the server's view-distance setting.
What it does
Each chunk received from the server is recorded and stored in the .minecraft/.bobby folder. When a chunk falls outside the server's view-distance, Bobby loads the saved copy and displays it, which extends the visible area past what the server itself sends. Chunks that were never received stay unavailable unless the optional fallback is used.
The fallback reads an existing single player world to supply chunks the server has never sent. It is enabled by renaming that world's folder, not its display name, to bobby-fallback. Bobby reloads its config file automatically whenever the file changes. An in-game config screen requires Cloth Config API and Mod Menu, both optional dependencies, and Sodium is also listed as optional.
Published for Fabric only, across 35 release versions for 1.16.2 – 26.3, Bobby runs client-side only. The GNU Lesser General Public License v3.0 only covers its open source code, which is public together with an issue tracker. Its latest Fabric file is 5.2.16+mc26.3 for 26.3, dated 2026-10-06.
Key features
Stored chunk rendering
Chunks sent by the server are saved locally and drawn again once they fall outside the server's view-distance.
Single player fallback
An existing world folder named bobby-fallback can supply chunks the server has never sent.
Automatic config reload
Changes to the config file take effect without restarting the game.
Optional config screen
Mod Menu and Cloth Config API provide an in-game screen for editing the settings.
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.x5 of 5 versions with builds
1.19.x4 of 4 versions with builds
1.18.x3 of 3 versions with builds
1.17.x2 of 2 versions with builds
1.16.x4 of 4 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.
Optional 3
Required by 4 mods
Use cases
Long-distance exploration
Players on a server with a low view-distance can look at terrain they have already travelled past.
Offline viewing of a server world
Chunks saved earlier remain on disk, so the saved part of the map can be seen again later.
Who it’s for: Players who join servers with a restricted view-distance and want to see more of the terrain they have already received.
How it compares
[DRD] Dynamic Render Distance is Fabric-only, client-side only and published for 1.18.2 – 1.21.11 under All rights reserved, so it adjusts the render distance rather than storing chunks. View Distance Command is Fabric-only, client-side only and published for 1.21.5 – 1.21.8 under All rights reserved. Render Distance Toggle is Fabric-only, client-side only, open source under the MIT License and published for 1.21.8 – 1.21.11.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bobby | Fabric | 1.16.2 – 26.3 | Client-side only | 2026-10-06 |
| [DRD] Dynamic Render Distance | Fabric | 1.18.2 – 1.21.11 | Client-side only | 2026-03-24 |
| View Distance Command | Fabric | 1.21.5 – 1.21.8 | Client-side only | 2025-06-27 |
| Render Distance Toggle | Fabric | 1.21.8 – 1.21.11 | Client-side only | 2025-12-20 |
Questions
Does Bobby need Fabric API?
Does Bobby have to be installed on the server?
How is the single player fallback enabled?
Can the settings be changed in game?
More from Johni0702
What the author says
Bobby is a Minecraft mod which allows for render distances greater than the server's view-distance setting. It accomplishes this goal by recording and storing (in.minecraft/.bobby) all chunks sent by the server which it then can load and display at a later point when the chunk is outside the server's view-distance.
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/bobby
- Owner
- Johni0702
- Published
- 2021-01-01
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2026-10-06
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15