Compact Chat
by caoimhe
Compact Chat removes duplicate messages from the chat window, and a configuration screen controls how repeated lines are merged.
What it does
Repeated lines in the chat are collapsed into a single entry, so a message that appears many times stays readable. The mod offers several options for how duplicates are detected and displayed, and they can be changed in its configuration screen.
By default, messages that begin with a timestamp are left untouched, because a timestamp makes each line unique. The "Ignore first characters count" setting tells the mod to skip a set number of leading characters when comparing messages, which lets timestamped lines be compacted too. The option is changed inside the configuration screen, which requires Mod Menu to open.
Cloth Config API is a required dependency and must be installed alongside the mod on Fabric or NeoForge. Mod Menu is optional but needed to reach the settings screen. Compact Chat is a client-side only mod, so only the player's game needs it; servers can run without it. Builds cover 1.17.1 – 1.21.11, the files are released under the MIT License, and the source code is open source.
Key features
Duplicate message merging
Identical chat lines are combined into one entry that shows how many times the message was sent.
Timestamp-aware comparison
Leading characters such as a timestamp can be skipped, so lines that differ only by time still count as duplicates.
Configuration screen
Behavior is adjusted through a settings screen that opens from Mod Menu, with options for the duplicate rules.
Snapshot support
Builds are published for snapshot versions of the game as well as release versions.
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
1.21.x12 of 12 versions with builds
1.20.x4 of 4 versions with builds
1.19.x3 of 3 versions with builds
1.18.x3 of 3 versions with builds
1.17.x1 of 1 version with builds
This mod also publishes snapshot builds. Snapshots are not shown in the matrix.
Requirements
Dependencies declared by the latest file for each loader.
Required 1
Optional 1
Use cases
Busy multiplayer chat
Players on busy servers can read past spam, such as repeated join messages or command replies, without scrolling through every copy.
Timestamped chat
Players who use a timestamp mod can still compact repeated lines by adjusting the ignored-characters setting.
Who it’s for: Players who want a shorter chat log on Fabric or NeoForge, especially those who also run a timestamp mod.
How it compares
Timestamp Chat is a Fabric, Forge and Quilt mod for 1.15.2 – 1.21.4, client-side only and open source under the MIT License. Timestampd is a NeoForge mod for 1.21 – 1.21.1, also client-side only and open source under the MIT License. TimestampBro is a Fabric mod for 1.21.11 – 26.3, client-side only, released under All rights reserved and not open source.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compact Chat | Fabric and NeoForge | 1.17.1 – 1.21.11 | Client-side only | 2025-07-18 |
| Timestamp Chat | Fabric, Forge and Quilt | 1.15.2 – 1.21.4 | Client-side only | 2023-07-26 |
| Timestampd | NeoForge | 1.21 – 1.21.1 | Client-side only | 2024-08-14 |
| TimestampBro | Fabric | 1.21.11 – 26.3 | Client-side only | 2026-09-17 |
Questions
Does Compact Chat need Cloth Config API?
Why are messages with timestamps not compacted by default?
Does the server need Compact Chat?
In the catalog
Compact Chat is one of 36,990 Utility mods on ModsFinder, and one of 25,772 Utility mods for Fabric. 19,862 mods support Minecraft 1.21.11.
More from caoimhe
Similar mods
What the author says
Compact Chat is a Minecraft mod that removes duplicate messages from your chat with many options for customization. Compact Chat aims to be compatible with other mods, especially those which add timestamps to the start of messages.
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/compact-chat
- Owner
- caoimhe
- Published
- 2021-08-28
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2025-07-18
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15