ModsFinder

[CLOSED] - Reader

by GenMode

With Reader installed, a player who looks at a block or entity sees its name shown in the action bar, and the name can be set through a data tag.

FabricForgeNeoForgeQuiltServer required, client optionalMIT License1.17 – 26.1.2

What it does

Reader displays the name of the block or entity under the player's crosshair in the action bar, the line above the hotbar. The name comes from the block or entity itself, and the mod adds a tag so that a block entity can show a custom displayed name instead. Holding a look at a target updates the line, which helps when several blocks look alike.

Reader needs Data API on every loader, and Fabric API as well on Fabric. The server must run it. A client can leave it out, so players join a Reader server without installing anything, while a client with the mod still gets the displayed name. The mod is released under the MIT License, and it is not open source. Files are published for Fabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt, covering 32 release versions across 1.17 – 26.1.2. The last file for each loader is dated 2026-05-08. The author notes that a datapack version existed but has been discontinued, so only the mod build is current.

Key features

  1. Action bar name display

    The name of the block or entity being looked at appears in the action bar above the hotbar.

  2. Custom displayed names

    A tag on a block entity lets its displayed name be set, so the action bar shows the chosen text.

  3. Entity names

    Entities are named in the action bar in the same way as blocks when the player looks at them.

  4. Lightweight lookup

    The display updates while the player's view moves, without a command or a menu to open.

Compatibility

Latest build for each game version and loader.

26.x3 of 3 versions with builds
26.1.22.1.3+mod2.1.3+mod2.1.3+mod2.1.3+mod
26.1.12.1.3+mod2.1.3+mod2.1.3+mod2.1.3+mod
26.12.1.3+mod2.1.3+mod2.1.3+mod2.1.3+mod
1.21.x12 of 12 versions with builds
1.21.112.1.3+mod2.1.3+mod2.1.3+mod2.1.3+mod
1.21.102.1.3+mod2.1.3+mod2.1.3+mod2.1.3+mod
1.21.92.1.3+mod2.1.3+mod2.1.3+mod2.1.3+mod
1.21.82.1.3+mod2.1.3+mod2.1.3+mod2.1.3+mod
1.21.72.1.3+mod2.1.3+mod2.1.3+mod2.1.3+mod
1.21.62.1.3+mod2.1.3+mod2.1.3+mod2.1.3+mod
1.21.52.1.3+mod2.1.3+mod2.1.3+mod2.1.3+mod
1.21.42.0.4+mod2.0.4+mod2.0.4+mod2.0.4+mod
1.21.32.0.0+mod2.0.0+mod2.0.0+mod2.0.0+mod
1.21.21.3.11+mod1.3.11+mod1.3.11+mod1.3.11+mod
1.21.11.3.9+mod1.3.9+mod1.3.9+mod1.3.9+mod
1.211.3.8+mod1.3.8+mod1.3.8+mod1.3.8+mod
1.20.x7 of 7 versions with builds
1.19.x5 of 5 versions with builds
1.18.x3 of 3 versions with builds
1.17.x2 of 2 versions with builds
ReleaseBetaAlphaNot available

Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.

Requirements

Dependencies declared by the latest file for each loader.

Required 2

Fabric APILightweight and modular API providing common hooks and intercompatibility measures utilized by mods using the Fabric toolchain.
Required
Data APITools to aid in datapack creation
Required

Use cases

Identifying look-alike blocks

A builder working with many similar blocks can read each name before placing it.

Server information

Server owners can name blocks through a tag so players see a clear label while exploring.

Who it’s for: Players and builders who want the name of a block or entity without opening a menu, and server owners who label blocks with a data tag.

How it compares

Full comparison

Name Tag Crafting Recipe is server required and client optional, under All rights reserved, and is not open source; it covers 1.16 – 26.1.1. Craftable Name Tag, by the MIT License, is open source and covers 1.18.2 – 26.1.2 with the same environment. Name Tag Tweaks is server-side only, under All rights reserved, and is not open source, for 1.16.5 – 26.3.

ModLoadersGame versionsEnvironmentUpdated
[CLOSED] - ReaderFabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt1.17 – 26.1.2Server required, client optional2026-05-08
Name Tag Crafting RecipeFabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt1.16 – 26.1.1Server required, client optional2025-07-24
Craftable Name TagFabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt1.18.2 – 26.1.2Server required, client optional2026-04-11
Name Tag TweaksFabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt1.16.5 – 26.3Server-side only2026-10-02

Questions

Which dependencies does Reader need?

Data API is required on every loader, and Fabric API is also required on Fabric. Both must be installed with Reader.

Does every player need Reader installed?

No. Server owners install it, and players can join with or without it.

Is there a datapack version?

The author notes say the datapack version has been discontinued, so the mod build is the one that is maintained.

In the catalog

[CLOSED] - Reader is one of 29,952 Game mechanics mods on ModsFinder, and one of 19,630 Game mechanics mods for Fabric. 15,189 mods support Minecraft 26.1.2.

Game mechanics mods29,952Fabric modsMods for 26.1.215,189

More from GenMode

All projects
Data API1.16 – 26.3Better Babies1.20 – 26.3Vesture1.17 – 1.21.4Recipes Plus1.15 – 26.3[CLOSED] - Stonecutter Salvage1.15 – 1.21.10Caveat1.17 – 1.20.2

Similar mods

Better Third Person1.16.4 – 1.21.8Sounds1.20 – 26.3Cut Through1.18.2 – 26.3Bad Wither No Cookie - Reloaded1.12.2 – 1.21.10Carpet1.14.4 – 26.3Client Tweaks1.12.2 – 26.3

What the author says

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GenMode, on the Modrinth page

Official listing

Owner
GenMode
Published
2024-03-02
Updated on Modrinth
2026-05-08
Facts verified
2026-10-15

Tags

Game mechanicsUtility
Open on ModrinthCompare