Chat Highlighting
by QWERTZexe
Chat Highlighting marks chat lines that contain keywords the player sets in the configuration, so matching messages stand out in the chat window.
What it does
Keywords entered in the configuration are matched against incoming chat, and each matching line is drawn in a chosen color, with optional formatting such as bold. A word field takes several keywords separated by a delimiter, and its syntax supports exact matches and words to exclude. Highlighting can also apply to the player's own messages when that option is switched on, and a setting controls whether earlier messages are highlighted again after a change.
The mod is a client-side utility for Forge 1.8.9 and runs only on the player's own game, so servers need nothing installed and players on any server can use it. It is released under the GNU Affero General Public License v3.0 only, is open source, and its source code and issue tracker are public. The current file is 1.1 for 1.8.9, published on 2025-07-27, the same day the project was last updated. Forge is the only loader covered, and no other loader or game version has files.
Key features
Keyword highlighting
Words set in the configuration are colored in the chat window wherever they appear in a message.
Word field syntax
The word field accepts a delimited list, so several keywords can be entered in one setting.
Color and formatting
Each keyword gets a color code and optional formatting codes that apply to its matching lines.
Own messages
A toggle lets highlighting apply to the player's messages as well as incoming chat.
Reprocess earlier messages
A setting controls whether messages already in the chat are highlighted again after the configuration changes.
Gallery
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.
Use cases
Who it’s for: Players on Forge 1.8.9 who read a busy chat and want keywords marked in it. The mod is aimed at the client, so it suits single-player and multiplayer players alike, and server owners have no setup to do.
How it compares
Chat Highlight & Sound is a Fabric, Forge and NeoForge mod for 1.20.1 – 26.3 that also plays a sound, and it is released under All rights reserved, so it is not open source. NoSelfControl is a Forge 1.8.9 client mod under The Unlicense, which makes it open source, but it is aimed at the player's own messages rather than keyword coloring. Chat Highlighting covers only Forge 1.8.9.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chat Highlighting | Forge | 1.8.9 | Client-side only | 2025-07-27 |
| Chat Highlight & Sound | Fabric, Forge and NeoForge | 1.20.1 – 26.3 | Client-side only | 2026-10-15 |
| NoSelfControl | Forge | 1.8.9 | Client-side only | 2023-06-26 |
Questions
Which loader does Chat Highlighting need?
Does the server need Chat Highlighting installed?
Can keywords be set for the player's own messages?
Where can the source code be found?
In the catalog
Chat Highlighting is one of 5,392 Social mods on ModsFinder, and one of 1,817 Social mods for Forge. 955 mods support Minecraft 1.8.9.
More from QWERTZexe
Similar mods
What the author says
Highlight keywords in the Minecraft chat! ## Installing - Get the most recent RELEASE - Launch forge 1.8.9 with the mod - Run /highlighting to configure
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/chat-highlighting
- Owner
- QWERTZexe
- Published
- 2024-02-03
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2025-07-27
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15