ModsFinder

Item Descriptions

by Cassian

With Item Descriptions, holding Ctrl over a block, item or entity shows a short note on what it is used for.

FabricForgeNeoForgeClient-side onlyMIT LicenseOpen source1.19 – 26.3

What it does

Each vanilla block, item and mob has its own written description, and the descriptions appear in the tooltip when the Ctrl key is held. Generic descriptions also cover many tags, so modded blocks can show a note without a dedicated entry. With Jade installed, blocks and entities show their descriptions in its tooltips too.

Enchantments and mob effects receive descriptions as well, and the Enchanting Table shows them, including reworked table variants. Custom descriptions can be added through a language file in a mod or resource pack, and Mod Descriptions adds entries for modded content. Item Descriptions is open source under the MIT License and is published for Fabric, Forge and NeoForge across 29 release versions, 1.19 – 26.3. The mod runs on the client alone, so players need it and servers do not.

Fabric needs only its API library alongside the mod, while NeoForge needs nothing else. Settings are reachable through Mod Menu on Fabric and through Cloth Config or YACL, and they cover the tooltip key, hints, tooltip colour, an always-on mode and toggles for each description type.

Key features

  1. Ctrl tooltip descriptions

    Holding Ctrl over an item, block or entity displays a short description of its use and source.

  2. Vanilla coverage

    Every vanilla block and item has a written description, and generic descriptions cover many tags.

  3. Enchantment and effect notes

    Vanilla enchantments and mob effects have descriptions, shown in tooltips and on the Enchanting Table.

  4. Configurable display

    The tooltip key, colour, hints, always-on mode and description types can be changed in the settings screen.

Compatibility

Latest build for each game version and loader.

26.x5 of 5 versions with builds
26.32.8.5+26.2-fabricNot available2.8.5+26.2-neoforge
26.22.8.5+26.2-fabricNot available2.8.5+26.2-neoforge
26.1.22.8.5+26.1.2-fabricNot available2.8.5+26.1.2-neoforge
26.1.12.8.5+26.1.2-fabricNot available2.8.5+26.1.2-neoforge
26.12.8.5+26.1.2-fabricNot available2.8.5+26.1.2-neoforge
1.21.x12 of 12 versions with builds
1.21.112.7.2+1.21.11-fabricNot available2.7.2+1.21.11-neoforge
1.21.102.7.2+1.21.10-fabricNot available2.7.2+1.21.10-neoforge
1.21.92.7.2+1.21.10-fabricNot available2.7.2+1.21.10-neoforge
1.21.82.7.2+1.21.8-fabricNot available2.7.2+1.21.8-neoforge
1.21.72.7.2+1.21.8-fabricNot available2.7.2+1.21.8-neoforge
1.21.62.3.0+1.21.6-fabricNot availableNot available
1.21.52.5.1+1.21.5-fabricNot available2.5.1+1.21.5-neoforge
1.21.42.5.1+1.21.4-fabricNot available2.5.1+1.21.4-neoforge
1.21.32.4.0+1.21.1-fabricNot available2.2.1+1.21.1-neoforge
1.21.22.4.0+1.21.1-fabricNot available2.2.1+1.21.1-neoforge
1.21.12.8.0+1.21.1-fabricNot available2.8.0+1.21.1-neoforge
1.212.1.2+1.21.1Not available2.5.1+1.21.1-neoforge
1.20.x7 of 7 versions with builds
1.19.x5 of 5 versions with builds
ReleaseBetaAlphaNot available

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

Fabric APILightweight and modular API providing common hooks and intercompatibility measures utilized by mods using the Fabric toolchain.
Required

Optional 3

Jade 🔍Shows information about what you are looking at. (Hwyla/Waila fork for Minecraft 1.16+)
Optional
Mod MenuAdds a mod menu to view the list of mods you have installed.
Optional
YetAnotherConfigLib (YACL)A builder-based configuration library for Minecraft!
Optional

Required by 1 mod

Field Guide1.20.1 – 26.3

Use cases

Modpack authors

Custom entries can be added or replaced through a language file, so modded content can carry its own text.

Players learning new content

A player can check what an unfamiliar block or enchantment is for without leaving the game to read the wiki.

Who it’s for: Players who want quick in-game notes on blocks, items and enchantments, and modpack authors who want to supply descriptions for custom content.

How it compares

Full comparison

Enchanting Table Descriptions is a Fabric-only mod for 1.19 – 1.19.3, released under the MIT License and open source. Effect Insights is open source under the Mozilla Public License 2.0 and covers Fabric, Forge and NeoForge for 1.18.2 – 26.3, and it adds effect descriptions rather than the Ctrl tooltips used here. Limited Enchantments needs the server, so players connect without installing it, while Item Descriptions is client-side only and is not open source under a license of that kind.

ModLoadersGame versionsEnvironmentUpdated
Item DescriptionsFabric, Forge and NeoForge1.19 – 26.3Client-side only2026-10-06
Enchanting Table DescriptionsFabric1.19 – 1.19.3Client-side only2023-02-03
Effect InsightsFabric, Forge and NeoForge1.18.2 – 26.3Client-side only2026-09-26
Limited EnchantmentsFabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt1.21.2 – 26.3Server required, client optional2026-09-22

Questions

Does Item Descriptions need Fabric API?

Yes on Fabric, where Fabric API is the only required dependency. On NeoForge the mod has no dependencies.

Does the server need Item Descriptions?

No. The mod is client-side only, so the server can run without it and each player installs it alone.

Can Jade show Item Descriptions text?

Yes. With Jade installed, blocks and entities show their descriptions in its tooltips when Ctrl is held.

Which versions does Item Descriptions cover?

Files exist for 29 release versions, 1.19 – 26.3, and the latest Fabric and NeoForge files target 26.3.

In the catalog

Item Descriptions is one of 36,990 Utility mods on ModsFinder, and one of 25,772 Utility mods for Fabric. 8,071 mods support Minecraft 26.3.

Utility mods36,990Fabric modsMods for 26.38,071

More from Cassian

All projects
Farmer's Delight Refabricated1.20.1 – 26.3ClickThrough Plus1.18.2 – 26.3Alloyed1.19.2 – 26.3Reliable Recipe Viewer (RRV)1.21.8 – 26.3Villager Trading Plus1.20 – 26.3Immersive Overlays1.19 – 26.3

Similar mods

Mod Menu1.14.4 – 26.3Reese's Sodium Options1.16.5 – 26.3Jade 🔍1.16.4 – 26.3Zoomify (Zoom)1.18 – 26.3FancyMenu1.12 – 26.3Indium1.16.5 – 1.21.1

What the author says

This mod adds a unique description to all blocks, items, and entities that is displayed when pressing the Ctrl key. These descriptions sum up what it can be used for, its source, and/or any other useful info. It strikes a compromise between not knowing anything about an item and constantly checking the Minecraft Wiki…
Cassian, on the Modrinth page

Official listing

Owner
Cassian
Published
2024-06-17
Updated on Modrinth
2026-10-06
Facts verified
2026-10-15

Tags

UtilityGame mechanicsManagement
Open on ModrinthCompare