
Modrinth · Minecraft mod
Variants-CIT
Alternative CIT format for large collections of variants with repeating patterns.
Quick answer
Which Variants-CIT release should I use?
Variants-CIT 5.8.1+26.3 targets 26.3 with Fabric. It must be installed on the client. Do not install it on the dedicated server. All 1 required mods have matching files.
Where it goes
Is Variants-CIT required on the client, server, or both?
It must be installed on the client. Do not install it on the dedicated server.
This file is marked client-only.
What else does Variants-CIT 5.8.1+26.3 need?
5.8.1+26.3. Change the file and its required mods may change too.
Install Fabric API first. We found matching files for this game-version and loader setup.
We only count dependency files that match this setup. A file for another loader does not fill the gap.
Before you install it
Add Variants-CIT without breaking your instance.
Built for Variants-CIT 5.8.1+26.3. Pick another file and the loader, install side or required mods may change.
- 01
Stick to this file
Use 5.8.1+26.3. It targets 26.3 with Fabric; another release may have different loader, side or dependency requirements.
- 02
Bring the mods it needs
Install Fabric API first. We found matching files for this game-version and loader setup.
- 03
Put it on the correct side
It must be installed on the client. Do not install it on the dedicated server.
- 04
Pick the file you checked
Use the “Get this file” button beside 5.8.1+26.3. It opens that exact file at the source.
About this project
What does Variants-CIT add?
Variants-CIT
An alternative CIT format designed to handle large amounts of variants.
This mod excels in scenarios where one item has many variants all based on the same pieces of data. It yields better performances when extreme amounts of CITs are available, and uses a resource format that is less redundant, requiring only one short file to configure all possible variants of an item at once.
Assigning models on a case-by-case basis (similar to how Optifine-CIT handles it) is still possible, but does not boast the same performances.
Resource Pack Format
This is a quick showcase. Refer to The Wiki for a complete guide.
The format revolves around item variants being automatically associated to models or textures with matching names.
Instead of defining separate conditions for every variants, you define a single rule that governs all variants in a collection, (so-called modules). This module defines what item is affected, how to figure out its variants, and where the variant models are located.
Fully automatic variants-to-model association
Here's a simple module that would change the texture of enchanted books :
{
"items": "enchanted_book", // The affected item type(s)
"modelPrefix": "book_cit/", // The folder containing the possible models/textures.
"assetGen": "item_model/generated", // Auto-generate models from textures (if missing)
"type": "stored_entchantment", // How to compute the item's "variant ID"
"parameters": { // Extra options specific to the module's type
"levelSeparator": "_lvl_" // Include enchantment level in the variant ID
}
}
Here, a book with the enchantment minecraft:unbreaking at level 2 will have the variant ID minecraft:unbreaking_lvl_2, and thus use the texture stored at /assets/minecraft/textures/item/book_cit/unbreaking_lvl_2.png.
This single module will work for every possible enchantment, vanilla or modded, so long as a corresponding texture exists.
Automatic variants based on custom data
The module above has a purpose-made type for enchanted books. If no type exists for a specific use-case, you can still use more generic modules to get a variant from any component:
{
"items": "minecraft:suspicious_stew",
"modelPrefix": "item/suspicious_stew_cit/",
"assetGen": "item_model/generated",
"type": "component_data",
"parameters": {
"componentType": "suspicious_stew_effects", // The component containing the variant ID
"nbtPath": "[0].id" // The location of the variant ID in the component.
}
}
Processing data that can't be used as-is:
{
"items": "diamond_sword",
"modelPrefix": "item/named_swords/",
"assetGen": "item_model/handheld",
"type": "component_data",
"parameters":
{
"componentType": "custom_name",
"transform": [
{
"function": "regex",
// Pattern matching,..
"regex": "(?i)(.*'s )?(Great |Grand )?(?<var>.*(sword|dagger))( of doom)?",
// ... and preserve only a portion of the name.
"substitution": "$var"
// (E.g: "steev18's great Steel Sword" => "Steel Sword")
}
{
// Turns any text into a valid identifier
"function": "sanitize"
// (E.g: "Steel Sword" => "minecraft:steel_sword")
}
]
}
}
Combining multiple pieces of data from different sources:
{
"items": "minecraft:diamond_sword",
"modelPrefix": "item/trimmed_diamond_sword/",
"assetGen": "item_model/handheld",
"type": "component_format",
"parameters":
{
// How to combine various pieces of data into a variant ID
// (E.g: sentry_diamond)
"format": "${pattern}_${material}",
// Where to find those pieces of data.
"variables": {
"pattern": {
"componentType": "trim",
"nbtPath": ".pattern"
},
"material": {
"componentType": "trim",
"nbtPath": ".material",
"transform": "discard_namespace"
}
}
}
}
Case-by-case variants
For systems that don't really follow any rules, (or if you have too few variants to care about automatism), you can use a format closer to Optifine-CIT's paradigms:
{
"items": "trident",
"modelPrefix": "item/godly_tridents/",
"assetGen": "item_model/trident",
"type": "predicates",
"parameters": {
"predicates":
[
{
"variantId": "zeus_smite",
"precondition": {
"enchantments.channeling": { "greater_or_equals": 1 }
}
},
{
"variantId": "jupiter_syphon",
"precondition": {
"enchantments.riptide": { "greater_or_equals": 1 }
}
}
// etc
]
}
}
Project description from Modrinth.
Pick your setup
Variants-CIT by Minecraft version and loader
Choose the version and loader you play, then open the matching release.
26.3-pre-2
1 loader build26.3
1 loader build26.2
1 loader build26.1.2
1 loader build26.1.1
1 loader build26.1-rc-3
1 loader build26.1-rc-2
1 loader build26.1-rc-1
1 loader build26.1
1 loader build1.21.11
1 loader build1.21.10
1 loader build1.21.9
1 loader buildShowing the newest 12 of 19 game versions. Older files are in the list below.
Check the dependencies, then try the file in a copied instance before changing a world you care about.
Recent files
Variants-CIT versions and loaders
5.8.1+26.3
variants-cit-5.8.1+26.3.jar
6 Nov 2026
5.8.1+26.1.2
variants-cit-5.8.1+26.1.2.jar
6 Nov 2026
5.8.1+1.21.11
variants-cit-5.8.1+1.21.11.jar
6 Nov 2026
5.8.1+1.21.8
variants-cit-5.8.1+1.21.8.jar
6 Nov 2026
5.8.1+1.21.5
variants-cit-5.8.1+1.21.5.jar
6 Nov 2026
5.8.1+1.21.4
variants-cit-5.8.1+1.21.4.jar
6 Nov 2026
5.8.0+26.3
variants-cit-5.8.0+26.3.jar
5 Nov 2026
5.8.0+26.1.2
variants-cit-5.8.0+26.1.2.jar
5 Nov 2026
5.8.0+1.21.11
variants-cit-5.8.0+1.21.11.jar
5 Nov 2026
5.8.0+1.21.8
variants-cit-5.8.0+1.21.8.jar
5 Nov 2026
5.8.0+1.21.5
variants-cit-5.8.0+1.21.5.jar
5 Nov 2026
5.8.0+1.21.4
variants-cit-5.8.0+1.21.4.jar
5 Nov 2026
Looking for an older file? The official Modrinth project page is in Resources.