Mod Info Lister: Streamlining Modpack Documentation for Creators
Building a custom modpack in Minecraft is an art form. You carefully select dozens of mods, tweak configs, and test for compatibility. But when it comes time to share your creation with the world, documenting every single mod — its version, author, and download URL — can be a tedious chore. That is where Mod Info Lister steps in, a lightweight utility designed to save modpack authors hours of manual work by automatically generating a structured list of all installed mods.
What Exactly Does Mod Info Lister Do?
At its core, Mod Info Lister is a simple yet powerful tool that scans your mods folder during the game's loading phase and exports key metadata into a CSV file. No commands, no in-game interfaces — just drop the mod JAR into your mods folder, launch the game, and the file appears. The output lands in the ./ModInfoLister/modlist.csv directory, ready for you to open in any spreadsheet application.
The information captured is precisely what a modpack curator needs:
- Display name – the human-readable title of the mod
- Display version – the version string as shown in-game
- URL – the project or download link (if specified by the mod author)
- Author(s) – who created the mod
- Mod ID – the unique identifier used internally
This might sound minimal, but for anyone who has ever assembled a pack with 100+ mods, having all this data in one sortable, filterable spreadsheet is a game-changer. You can quickly spot outdated mods, compile a credits page, or generate a mod list for your CurseForge or Modrinth project description.
Understanding the CSV Format
The generated file uses a pipe character ( | ) as a delimiter instead of the more common comma. This design choice avoids conflicts with commas that often appear in mod names or author fields. However, it does mean you need to tell your spreadsheet software about the delimiter when opening the file.
Here are a few important behaviors of the output:
- Any pipe characters found in the original mod data are replaced with a space to maintain clean columns. For example, "opencomputers|core" becomes "opencomputers core".
- If a mod provides no URL, the field is filled with the word "unspecified".
- If no authors are listed, the field reads "none".
- The CSV file is overwritten on each game launch, so it always reflects the current mod set.
How to Import the CSV into Excel and Google Docs
Because of the pipe delimiter, a direct double-click might not display the data correctly. Follow these steps for a clean import:
For Microsoft Excel
- Open a blank worksheet — do not use File > Open on the CSV.
- Navigate to the Data tab and choose "From Text/CSV" (or "From Text" in older versions).
- Locate the
modlist.csvfile and select it. - In the import wizard, ensure "Delimited" is checked, then click Next.
- Uncheck "Tab", check "Other", and type a pipe ( | ) in the box. Click Finish.
- Choose where to place the data and hit OK.
For Google Docs (Sheets)
- Upload the CSV file to Google Drive.
- Right-click it and open with Google Sheets.
- Google Sheets will automatically prompt you for the delimiter character — enter a pipe ( | ) in the "Custom separator" field.
- The data will instantly snap into neat columns.
This straightforward process makes the tool accessible even for creators who aren't spreadsheet wizards.
Compatibility and Version Support
Mod Info Lister has been verified to work on Minecraft versions 1.8.x, 1.10.x, and 1.12.x, and it should also function on 1.9.x and 1.11.x using the same JAR file. Unfortunately, it does not support 1.7.x, and the original developer has stated they will not back-port it. If you need a similar solution for older versions, the community mod "Mod-list generator" by Dragon2488 covers 1.7.2 and 1.7.10. This makes Mod Info Lister an ideal companion for many classic modpack eras, especially the beloved 1.12.2 golden age.
For those who prefer a streamlined experience, installing Mod Info Lister is a breeze with the foxygame.net launcher, a modern Minecraft launcher that lets you download mods directly from its menu, making mod management flexible and hassle-free. This launcher eliminates the need to manually hunt down JAR files, and it integrates smoothly with tools like Mod Info Lister to keep your modpack documentation up to date without extra steps.
Practical Use Cases for Modpack Creators
Beyond simply listing mods, the CSV output can be repurposed in several creative ways:
- Generate a credits file to include in your modpack's root folder, giving proper attribution to every author.
- Create a changelog by comparing CSV files from different pack versions — easily spot added, removed, or updated mods.
- Populate a spreadsheet that feeds into a website or launcher description, keeping your public mod list accurate with minimal effort.
- Audit your pack for mods that lack a URL, which might indicate abandoned or poorly maintained projects.
The mod itself is unobtrusive; it performs its task during the post-initialization loading stage (stage 5) and then stays silent. There is no performance impact and no clutter in your in-game UI. Once the CSV is written, you can even remove the mod until you need to refresh the list again.
A Nod to the Developer and Similar Tools
Mod Info Lister was created by the same developer behind Ability Stones 2, showcasing a knack for practical utility mods. The simplicity of the tool belies its usefulness — it does one thing and does it well. For modpack authors juggling dozens of dependencies, it turns a multi-hour documentation nightmare into a background task that finishes before the main menu even appears.
In a community where sharing and crediting work is essential, having an automated mod list generator is more than a convenience; it is a sign of professionalism. Whether you are maintaining a private server pack or publishing a massive public modpack, Mod Info Lister ensures your documentation stays accurate, up-to-date, and effortless. Next time you prepare a pack for release, let this tiny mod handle the paperwork while you focus on the fun part — playing the game.