CLab
by CipherXOR
CLab is a client-side optimization mod that skips rendering entities hidden behind terrain, using GPU occlusion queries.
What it does
During entity rendering, CLab submits each entity's bounding box as a GPU occlusion query. The GPU compares that box against the depth buffer of terrain already drawn, and an entity whose box has no pixels passing the depth test is not rendered. The query result is read back from the previous frame, which keeps the check off the critical path of the current frame.
Because the test runs on the GPU rather than being approximated on the CPU, CLab aims to avoid the false positives that CPU-side culling can produce. Its approach is hardware occlusion culling applied at the render-layer level, and it includes built-in leaf face culling. The author describes the mod as working out of the box without configuration. CLab automatically selects its optimal method during loading.
The mod runs only on the client, so only the client needs it. It is open source under the GNU Lesser General Public License v3.0 only, and files target 1.20 – 1.21.1 across Fabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt. Fabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt files are all at version 26.3.1, published 2026-05-04 on the beta channel.
Key features
GPU occlusion queries
Each entity's bounding box is tested against the depth buffer of terrain already rendered, so hidden entities are skipped.
Previous-frame query results
The visibility result is read from the previous frame, so the test does not stall the current frame's rendering.
Built-in leaf face culling
Faces of leaf blocks that players cannot see are culled as part of the same rendering pass.
Automatic method selection
The mod picks its rendering method when the game loads, so no manual configuration is needed.
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 the client side who want to reduce entity rendering cost on any supported loader. Servers do not need the mod.
How it compares
Brute Force Culling Revamped is client-side only, open source under the GNU Lesser General Public License v3.0 or later, and published for Fabric and NeoForge on 1.21.1. Entity Culling is client-side only, not open source, and published for Forge on 1.12.2 – 1.16.5. Cull Leaves is client-side only and open source under the MIT License, covering 1.16 – 26.3 on Fabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt, and it targets leaf culling rather than entity visibility.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLab | Fabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt | 1.20 – 1.21.1 | Client-side only | 2026-05-04 |
| Brute Force Culling Revamped | Fabric and NeoForge | 1.21.1 | Client-side only | 2026-08-18 |
| Entity Culling | Forge | 1.12.2 – 1.16.5 | Client-side only | 2025-08-27 |
| Cull Leaves | Fabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt | 1.16 – 26.3 | Client-side only | 2026-10-10 |
Questions
Does CLab need to be installed on the server?
Which loaders does CLab support?
Does CLab work on older game versions?
In the catalog
CLab is one of 3,545 Optimization mods on ModsFinder, and one of 2,575 Optimization mods for Fabric. 32,366 mods support Minecraft 1.21.1.
More from CipherXOR
Similar mods
What the author says
CLab is a client-side rendering optimization mod. It leverages GPU OpenGL occlusion queries to determine entity visibility directly, eliminating the approximation errors and side effects inherent to traditional CPU-side pathtracing. The current approach was chosen to maintain compatibility with older devices and…
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/clab
- Owner
- CipherXOR
- Published
- 2026-05-01
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2026-05-04
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15