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ForgeGradle
What it is
ForgeGradle is a Gradle plugin and Minecraft mod development framework used by Forge and FML. Its documentation focuses on establishing a mod development environment, not teaching Java, Groovy or Gradle. Setup requires a Java Development Kit and familiarity with an integrated development environment. Commands are provided to generate run configurations for Eclipse, IntelliJ IDEA and Visual Studio Code; configurations can set arguments, working directories, task names, environment properties and system properties. Forge supplies client, server, data and gameTestServer run types. Developers can select a human-readable mapping set and use a reobf task to convert a mod JAR to SRG mappings for production. Dependencies can come from repositories or a local flat directory and are wrapped with fg.deobf before use. An optional Jar-in-Jar system bundles selected dependencies inside a mod JAR and writes metadata during the build. Documentation covers Minecraft versions 1.12 through 1.19, as well as 1.19.4. The documented stable and snapshot mapping sets are typically incomplete and are no longer available as of Minecraft 1.17. ForgeGradle is free, runs on Linux, macOS and Windows, and the repository identifies its license as LGPL-2.1.
For and against
For
- Supports Forge and FML mod development.
- Provides run configurations for three named IDEs.
- Can bundle selected dependencies with Jar-in-Jar.
- Runs on Linux, macOS and Windows.
Against
- Requires a Java Development Kit and IDE familiarity.
- Documentation does not teach Java, Groovy or Gradle.
- Default mapping sets are typically incomplete.
- Those mapping sets are unavailable as of Minecraft 1.17.
The verdict
ForgeGradle supplies configuration, mapping and dependency tools for Forge and FML mod projects. Developers will need prior Java and IDE familiarity, and should note the stated mapping-set limitations.
Who it suits
ForgeGradle suits developers setting up Minecraft mods for Forge or FML who already have a JDK and IDE familiarity. It is not intended as a general Java, Groovy or Gradle tutorial.
Plans and prices
ForgeGradle
No pricing or usage limits stated
Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Audience
- The documentation describes setting up a development environment for Minecraft mod development.docs.minecraftforge.net · read 4 Oct 2026
- Bundled dependencies
- The optional Jar-in-Jar system bundles selected dependencies inside a mod JAR and writes metadata during the build.docs.minecraftforge.net · read 4 Oct 2026
- Compatibility limit
- The documented default stable and snapshot mapping sets are typically incomplete and are no longer available as of Minecraft 1.17.docs.minecraftforge.net · read 4 Oct 2026
- Dependency support
- Mod dependencies can be added through repositories or a local flat directory, and are wrapped with fg.deobf before use.docs.minecraftforge.net · read 4 Oct 2026
- Distribution
- The docs show adding the MinecraftForge Maven repository and the net.minecraftforge.gradle plugin to a Gradle build.docs.minecraftforge.net · read 4 Oct 2026
- Documentation scope
- The ForgeGradle documentation says it covers ForgeGradle and is not a Java, Groovy, or Gradle tutorial.docs.minecraftforge.net · read 4 Oct 2026
- Forge run types
- Forge provides client, server, data, and gameTestServer run configurations.docs.minecraftforge.net · read 4 Oct 2026
- IDE support
- The guide provides commands to generate run configurations for Eclipse, IntelliJ IDEA, and Visual Studio Code.docs.minecraftforge.net · read 4 Oct 2026
- License
- The ForgeGradle GitHub repository identifies its license as LGPL-2.1.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Mappings
- ForgeGradle lets users choose a human-readable mapping set and converts the mod JAR to SRG mappings for production with a reobf task.docs.minecraftforge.net · read 4 Oct 2026
- Prerequisite
- The setup guide requires a Java Development Kit and familiarity with an integrated development environment.docs.minecraftforge.net · read 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- ForgeGradle is a Gradle plugin and Minecraft mod development framework used by Forge and FML.docs.minecraftforge.net · read 4 Oct 2026
- Run configurations
- ForgeGradle run configurations can set arguments, working directories, task names, environment properties, and system properties.docs.minecraftforge.net · read 4 Oct 2026
