HotbarLoader
by jstsxhnn
HotbarLoader lets a player save the current hotbar to a key combination and restore it later, without menus or commands.
What it does
Saving uses a combination of a key and a second key, such as H with J or H with a number key, to store the hotbar under that combination. Restoring uses the matching load key with the same second key, for example K with J. Holding the save key while pressing the second key saves the hotbar, and holding the load key while pressing the same second key restores it, so presets can be kept for different tasks in survival.
When a preset is loaded, only items present in the inventory are placed. Items that are no longer held are skipped, and if the same item appears several times, the largest available stacks are used first, with an attempt to consolidate them into a full stack where possible. Loading only works while no GUI is open and the cursor stack is empty. The mod is a client-side only mod, MIT licensed and not open source, and it is published for Fabric for 1.21.1 – 1.21.11 across 11 release versions, with the latest file 1.0 for 1.21.11 released on 2026-01-12.
Key features
Saved hotbar presets
The current hotbar is stored under a chosen key combination and can be restored at any later time.
Customizable key combinations
Save and load keys can be bound to any combination, with a second key selecting which preset to use.
Partial restore from inventory
Only items the player actually holds are placed, and items that are no longer held are skipped instead of blocking the load.
Stack consolidation
When an item is spread over several slots, the largest stacks are used first and merged where possible.
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
1.21.x11 of 11 versions with builds
Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.
Use cases
Switching between task kits
A player can keep one preset for mining, another for combat and a third for building, and switch between them with a key press.
Who it’s for: Players in survival worlds who swap between several sets of tools or items and want a quick way to restore them.
How it compares
ItemKeybind is Fabric only for 1.21.11 and uses an All rights reserved license, so it is not open source. Drop Stack Keybind is Fabric only for 1.21.11 under the MIT License, not open source. KeybindConfigs covers 1.21 – 1.21.4 under the MIT License and is open source, so it suits an older game version where HotbarLoader has no file. All of these are client-side only, as is HotbarLoader.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HotbarLoader | Fabric | 1.21.1 – 1.21.11 | Client-side only | 2026-01-12 |
| ItemKeybind | Fabric | 1.21.11 | Client-side only | 2026-05-13 |
| Drop Stack Keybind | Fabric | 1.21.11 | Client-side only | 2026-07-29 |
| KeybindConfigs | Fabric | 1.21 – 1.21.4 | Client-side only | 2026-01-29 |
Questions
Does HotbarLoader need to be installed on the server?
Which game versions does HotbarLoader support?
What happens if an item in a saved preset is missing?
In the catalog
HotbarLoader is one of 8,016 Management mods on ModsFinder, and one of 5,930 Management mods for Fabric. 19,862 mods support Minecraft 1.21.11.
More from jstsxhnn
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What the author says
HotbarLoader lets you quickly save your current hotbar and restore it later—no menus, no commands.
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/hotbarloader
- Owner
- jstsxhnn
- Published
- 2026-01-12
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2026-01-12
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15