message-api
by DrexHD
Message API gives Fabric and Quilt servers a way to send translatable, configurable and colorful chat messages with placeholders, and it runs server-side only.
What it does
Messages are stored as JSON files, so server owners can change their wording in the config folder without touching code. A mod ships its own messages folder inside its resources and adds one JSON file per language code, with the same layout as the included test mod example. Mod developers call the provided LocalizedMessage methods to get a text instance that behaves like any vanilla text component.
Special text parsing is handled through PlaceholderAPI, and the author credits that project for the parsing functionality. The library does not bundle PlaceholderAPI, so it has to be installed alongside the mod for placeholders to resolve. Message identifiers should begin with the mod ID to avoid clashes between mods that define messages.
The mod is open source under the MIT License and is maintained by DrexHD. Source code, an issue tracker and a wiki are public. It is published for Fabric and Quilt across 15 game versions, 1.21 – 26.1.2, with snapshot builds available, and the latest file for both loaders is 0.3.5+26.1 for 26.1.2, released 2026-03-25.
Key features
Translatable messages
Each message is tied to a language file, so a server can present the same text in several languages.
Colorful configurable text
Message styling and wording are edited in a JSON file under the config folder, with no rebuild needed.
Placeholder parsing
Placeholders in messages are resolved through PlaceholderAPI, which the author credits for the parsing.
Developer methods
LocalizedMessage provides methods that return text instances usable like vanilla Minecraft text.
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
26.x3 of 3 versions with builds
1.21.x12 of 12 versions with builds
This mod also publishes snapshot builds. Snapshots are not shown in the matrix.
How it compares
Text Placeholder API is a Fabric and Quilt mod that works on either side, and neither side needs it, under the GNU Lesser General Public License v3.0 only, published for 1.17 – 26.3. Rich Translatable Text is a Fabric and Forge mod that has to run on both the client and the server under the MIT License, with files for 1.20.1 – 1.20.6. Message API is server-side only and open source under the MIT License, covering 1.21 – 26.1.2 on Fabric and Quilt.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| message-api | Fabric and Quilt | 1.21 – 26.1.2 | Server-side only | 2026-03-25 |
| Text Placeholder API | Fabric and Quilt | 1.17 – 26.3 | Client or server, optional | 2026-09-09 |
| Rich Translatable Text | Fabric and Forge | 1.20.1 – 1.20.6 | Client and server | 2026-01-21 |
Questions
Does Message API need PlaceholderAPI installed?
Does a player need to install Message API?
Which loaders does Message API support?
Where are the messages edited?
In the catalog
message-api is one of 3,514 Library mods on ModsFinder, and one of 2,348 Library mods for Fabric. 15,189 mods support Minecraft 26.1.2.
More from DrexHD
Similar mods
What the author says
A simple server-side message API for Fabric. It allows for translatable messages, with text parsing using PlaceholderAPI, which can be customized with ease by end users. Message-api doesn't bundle placeholder-api, you have to bundle a compatible of it as well. Replace [TAG] with the respective versions.
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/message-api
- Owner
- DrexHD
- Published
- 2025-01-07
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2026-03-25
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15