ShadowChat
by KrripeYT
ShadowChat is a Fabric server mod that replaces default chat and tablist formatting with configurable rank prefixes, colored nicknames and an anti-spam filter.
What it does
On a server running ShadowChat, chat messages, the tab player list and the header and footer are all formatted from templates the server owner edits. Message formats accept vanilla color codes, gradient hex colors, click and hover events, and PlaceholderAPI placeholders, so a rank prefix or a player's nickname can appear in chat and in the tablist with the same styling. Join, leave and death messages use the same color-parseable templates with placeholders.
The mod works alongside the permission system: ranks are defined without a fixed limit, each with its own permission checks, and LuckPerms prefixes can be shown directly in the tablist format. Players can set a colored nickname that carries over into chat and the tablist. Spam is checked with a sliding-window counter, and a configurable word list triggers warnings and, when set, punishments. ShadowChat also includes a spy chat option for staff who need to read messages.
It requires Fabric API, Fabric Language Kotlin, LuckPerms and Text Placeholder API. ShadowChat is server-side only, so players join without installing it. Files are published for Fabric across 12 release versions, and the latest is 1.4-fixes for 1.21.11. The code is licensed under the GNU General Public License v3.0 only, and the project is not open source.
Key features
Rank prefixes per rank
Each rank can have its own prefix line, and any number of ranks can be defined with permission hooks.
Custom tablist
The tablist header, footer and per-player format are set in the config, including LuckPerms prefixes and nicknames.
Anti-spam and bad-word filter
A sliding-window check limits repeated messages, and a configurable list of words triggers warnings and optional punishments.
Rich chat formatting
Gradient hex colors, vanilla color codes, click and hover events and placeholders can be combined in one message format.
Join, leave and death messages
These messages use templates with placeholders, so their wording and colors can be changed without code.
Gallery
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
1.21.x12 of 12 versions with builds
Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.
Requirements
Dependencies declared by the latest file for each loader.
Required 4
How it compares
KindlyTAB is open source under the MIT License, server-side only and published for 1.21.1, so it covers the tablist but not chat formatting or moderation. Autonickname is open source under the Mozilla Public License 2.0, server-side only and built for 1.21.5, and it concentrates on nicknames. TabsCore is server-side only for 1.21 – 26.2, but it is not open source and uses All rights reserved. ShadowChat covers a wider set of chat tools and has files for its own release range.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ShadowChat | Fabric | 1.21 – 1.21.11 | Server-side only | 2026-08-08 |
| KindlyTAB | Fabric | 1.21.1 | Server-side only | 2026-06-16 |
| Autonickname | Fabric | 1.21.5 | Server-side only | 2025-06-01 |
| TabsCore | Fabric | 1.21 – 26.2 | Server-side only | 2026-07-10 |
Questions
Does ShadowChat need LuckPerms?
Does every player need ShadowChat installed?
Which game versions does ShadowChat support?
In the catalog
ShadowChat is one of 5,392 Social mods on ModsFinder, and one of 4,084 Social mods for Fabric. 19,862 mods support Minecraft 1.21.11.
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Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/shadowchat
- Owner
- KrripeYT
- Published
- 2025-07-29
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2026-08-08
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15