General Mechanics requires Minecraft 1.21.1, NeoForge 21.1.x, and Java 21. Make sure these are installed before proceeding.
Prerequisites
Before installing General Mechanics, ensure you have:| Requirement | Version | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Minecraft | 1.21.1 | Java Edition |
| NeoForge | 21.1.209+ | Not compatible with Fabric or Forge |
| Java | 21 (Oracle JDK) | Must be Java 21 |
| JEI (optional) | 19.25.0.322+ | Strongly recommended for recipe browsing |
Installation
Install NeoForge 1.21.1
Download the NeoForge installer from neoforged.net and run it. Select Minecraft version 1.21.1 and follow the installer prompts.
Download General Mechanics
Download the latest
gm-1.21.1-<version>.jar from the releases page and save it somewhere accessible.Place the JAR in your mods folder
Copy the JAR into your Minecraft
mods/ folder:- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
Launch Minecraft
Open the Minecraft Launcher, select the NeoForge 1.21.1 profile, and click Play. The mod loads automatically.
Exploring the mod in-game
Once in a world, pressE to open your inventory and look for the General Mechanics creative tabs:
- General Mechanics — machines, tools, plastics, electrical components, upgrades
- GM Elements — all element ingots, ores, dusts, plates, rods, nuggets
- GM Fluids — all industrial fluid buckets
Your first steps
Finding elements
Elements generate as ore blocks throughout the world. Start by mining common elements like Copper, Tin, Aluminum, and Silicon. Smelt raw ore in a furnace to get ingots, then process ingots into dusts, plates, and rods using machines.Crafting the Matter Fabricator
The Matter Fabricator is the core advanced crafting machine of General Mechanics. It processes Fabrication recipes — advanced multi-ingredient synthesis not possible in a standard crafting table. To use it:- Craft a Matter Fabricator block (recipe visible in JEI)
- Place it in the world and connect it to a power source (FE/RF)
- Insert ingredients into the input slots
- The machine will process the recipe and deposit output in the result slot
Working with fluids
Many processes require industrial fluids. Collect fluids using buckets or fluid pipes. Key starter fluids include:- Crude Oil — foundation for petroleum processing
- Sulfuric Acid — used in ore processing
- Hydrogen and Oxygen — produced by electrolyzing water
Using machine upgrades
Right-click a machine to open its GUI. Upgrade slots accept upgrade cards that modify machine behavior. Start with a Speed Upgrade to process items faster, or an Efficiency Upgrade to reduce power consumption.Next steps
Core Systems
Learn how elements, fluids, energy, and machines work together.
Machines Reference
Browse all available machines and their functions.
Upgrades
Discover all 16 machine upgrade cards.
Developer Guide
Build addon mods on top of General Mechanics.