Install Tinkers' Construct on your server

Tinkers' Construct is the classic modular tool mod. Players build tools from parts, modify them, and smelt metals in a smeltery. It needs one library mod, Mantle, and players need both in their own game. The current builds are for Minecraft 1.20.1 on Forge.

Checked against Tinkers' Construct 3.11.2.166 on Forge 1.20.1, October 2026. A beta, 3.12.1.231, is newer.

What it needs

Modrinth lists builds for 1.6.4, 1.7.10, 1.12.2, 1.16.5, 1.18.2, 1.19.2 and 1.20.1, and nothing for 1.21 or later. CurseForge's newest builds are also for 1.20.1. Modrinth also tags the 1.20.1 builds for NeoForge, but the NeoForge versions the panel installs start after 1.20.1, so use Forge. As a mod it can't run on Paper or Purpur. Minecraft 1.20.1 runs on Java 17, and the panel picks that for you.

Mantle, the SlimeKnights library mod, is required. The jar asks for Mantle 1.11.97 or newer, and the project page links to it. Just Enough Items is recommended on the project page and optional in the jar.

Open Content in the panel menu and look for Mods. If the tab says Plugins or is missing, open JAR Manager under More, choose Forge under Server software, pick 1.20.1 as the Minecraft version and press Apply change. Leave Take a backup first ticked and confirm with Confirm & reinstall. Change your Minecraft version or mod loader has the full steps.

Install Tinkers' Construct and Mantle

1. Open Mods, keep the Store view and the Modrinth chip selected in the source chip row at the top of the tab. The Game version filter starts on your server's version.
2. Search for Tinkers' Construct and press Install on the result named exactly Tinkers' Construct. Tinkers Construct Delight, TiCEX and Spells & Shields: Magicians' Tinkering are separate projects.
3. A window titled Needs 1 more add-on lists Mantle as required, and Just Enough Items (JEI) as an optional extra with an empty tick box. Tick JEI if you want it, then press Install all.
4. Restart from the Console tab. The install message says "Restart the server to load them".

The store takes the newest release, which is 3.11.2.166, and skips the beta. Open the Installed view to check. You should see both mods and no Failed to load badge. A Needs badge that names Mantle means the library is missing.

Players need the same mods

Modrinth marks Tinkers' Construct as required on both the client and the server. Each player installs Tinkers' Construct and Mantle through their launcher, on Forge 1.20.1. Join a modded server from your launcher covers it, and Fix the mismatched mod channel list error explains the usual refusal when lists differ.

First run

The project page says to craft the Materials and You book and follow its introduction. The mod adds part builders, tinker stations and modifier workstations, plus a melter, alloyer, smeltery and foundry for molten metals. It also generates slime islands in the overworld, the Nether and the End, slimy geodes deep underground, and cobalt ore in the Nether. The project's docs are at slimeknights.github.io/docs.

Settings

The jar defines a common and a client configuration. On a server the common one applies, and it is normally written as config/tconstruct-common.toml after the first start. Stop the server before you edit it.

Updating

Click Check for updates in the Installed view and restart afterwards. The check never moves you to a less stable channel than the one installed, so a release is not swapped for the beta. Update Mantle with it.

Common problems

• The server stops at startup: open Console and read the last lines, then look in the Installed view for a Needs badge. Fix mod and plugin errors on Minecraft covers reading the log.
• Nothing turns up in the results: the game version filter is on a version without a build. Move the server to Forge 1.20.1.
• Slow ticks: Why is my server lagging? Find the cause lists the usual causes.