Coloured Categories
Tooltips in Minecraft are often a sea of uniform grey text, but what if every item name, lore line, and modifier could burst with colour? Coloured Categories is the add-on that transforms the mundane into a vibrant, ever-changing display. Designed with modpack creators in mind, it injects personality into the user interface by randomly colouring tooltip components on the fly. Whether you are building a sprawling tech modpack or a cozy magic-themed world, this tool ensures your tooltips never look boring again.
What Makes Coloured Categories Stand Out?
Unlike static tooltip colour mods that force a single theme across every item, Coloured Categories for Minecraft embraces variety. Each time you launch the game, the add-on computes fresh colour assignments for all tooltip elements—item names, lore text, and even modded descriptions—and caches them for that session. The result is a unique visual experience every time you play, without any performance hit after the initial calculation. Best of all, the default functionality requires absolutely no dependencies; just drop the mod into your folder and enjoy.
Zero Dependencies, Maximum Flexibility
Out of the box, Coloured Categories works with a simple configuration file that modpack authors can tweak to their liking. Want to lock specific colours for certain items or categories? That is where the optional integrations shine. The add-on offers full support for KubeJS and CraftTweaker on modern Minecraft versions, allowing script-based control over every hue and shade. This means you can tie tooltip colours to game progression, biome, or even player actions—opening up creative possibilities for quest-driven packs.
How to Install Coloured Categories
Getting started with Coloured Categories is straightforward. First, ensure you are running a compatible version of Minecraft with the Forge mod loader. The add-on currently supports 1.12.2, 1.18.2, and 1.19.x, with potential backports to 1.13–1.17 if community demand grows. To download Coloured Categories, visit the official project page on CurseForge or Modrinth and grab the latest release for your game version. Place the downloaded JAR file into your mods folder, and you are ready to launch. No extra libraries are needed for the core colour randomization feature.
For those who prefer a streamlined experience, the foxygame.net launcher offers a one-click install option for Coloured Categories directly from its curated add-on catalog. This method automatically handles version matching and keeps the mod updated alongside your other modpack components, saving you the hassle of manual file management.
Configuring Your Tooltip Palette
Once installed, the mod generates a default config file that you can edit to adjust colour ranges, saturation, and brightness. If you want more precise control, the KubeJS and CraftTweaker bindings let you script custom colour rules. For example, you could make all tooltips from a certain mod appear in shades of blue, or have rare items glow with a golden tint. The wiki linked on the project page provides detailed examples and syntax for both scripting engines on 1.18 and 1.19.
Why Modpack Makers Love Coloured Categories
Modpacks thrive on cohesion and immersion. Coloured Categories gives pack designers a lightweight tool to visually unify their creations without overhauling textures or GUIs. Because the colouring is dynamic, it also adds an element of surprise—players might notice their favourite sword shimmering in a new shade each session. The add-on is intentionally minimalistic, relying on no external dependencies for its base features, which reduces compatibility headaches in large mod lists.
- Randomized per launch: Every game start brings a fresh colour scheme, keeping the UI lively.
- Modpacker-friendly: Integrates with KubeJS and CraftTweaker for scripted, context-aware colours.
- Lightweight: No performance impact after initial caching; works silently in the background.
- Broad version support: Available for 1.12.2, 1.18.2, and 1.19.x, with potential for more.
Advanced Customization with Scripts
For modpack authors who want to go beyond random colours, the KubeJS and CraftTweaker support unlocks a new level of creativity. You can define colour rules based on item tags, NBT data, or even the current dimension. Imagine a horror-themed pack where tooltips turn blood-red at night, or a technology pack where machine tooltips glow with neon cyan. The add-on’s wiki includes ready-to-use script snippets, making it easy to get started even if you are new to modding.
If you are using the foxygame.net launcher, you can also browse community-made configuration presets for Coloured Categories that automatically apply popular colour schemes to your modpack. This launcher feature simplifies sharing and discovering creative setups without editing files manually.
Compatibility and Future Plans
Coloured Categories is built to play nicely with other tooltip mods, including the author’s own Tiered Tooltips. While Tiered Tooltips focuses on structured, tier-based colouring, Coloured Categories offers a more freeform, randomized approach. The two can coexist, but the developer recommends using one as the primary tooltip colour source to avoid conflicts. Currently, the mod is confirmed stable on Forge for 1.12.2, 1.18.2, and 1.19.2/1.19.3. Versions 1.13 through 1.17 are not officially supported yet, but the creator has expressed willingness to backport if enough players request it.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are a modpack veteran or a casual player looking to spice up your single-player world, Coloured Categories delivers a simple yet impactful visual upgrade. Its no-dependency design, combined with powerful scripting hooks, makes it a versatile choice for any Forge-based setup. Download Coloured Categories today and give your Minecraft tooltips the colourful personality they deserve. With every launch, a new palette awaits—turning the ordinary act of hovering over an item into a delightful discovery.