Install Better Dynamic Crosshair #
Install Fabric Loader for 1.21.11 (plus Fabric API if the downloads page asks for it), place the JAR in your mods folder, and launch with the Fabric profile.
- Install Fabric Loader and Fabric API for 1.21.11 — the current build is a single Fabric 1.21.11 JAR (multi-loader matrix planned).
- Place the Better Dynamic Crosshair JAR into your mods folder — no server mod, no configuration required to start.
- Launch the game and aim at anything — the crosshair does the rest, re-colouring by target type.
- Read the colours: hostile=red, passive=yellow, player=blue, boss=purple, container=cyan, interactable=green, redstone=orange, ore=gold.
- Watch the tooltips — entity name/HP/armor/distance while aiming at mobs; correct tool, level and estimated break time while aiming at blocks.
- Combat and correct-tool glows appear automatically — full attack charge, critical hits and low-health targets light up on their own.
- For other mods, integrate via the public API: CrosshairContext, CrosshairColor and CrosshairStyle.
Working with Better Dynamic Crosshair #
Product-specific steps, separate from the general install guide above.
Drop-in replacement
A single **Fabric** build for **1.21.11** (multi-loader matrix planned). Place it in your mods folder and it replaces the static crosshair with a dynamic one that reads your target — no server mod, no configuration required to start.
What you'll see. Aim at anything and the crosshair re-colours: hostile mobs red, passive yellow, players blue, bosses purple, containers cyan, interactables green, redstone orange and ores gold.
Tooltips and combat indicators
While you aim, the crosshair attaches tooltips: **entity name, HP, armor and distance** for mobs; **correct tool, level and estimated break time** for blocks. Combat glows appear automatically — **full attack charge, critical hits, low-health targets and correct-tool glows**.
What you'll see. Aiming at a mob floats a small stat readout near the crosshair; aiming at ore shows the correct tool and an estimated break time for your current pickaxe.
- Fully client-side — works on any server with no server requirements.
- Lightweight HUD mixin with low performance impact.
- Public API: CrosshairContext, CrosshairColor and CrosshairStyle for other mods.
Tips
- Pairs naturally with Hero Client — the client's own crosshair module and this mod read different targets.
- v1.1.0 is the current release; ecosystem theming is on the roadmap.
Common problems
Only 1.21.11?
Frame drops?
Folder locations by platform #
| Platform | mods / resourcepacks folder | config folder |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | %appdata%\.minecraft\mods · \resourcepacks | %appdata%\.minecraft\config |
| macOS | ~/Library/Application Support/minecraft/mods | ~/Library/Application Support/minecraft/config |
| Linux | ~/.minecraft/mods · ~/.minecraft/resourcepacks | ~/.minecraft/config |
MultiMC / Prism users: these folders live inside Instances/<instance>/.minecraft/. Match the build to your exact Minecraft version — the compatibility table in the docs lists every supported version.
Configure #
Settings live in the config folder (JSON5 files you can edit by hand) and, where available, in the in-game settings screen the mod adds. The exact keys and keybinds are listed in the documentation and the FAQ below.
Tips for Better Dynamic Crosshair #
- Keep Better Dynamic Crosshair on the version range shown on its product page.
- If it doesn't load, confirm the JAR is in the right mods folder for the launcher and version you chose.
- Bedrock Edition, mobile, and console can't run Java Edition mods or packs — for a port or custom variant, request a commission.