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ForgeGradle

docs.minecraftforge.net

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Spec score 7.8 #14 of 35 in Minecraft Mod Development Tools

What it is

ForgeGradle is a free Gradle plugin and Minecraft mod development framework used with Forge and FML. Its documentation focuses on setting up a mod development environment, not teaching Java, Groovy or Gradle. Setup requires a Java Development Kit and familiarity with an integrated development environment. The guide provides commands to generate run configurations for Eclipse, IntelliJ IDEA and Visual Studio Code. Configurations can specify arguments, working directories, task names, environment properties and system properties; Forge supplies client, server, data and gameTestServer run types. Developers can select human-readable mappings and use a reobf task to convert a mod JAR to SRG mappings for production. Dependencies can be sourced from repositories or a local flat directory and wrapped with fg.deobf. An optional Jar-in-Jar system bundles selected dependencies and records metadata during the build. The documentation covers Minecraft versions 1.12 through 1.19, plus 1.19.4. Its default stable and snapshot mappings are typically incomplete and are no longer available as of Minecraft 1.17. The repository identifies the license as LGPL-2.1.

Spec sheet

Purpose
ForgeGradle is a Gradle plugin and Minecraft mod development framework used by Forge and FML.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.minecraftforge.net
Audience
The documentation describes setting up a development environment for Minecraft mod development.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.minecraftforge.net
License
The ForgeGradle GitHub repository identifies its license as LGPL-2.1.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Bundled dependencies
The optional Jar-in-Jar system bundles selected dependencies inside a mod JAR and writes metadata during the build.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.minecraftforge.net
Compatibility limit
The documented default stable and snapshot mapping sets are typically incomplete and are no longer available as of Minecraft 1.17.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.minecraftforge.net
Dependency support
Mod dependencies can be added through repositories or a local flat directory, and are wrapped with fg.deobf before use.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.minecraftforge.net
Distribution
The docs show adding the MinecraftForge Maven repository and the net.minecraftforge.gradle plugin to a Gradle build.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.minecraftforge.net
Documentation scope
The ForgeGradle documentation says it covers ForgeGradle and is not a Java, Groovy, or Gradle tutorial.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.minecraftforge.net
Forge run types
Forge provides client, server, data, and gameTestServer run configurations.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.minecraftforge.net
IDE support
The guide provides commands to generate run configurations for Eclipse, IntelliJ IDEA, and Visual Studio Code.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.minecraftforge.net
Mappings
ForgeGradle lets users choose a human-readable mapping set and converts the mod JAR to SRG mappings for production with a reobf task.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.minecraftforge.net
Prerequisite
The setup guide requires a Java Development Kit and familiarity with an integrated development environment.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.minecraftforge.net
Run configurations
ForgeGradle run configurations can set arguments, working directories, task names, environment properties, and system properties.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.minecraftforge.net

Plans and prices

ForgeGradle Free No pricing or usage limits stated Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every ForgeGradle plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free, with no pricing or usage limits stated.
  • Supports Forge and FML mod development.
  • Generates configurations for three named IDEs.
  • Supports repository and local-directory dependencies.
  • Optional Jar-in-Jar packaging records build metadata.

Limits

  • Setup requires a Java Development Kit.
  • The documentation is not a Java, Groovy or Gradle tutorial.
  • Default stable and snapshot mappings are typically incomplete.
  • Those mapping sets are unavailable as of Minecraft 1.17.

Who it suits

ForgeGradle suits developers setting up Minecraft mod projects for Forge or FML who already have a JDK and IDE familiarity. It is not presented as a general Java, Groovy or Gradle tutorial.

Verdict

ForgeGradle provides build and run-configuration tools for Forge and FML mod projects. Developers should account for the mapping limitation and bring prior IDE familiarity.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to ForgeGradleAll alternatives →