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Essential is a comprehensive Minecraft mod that enhances your gameplay experience with powerful features for screenshots, cosmetics, multiplayer hosting, and UI improvements.

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Core features

Screenshot management

Capture, edit, organize, and share your Minecraft moments with advanced screenshot tools

Cosmetics & wardrobe

Customize your character with cosmetics, emotes, capes, skins, and outfits

Multiplayer hosting

Invite friends to your world instantly with built-in player hosting (SPS)

UI improvements

Experience redesigned menus, social features, and quality of life enhancements

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Feature highlights

  • Screenshot browser - Browse all screenshots sorted by world or server
  • Screenshot editor - Draw on and crop screenshots before saving
  • Quick actions - Upload, copy, edit, and favorite from preview toast
  • Media sharing - Upload screenshots to share links with friends
  • Picture library - View and delete uploaded screenshots from media.essential.gg
  • Async capture - Screenshots taken without lag (1.8.9 & 1.12.2)
  • 100+ cosmetics - Extensive collection of character cosmetics
  • Color customization - Adjust colors and positions of cosmetics
  • Emote wheel - Access and switch between emote wheels in-game
  • Outfit system - Create, save, and manage up to 128 outfits
  • Skin library - Manage skins via link, file, or username
  • Cape support - Official Mojang capes and Essential capes
  • Gifting - Send cosmetics and emotes to friends
  • World hosting - Invite friends to singleplayer worlds instantly
  • Discord integration - Show activity status and invite via Discord
  • Social menu - Message friends, share screenshots, and organize groups
  • World settings - Manage gamerules, PvP, permissions, and more
  • Voice chat support - Compatible with Plasmo Voice and Simple Voice Chat
  • Resource pack sharing - Share your resource packs when hosting
  • Regional proxies - Improved connection quality worldwide
  • Redesigned menus - Modern UI across all screens
  • Account switcher - Quickly switch between Minecraft accounts
  • Friend indicators - See which servers and worlds friends are on
  • Enhanced settings - Organized and improved settings layout
  • Notification system - Toast notifications for events and updates
  • Vanilla compatibility - Option to use Minecraft button textures

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Platform support

Essential supports multiple Minecraft versions and mod loaders:
  • Minecraft versions: 1.8.9, 1.12.2, 1.16.5, 1.17+, up to 1.21.8
  • Mod loaders: Forge and Fabric

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Getting started

1

Install Essential

Download and install Essential for your Minecraft version
2

Complete onboarding

Follow the user-friendly onboarding process on first launch
3

Explore features

Access Essential features through the main menu or keybinds
4

Customize settings

Configure Essential to match your preferences in settings

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Essential menu

Access all Essential features through the Essential button on the main menu:
  • Wardrobe - Customize your character’s appearance
  • Screenshot Manager - Browse and manage your screenshots
  • Social Menu - Connect with friends and communities
  • Settings - Configure Essential features and preferences
  • Changelogs - View update notes and new features
Many features can be accessed via keybinds for quick access. Check the Controls settings to view and customize keybinds.

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Privacy & safety

Essential includes comprehensive privacy and safety features:
  • Privacy settings for each server individually
  • Community rules and reporting system
  • User blocking and muting capabilities
  • Terms of service and privacy policy protection
  • Suspension system for rule violations

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Next steps

Screenshot features

Learn about screenshot management and editing

Cosmetics system

Explore the wardrobe and customization options

Multiplayer hosting

Set up world hosting and invite friends

UI enhancements

Discover interface improvements and features

Build docs developers (and LLMs) love

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