VirtualKeys
by zenkanay
VirtualKeys lets players build a panel of on-screen keys that trigger game actions with a mouse click, reached from a hotkey in the Controls menu.
What it does
The mod adds virtual keyboard key bindings. A panel overlay opens above any other active screen, and each virtual key on it can be clicked with the mouse to fire the action it is bound to. Clicking a key simulates the matching GLFW key press and release event in the screen underneath, so the game reacts as if the real key were pressed.
Players set up the panel in game. New keys can be added, renamed, deleted and arranged, and each one can be matched to a function such as Freecam or Fast Place. A hotkey bound in the standard Controls menu opens the VirtualKeys Panel. VirtualKeys runs on Fabric and Forge, with files for 1.20.1, 1.21.11 and 26.2, and is open source under the MIT License.
The mod is client-side only, so the server does not need it and players join without installing anything. Fabric builds are at 1.0.1 for 26.2, dated 2026-08-24, and Forge builds are at 1.0.1 for 1.20.1, dated 2026-07-18. The source code and issue tracker are public.
Key features
Virtual key bindings
Keyboard key bindings are added as on-screen keys that can be clicked instead of pressed.
Overlay above other screens
The virtual key panel opens on top of other active GUIs, so keys stay reachable while a screen is open.
Mouse-triggered actions
Clicking a virtual key with the mouse triggers the action bound to it.
In-game key editing
Keys can be added, renamed and deleted from the configuration panel without leaving the game.
Functions matched to keys
Each key can be matched to a function such as Freecam or Fast Place and arranged on the panel.
Hotkey from Controls
A hotkey set in the standard Controls menu opens the VirtualKeys Panel.
Gallery
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.
Use cases
Who it’s for: Players who want keys they can click on screen, and players who use the mouse for functions usually bound to the keyboard.
How it compares
New Visual Keybing is open source under the GNU Lesser General Public License v3.0 only, is client-side only, and covers Fabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt for 1.19 – 26.2. Keyboard Layers is open source under the Mozilla Public License 2.0, is client-side only, and works on Fabric and Forge for 1.18 – 1.19.4. ContextKeys is not open source, is client-side only, and is Fabric-only for 1.21 – 26.2 under the MIT License.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VirtualKeys | Fabric and Forge | 1.20.1 – 26.2 | Client-side only | 2026-08-24 |
| New Visual Keybing | Fabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt | 1.19 – 26.2 | Client-side only | 2026-09-05 |
| Keyboard Layers | Fabric and Forge | 1.18 – 1.19.4 | Client-side only | 2023-11-17 |
| ContextKeys | Fabric | 1.21 – 26.2 | Client-side only | 2026-08-28 |
Questions
Which loaders does VirtualKeys support?
Does VirtualKeys need to be installed on the server?
Can keys be changed after the game starts?
In the catalog
VirtualKeys is one of 8,016 Management mods on ModsFinder, and one of 5,930 Management mods for Fabric. 13,894 mods support Minecraft 26.2.
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Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/virtualkeys
- Owner
- zenkanay
- Published
- 2026-07-09
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2026-08-24
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15