Chat Tweaks
by Rime
Chat Tweaks changes how the chat window looks and behaves, adding timestamps, highlights and a longer input limit for the chat box.
What it does
Timestamps can be shown beside chat lines, and they can be grouped inside a set time frame so that bursts of messages do not repeat the same stamp. The time frame and the text, background and format colors are all configurable. Chat can also be set to appear only while the chat screen is open or while the mouse cursor hovers over the chat box.
Highlights mark messages that mention the player, and the mod removes the small white line that appears beside a message indicator, which otherwise shifts the chat slightly. The input limit is raised, but messages longer than 256 characters are still cut to 256 when sent to a server, which expects no more than that. Almost every feature can be switched off, and settings can be returned to the Minecraft defaults.
Chat Tweaks is client-side only, so only the client needs it and servers run without it. Installation requires Fabric API, Fabric Language Kotlin and YetAnotherConfigLib (YACL) on Fabric. The mod is published for Fabric across 1.21.2 – 1.21.4 and is open source under the MIT License.
Key features
Chat timestamps
Unintrusive timestamps appear next to chat lines, with grouping that reduces noise in busy conversations.
Configurable chat display
Text color, background color and format can be set, and the chat box shows only while the chat screen is open or the cursor hovers over it.
Message highlights
Chat lines that contain the player's name or other configured text are marked so they stand out.
Layout and input limit
The white message indicator line is removed, the gap it leaves is filled, and the chat input limit is increased.
Gallery
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.
Required 3
Optional 1
Use cases
Who it’s for: Players who want more control over how chat looks and reads, on any client that runs Fabric 1.21.2 – 1.21.4.
How it compares
TimestampBro is client-side only, published for Fabric 1.21.11 – 26.3 and released under All rights reserved, so it is not open source. Upgraded Chat is client-side only, open source under the GNU General Public License v3.0 only, and published for 1.21.5. ColorMessage is also client-side only and open source under the GNU General Public License v3.0 only, covering 1.21 – 1.21.5.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chat Tweaks | Fabric | 1.21.2 – 1.21.4 | Client-side only | 2025-01-23 |
| TimestampBro | Fabric | 1.21.11 – 26.3 | Client-side only | 2026-09-17 |
| Upgraded Chat | Fabric | 1.21.5 | Client-side only | 2025-06-01 |
| ColorMessage | Fabric | 1.21 – 1.21.5 | Client-side only | 2025-05-04 |
Questions
Does Chat Tweaks need to be installed on the server?
What does Chat Tweaks require?
Why are long messages still cut off?
In the catalog
Chat Tweaks is one of 36,990 Utility mods on ModsFinder, and one of 25,772 Utility mods for Fabric. 17,979 mods support Minecraft 1.21.4.
More from Rime
Similar mods
What the author says
Almost all of these features can be toggled on or off. For those that can't be toggled, their values can be changed to effectively turn them off/default back to minecraft's values.
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/chat-tweaks
- Owner
- Rime
- Published
- 2024-11-08
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2025-01-23
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15