HotSwap
by iso2t
HotSwap selects the right tool from the hotbar as the player switches between mining, chopping, digging and fighting, and it is a client-side mod.
What it does
When the player picks up a block or targets an entity, HotSwap moves the matching item into the hand without any manual inventory work. It relies on the item tags built into Minecraft to decide which tool fits the current action, so the choice follows what the player is doing at that moment.
A toggle key, bound to a default key that can be changed, turns the swapping on and off during play. Priority rules can be adjusted in the settings, which lets a player decide which tools should win when several fit the same action. The mod is lightweight and does not change how the world or other players behave.
Installation needs the loader build that matches the game version, copied into the mods folder and launched with a Fabric or NeoForge profile. HotSwap is client-side only, so servers do not need it. It is released under the MIT License and is open source. Files cover 1.20.6, 1.21, 1.21.1, 1.21.4, 1.21.5, 26.1, 26.1.1 and 26.1.2, with 1.4.2 for 26.1.2 as the latest file for both loaders.
Key features
Automatic tool selection
The right tool moves into the hand as the player mines, chops, digs or fights, with no extra clicks.
Context-aware swapping
The swap depends on the target in front of the player, so a sword is chosen for a mob and a pickaxe for stone.
Customizable priority
The order in which tools are preferred can be set, so a favored weapon or tool is picked first when several match.
On-the-fly toggle
A configurable key turns the swapping on or off during play without restarting the game.
Built-in item tags
Matching relies on Minecraft's own item tags, so modded tools that follow those tags are handled as well.
Gallery
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.
Required by 1 mod
Use cases
Who it’s for: Players who spend long sessions switching between many tools and want the hotbar managed for them. The mod is for single-player and multiplayer clients, and it changes nothing on the server.
How it compares
Context Tool Swapping runs on Fabric and NeoForge, is client-side only and covers 1.20 – 26.3, and its license is the MIT License. Swap Helper is client-side only on Fabric, covers 1.21 – 26.1.2 and is released under All rights reserved. Auto Totem Swaper is for Fabric under the MIT License, but it is client and server, so servers need it too.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HotSwap | Fabric and NeoForge | 1.20.6 – 26.1.2 | Client-side only | 2026-04-16 |
| Context Tool Swapping | Fabric and NeoForge | 1.20 – 26.3 | Client-side only | 2026-05-17 |
| Swap Helper | Fabric | 1.21 – 26.1.2 | Client-side only | 2026-10-11 |
| Auto Totem Swaper | Fabric | 1.21 – 1.21.11 | Client and server | 2026-03-18 |
Questions
Does HotSwap need to be installed on the server?
Which loaders does HotSwap support?
Is HotSwap required by any other mod?
In the catalog
HotSwap is one of 17,631 Equipment mods on ModsFinder, and one of 8,894 Equipment mods for Fabric. 15,189 mods support Minecraft 26.1.2.
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What the author says
HotSwap is a lightweight, client-side Minecraft mod that automatically selects the optimal tool or weapon in your hotbar based on what you’re doing—be it mining, chopping, fighting, or digging. By leveraging Minecraft’s built-in item tags, HotSwap ensures you always have the right tool in hand without manual…
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/hotswap
- Owner
- iso2t
- Published
- 2024-06-06
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2026-04-16
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15