Chat
by Patina
Chat is a Forge client mod for Minecraft 1.8.9 and 1.12.2 that restyles the in-game chat window with a customizable background and text shadow.
What it does
The mod changes how chat looks on the client. Players can set the background of the chat window and the shadow drawn behind its text, and blank messages can be hidden so they do not take up lines. A modern chat position is available on 1.8.9 only.
Chat bundles OneConfig, so its settings are edited in a configuration screen rather than in a file. Only the client needs the mod, so servers run without it and players can join without installing anything. The code is open source under the GNU Lesser General Public License v3.0 or later, and the source is published.
Files target 1.8.9 and 1.12.2, with 0.1.1-alpha.1+1.12.2-forge as the latest build, dated 2026-06-07 on the alpha channel. Snapshot builds are not part of the catalog entry.
Key features
Chat background
The background behind the chat window can be customized, so the box can be made more or less opaque to suit the HUD.
Text shadow
The shadow drawn under chat text can be changed, which helps lines stay readable over busy backgrounds.
Hidden blank messages
Messages that contain no visible text are filtered out, so empty lines do not push real messages upward.
Modern chat position
A modern chat position is offered, available on 1.8.9 only, and it moves the chat window to a different spot on screen.
Configuration screen
Settings are grouped in a screen powered by the bundled OneConfig library, opened from the mod menu.
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.
Requirements
Dependencies declared by the latest file for each loader.
Embedded 1
Use cases
Readable chat on busy maps
Players in crowded or bright areas can raise the background opacity and adjust the shadow so messages stay legible.
Cleaner chat log
Hiding blank messages keeps the chat window showing only lines with text in it.
Who it’s for: Players on Forge who want a more adjustable chat window on 1.8.9 or 1.12.2 and do not need to change anything on the server.
How it compares
HitSpan is a Forge and Ornithe client mod for 1.8.9 – 1.12.2 with the same client-side environment, but its license is All rights reserved, so its source is not open. Legacy Chunk Borders (Forge) is a client-side mod for 1.8.9 only, released under the MIT License and open source, and it shows chunk boundaries instead of changing chat. Packtils is also a 1.8.9-only Forge client mod under the MIT License and open source, with utility functions rather than chat changes.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chat | Forge | 1.8.9 – 1.12.2 | Client-side only | 2026-06-07 |
| HitSpan | Forge and Ornithe | 1.8.9 – 1.12.2 | Client-side only | 2026-10-08 |
| Legacy Chunk Borders (Forge) | Forge | 1.8.9 | Client-side only | 2024-06-24 |
| Packtils | Forge | 1.8.9 | Client-side only | 2025-08-22 |
Questions
Does Chat need to be installed on the server?
Which game versions does Chat support?
Does Chat require any other mod?
In the catalog
Chat is one of 36,990 Utility mods on ModsFinder, and one of 14,575 Utility mods for Forge. 2,920 mods support Minecraft 1.12.2.
More from Patina
Similar mods
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/chat-oneconfig
- Owner
- Patina
- Published
- 2025-04-25
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2026-06-07
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15