Researcher
by Tr100000
Researcher adds a data-driven research system, inspired by Factorio, that locks recipes behind research a team completes in the world.
What it does
Research is defined through data rather than code, and progress is stored per world alongside advancements. A research completes when its criterion is triggered a set number of times, which differs from advancements that finish on a single trigger. The system takes advantage of Minecraft's criteria system, the same mechanism advancements use.
Recipes can be locked behind research, so a player sees a recipe only after finishing the research that gates it. The doLimitedCrafting gamerule is needed for locked recipes to behave as intended, and it is disabled by default. Research progress can be synced between teams across players, which allows shared progression on a server.
The mod builds on Fabric API, Fzzy Config and TrUtils, all three required, and it uses no content of its own beyond the research system, so it works with other mods, datapacks and modpacks. Files target the 26.3.x branch only, with builds covering 1.21.11 – 26.3. Researcher runs on client and server, so the server and every player need it, and it is released under the MIT License, which makes it open source.
Key features
Data-driven research
Researches are defined as data, so pack makers can add their own without writing code.
Recipe locking
Recipes can be locked until a research is complete, shaping the order in which players reach items.
Counted criteria
A research completes after its criterion is triggered a set number of times, unlike advancements that finish on one trigger.
Team research syncing
Research progress is shared between players on a team, so a group advances together.
Per-world progress
Progress is saved per world, alongside advancements, and carries over with the save.
Gallery
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.
Requirements
Dependencies declared by the latest file for each loader.
Required 3
Use cases
Who it’s for: Pack makers and server owners who want a research tree built from data, and players who prefer progression set by research over progression set by advancements alone.
How it compares
Data Tables is a Fabric server-side mod for 1.21.7 – 1.21.8 under the MIT License, where only the server needs it. Journey Creative runs on Fabric and NeoForge for 1.21 – 26.1.2 under the MIT License, and both sides need it. Itematic is a Fabric mod for 1.20.5 – 26.3 under the Apache License 2.0, and both sides need it.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Researcher | Fabric | 1.21.11 – 26.3 | Client and server | 2026-09-25 |
| Data Tables | Fabric | 1.21.7 – 1.21.8 | Server required, client optional | 2025-08-07 |
| Journey Creative | Fabric and NeoForge | 1.21 – 26.1.2 | Client and server | 2026-04-16 |
| Itematic | Fabric | 1.20.5 – 26.3 | Client and server | 2026-10-13 |
Questions
Does Researcher need Fabric API?
Does Researcher have to be installed on both sides?
Why does a locked recipe need doLimitedCrafting?
In the catalog
Researcher is one of 3,514 Library mods on ModsFinder, and one of 2,348 Library mods for Fabric. 8,071 mods support Minecraft 26.3.
More from Tr100000
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What the author says
A (mostly) data-driven research system for Minecraft inspired by Factorio. This mod does nothing on its own, and is meant to be used by other mods, datapacks and modpacks.
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/researcher
- Owner
- Tr100000
- Published
- 2025-12-30
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2026-09-25
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15