Footwork API
If you have ever browsed modpack requirements and spotted a small library mod you have never heard of, you have probably run into Footwork API. On its own, this mod appears to do almost nothing. Install it and launch the game, and you will see no new blocks, no flashy weapons, and no quests. That is entirely by design. Footwork API is a shared framework, a behind-the-scenes toolkit that several combat and stealth mods rely on to talk to each other without conflicts. Think of it as the plumbing inside the walls: invisible when everything works, essential when it does not.
This article breaks down what Footwork API actually provides, which mods depend on it, which Minecraft versions and loaders it supports, and how to install it correctly so your modpack stops crashing on startup.
What Does Footwork API Actually Do?
Footwork API exists to solve a specific problem: multiple mods want to share combat and stealth data, but none of them should be forced to depend on each other directly. The mod delivers a small set of methods and states that all of its dependents can use in common.
The most important piece is the ICombatCapability for ItemStacks. In plain terms, this lets any item carry custom posture values that are interpreted on a per-stack basis. A sword, a shield, or a piece of armor can hold its own posture data, and other mods can read that data without needing Project: War Dance installed at all. This keeps posture logic modular instead of hardcoded.
Footwork API also adds a dummied-out stealth base. Cloak and Dagger overrides this placeholder with its own robust stealth mechanics, while Project: War Dance can still use awareness status even when Cloak and Dagger is absent. The result is graceful degradation: mods keep working, features simply scale back.
Which Mods Require Footwork API?
Footwork API is a required dependency for several popular combat-focused mods:
- Project: War Dance
- Taoism
- Cloak and Dagger
- Combat Circle
If you try to run any of these without the API present, expect a crash or a missing dependency error on launch. The fix is simple: add Footwork API to your mods folder alongside them.
Supported Minecraft Versions and Loaders
Footwork API is built for modern Minecraft Java Edition, targeting the Forge mod loader on Minecraft 1.20.1. That version remains the dominant modding platform for large combat and RPG modpacks, which is exactly where this library shines. If you are assembling a pack around Project: War Dance or Cloak and Dagger, you are almost certainly already on Forge 1.20.1, so compatibility is rarely a headache.
Because the mod is a library rather than a content mod, it does not need frequent updates. Its job is to stay stable while the mods above it evolve. That also means you should always match the API version recommended by your dependent mods rather than grabbing the newest file blindly.
How to Install Footwork API for Minecraft
Installation follows the standard Forge library mod process. Here is the short version:
- Confirm you are running Minecraft 1.20.1 with a matching Forge version installed.
- Download Footwork API from a trusted mod repository, choosing the build that matches your dependent mods.
- Place the .jar file into your mods folder, alongside Project: War Dance, Taoism, Cloak and Dagger, or Combat Circle.
- Launch the game and check the mods list to confirm the API loaded without errors.
If you prefer to skip manual file juggling, the foxygame.net launcher offers a one-click install path that pulls Footwork API and its dependent mods together, so version mismatches are handled before you ever hit play.
Common Installation Mistakes
Two errors account for most Footwork API problems. First, installing it on the wrong loader: this is a Forge mod, so Fabric or NeoForge setups will not recognize it. Second, mismatching versions between the API and the mods that require it, which can cause silent failures where posture or stealth data simply does not register.
Is Footwork API Worth Installing on Its Own?
No, and the mod is upfront about that. By itself it adds no gameplay. Its value appears only when paired with the combat and stealth mods listed above. If you are building a lightweight vanilla-plus pack, you can safely skip it. If you are chasing deeper combat mechanics, stealth systems, and awareness states, Footwork API is the quiet foundation everything else stands on.
In short: it is a dependency, not a feature, and a well-made one. Install it once, forget it exists, and let your combat mods do the talking.