Litematica turns Minecraft builds into in-game holograms you can line up and build from block by block. The catch is that it only belongs in the Minecraft: Java Edition modding setup: Bedrock Edition, consoles, and vanilla Minecraft without a mod loader are outside the verified path.
Start with the right file, then the rest is straightforward. Here is the clean route for installing Litematica, loading a schematic, moving it into place, building from it, and fixing the controls when the overlay disappears.
1. Start with the right Litematica version
Most Litematica trouble starts before Minecraft even opens. The Litematica file must match three things: Minecraft: Java Edition, your exact Game Version, and your Loader.
- Modrinth lists Litematica files for Minecraft 26.2, 26.1.x, 1.21.x, 1.20.1 through 1.20.6, 1.19.x, 1.18.x, 1.17.x, 1.16.x, 1.15.x, 1.14, 1.14.2 through 1.14.4, 1.13.2, and 1.12.x.
- CurseForge lists the current project as Fabric for 1.14 and newer, with legacy LiteLoader, Rift, and Forge cases for older Minecraft versions.
- MaLiLib must be installed when the selected Litematica version lists it as required content.
Skip current-version Forge tutorials for official Litematica. The official Forge path is Minecraft 1.12.2 only; LiteLoader and Rift are old-version paths, not the route for a modern Java Edition profile.
2. Install it manually with Fabric
This is the direct Minecraft Launcher setup. Use it when you want the normal launcher and a plain mods folder.
- 1.Install Fabric for the official Minecraft Launcher.
- 2.Open Modrinth or CurseForge.
- 3.Download the Litematica .jar that matches your Minecraft version and Fabric loader.
- 4.Download the matching MaLiLib .jar when the Litematica page lists it as required.
- 5.Move both .jar files into your Minecraft mods folder.
- 6.On Windows, open %appdata%\.minecraft\mods.
- 7.On macOS, open ~/Library/Application Support/minecraft/mods.
- 8.On Linux, open ~/.minecraft/mods.
- 9.Open Minecraft Launcher, choose the Fabric profile from the bottom-left profile dropdown, then select Play.
If Litematica is missing after launch, one of the four parts does not match: Minecraft version, Fabric loader, Litematica, or MaLiLib.
3. Let Modrinth or CurseForge manage it
Launcher apps are cleaner when you want separate modded profiles, built-in updates, and less folder work.
For CurseForge App, install the app, open the Litematica project page, select Install, choose Open CurseForge in the browser prompt, pick or create a profile, then press Play in the app.
For Modrinth App, select Plus, create a profile with Name, Loader, and Game Version, then click Create. Open the profile, choose Add Content, search for Litematica, select Install, and launch with Play.
4. Load a schematic as a hologram
- 1.Start Minecraft with the profile that includes Litematica.
- 2.Press M to open the Litematica menu.
- 3.Select Load Schematics.
- 4.Choose the schematic file.
- 5.Select Load Schematic.
- 6.Keep Create a placement checked.
That last checkbox is what drops the hologram into your world. When you loaded the file without it, press M, open Loaded Schematics, select the schematic, then choose Create a placement.
5. Move the placement into position
Open the placement controls with the menu first: press M, choose Schematic Placements, select the placement, then click Configure. The shortcut for the selected placement GUI is Numpad Minus.
Once the outline is visible, switch to Schematic Placement tool mode. Middle-click the placement in-world to select it, click with the tool to move the placement origin, and use Alt plus mouse scroll to nudge it in the direction you are looking.
6. Build from the blueprint layer by layer
For survival building, treat the hologram like a block-by-block overlay. Open the Render Layers menu to choose the render mode and visible layer, then adjust the related hotkeys from M + C and Hotkeys.
- Enable easyPlaceMode from M + C, then Generic.
- Set an easyPlaceToggle key from M + C, then Hotkeys.
- Use easyPlaceUseKey to place blocks. The default is Button_2.
On multiplayer servers without Servux, Carpet Extra, or Litemoretica server support, set easyPlaceProtocolVersion to Auto, Slabs Only, or None. That prevents rotation-related ghost blocks while still letting you build from the schematic.
7. Restore missing tools and rendering
When the tool item stops responding, check the toggles before touching the install. Press M + T to toggle tool item functionality, or open M + C, choose Generic, and check toolItemEnabled.
When the schematic disappears, press M + R to toggle main rendering. You can also open M + C, choose Visuals, and check enableRendering. Then confirm you are holding the configured item under M + C, Generic, and toolItem.
For hotkey changes, open M + C and use Hotkeys, Generic, or Visuals. Fabric players with Mod Menu installed can open the same kind of per-mod config menu from the gear button beside each mod.
8. Save your own schematic
- 1.Press M.
- 2.Use the middle-left control to choose Simple or Multi-Region. Some 1.13 and newer builds label Multi-Region as Normal.
- 3.Open Area Selection Browser.
- 4.Click New selection and name it, or choose an existing selection.
- 5.Open Area Editor from the main menu, or press Numpad multiply.
- 6.Switch the tool item to Area Selection mode.
- 7.Use Middle click to select a box or corner.
- 8.Use Left click and Right click to set or move corners.
- 9.Use Alt plus scroll to nudge the selection.
- 10.Save the selected area as a schematic from Litematica's save schematic workflow.
For multiplayer saves, do not depend on full NBT, inventory, or entity data unless the server has support for that data.
9. Edit, paste, or remove Litematica
To edit a loaded schematic, press M and use the bottom-left mode button to switch to Edit Schematic. You can also hold the enabled tool item and use Ctrl plus scroll until Edit Schematic is selected. Save edits from Loaded Schematics and Save to file; use Reload to discard unsaved edits.
To paste into the world, switch Minecraft to Creative mode first. In Litematica, switch to Paste schematic in world with the bottom-left button in the M menu, or use Ctrl plus scroll while holding the enabled tool item. Confirm the correct placement is selected on the tool HUD, then press the configured executeOperation hotkey.
On servers, command-based pasting requires permission for /setblock and /fill. For Litematica 1.18.x and newer with WorldEdit, the server can grant //pos1, //pos2, and //set instead when commandUseWorldEdit is enabled under M + C and Generic.
Litematica does not include a built-in Schematica-style printer. Use the schematic rendering tools, Easy Place mode, Creative paste, or a separate extension only after checking the server rules.
To remove a manual Fabric install, close Minecraft and delete the Litematica .jar from the same mods folder. Remove MaLiLib only when no other installed masa mods need it. In Modrinth App or CurseForge App, remove, update, or toggle Litematica from the profile's installed mod list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Litematica work on Minecraft Bedrock Edition?
No. The verified setup is Minecraft: Java Edition with a supported mod loader. Bedrock Edition, consoles, and vanilla Minecraft without a mod loader are outside the supported path here.
Do I need MaLiLib for Litematica?
Yes, when the Litematica file lists MaLiLib as required content. Download the MaLiLib file that matches the same Minecraft version and loader.
Why does my Litematica schematic not show up?
Press M + R to toggle rendering, then check M + C > Visuals > enableRendering. Also confirm the schematic was loaded with Create a placement checked.
Why does the Litematica tool item do nothing?
Press M + T, then check M + C > Generic > toolItemEnabled. Make sure you are holding the item set under M + C > Generic > toolItem.
Can Litematica automatically build the schematic?
Litematica can paste a schematic in Creative mode with the Paste schematic in world tool mode. It does not include a built-in Schematica-style printer.
