Freedom251 › Minecraft Mod Development Tools
ForgeGradle
What ForgeGradle is
ForgeGradle is a Gradle plugin and development framework for making Minecraft mods with Forge and FML. Its documentation focuses on configuring a mod-development environment, not teaching Java, Groovy, or Gradle. Setup calls for 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 specify arguments, directories, task names, and environment or system properties. Forge run types include client, server, data, and gameTestServer. Developers can select human-readable mappings for development 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, with fg.deobf used before they are added. An optional Jar-in-Jar system bundles chosen dependencies and writes build metadata. The tool is free and supports Linux, macOS, and Windows. Its documented stable and snapshot mapping sets are typically incomplete and are unavailable from Minecraft 1.17 onward.
Who it suits
ForgeGradle suits Minecraft mod developers working with Forge or FML who already have a JDK and IDE familiarity. It is intended for environment setup, rather than as a general Java, Groovy, or Gradle tutorial.
What it does well
- Free to use on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
- Generates configurations for three named IDEs.
- Supports client, server, data, and gameTestServer run types.
- Offers dependency handling and optional Jar-in-Jar packaging.
What to know first
- Requires a Java Development Kit and IDE familiarity.
- Default stable and snapshot mappings are typically incomplete.
- Those mapping sets are unavailable from Minecraft 1.17 onward.
Limits
No pricing or usage limits are stated. The documented default stable and snapshot mapping sets are typically incomplete and are no longer available as of Minecraft 1.17.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| ForgeGradle | No pricing or usage limits stated | Free |
As docs.minecraftforge.net lists them, read 4 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Install a Java Development Kit.
- Prepare an integrated development environment.
- Add the MinecraftForge Maven repository to a Gradle build.
- Add the net.minecraftforge.gradle plugin to the build.
- Generate run configurations for Eclipse, IntelliJ IDEA, or Visual Studio Code using the documented commands.
Verdict
ForgeGradle provides mod-focused Gradle tooling for Forge and FML, including run configurations, mapping conversion, and dependency handling. Developers should account for the documented limitations of its default mapping sets.
Questions
Is ForgeGradle free?
Yes. The listed plan is free, with no usage limits stated.
Which operating systems does it support?
Linux, macOS, and Windows.
What do I need before setting it up?
A Java Development Kit and familiarity with an integrated development environment.
Which mod loaders does ForgeGradle support?
Forge and FML.
What license does ForgeGradle use?
The repository identifies its license as LGPL-2.1.
Does the documentation teach Java or Gradle?
No. It covers ForgeGradle and is not a Java, Groovy, or Gradle tutorial.
Facts from ForgeGradle's own pages
- Audience
- The documentation describes setting up a development environment for Minecraft mod development. · docs.minecraftforge.net, 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, 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, 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, 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, 4 Oct 2026
- Documentation scope
- The ForgeGradle documentation says it covers ForgeGradle and is not a Java, Groovy, or Gradle tutorial. · docs.minecraftforge.net, 4 Oct 2026
- Forge run types
- Forge provides client, server, data, and gameTestServer run configurations. · docs.minecraftforge.net, 4 Oct 2026
- IDE support
- The guide provides commands to generate run configurations for Eclipse, IntelliJ IDEA, and Visual Studio Code. · docs.minecraftforge.net, 4 Oct 2026
- License
- The ForgeGradle GitHub repository identifies its license as LGPL-2.1. · github.com, 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, 4 Oct 2026
- Prerequisite
- The setup guide requires a Java Development Kit and familiarity with an integrated development environment. · docs.minecraftforge.net, 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- ForgeGradle is a Gradle plugin and Minecraft mod development framework used by Forge and FML. · docs.minecraftforge.net, 4 Oct 2026
- Run configurations
- ForgeGradle run configurations can set arguments, working directories, task names, environment properties, and system properties. · docs.minecraftforge.net, 4 Oct 2026
Where ForgeGradle stands on Freedom251
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