Neo-Loom review
An open-source Gradle tool for cross-toolchain NeoForge and MinecraftForge builds.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Neo-Loom is an open-source Gradle build-system plugin for Minecraft mod development. It is designed for developers working across the NeoForge and MinecraftForge toolchains, with support documented for Minecraft 1.21+ and NeoForge 26.1+ configurations. Its scope centers on build configuration and development workflows rather than a general-purpose Minecraft editor, making it a fit for teams and individual developers already organizing mods with Gradle.
Its strongest feature is cross-toolchain coverage. Neo-Loom supports development launch configurations, Minecraft mapping configuration with Yarn and Modern Yarn, and Gradle-based mod artifact remapping. It also covers Jar-in-Jar packaging, ClassTweaker and AccessWidener to AccessTransformer conversion, and publishing or consuming access transformers and interface injections. Together, these capabilities address the build, mapping, launch, packaging, and compatibility tasks that arise when a project targets NeoForge or MinecraftForge.
The main trade-off is focus. The documented version range is centered on newer Minecraft and NeoForge releases, so projects built around older versions may not fit its current support direction. The Gradle-based workflow also makes it a specialized choice for developers who want build-system integration rather than a standalone development environment. Choose Neo-Loom when a project needs NeoForge and MinecraftForge support in one toolchain; consider a different option when the project targets other loaders, older versions, or a workflow outside Gradle.
Neo-Loom pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Supports both NeoForge and MinecraftForge toolchains
- Handles mappings, access conversion, launches, and remapping
- Includes Jar-in-Jar and artifact packaging workflows
- Where it doesn't
- Support is focused on newer Minecraft and NeoForge versions
- Requires a Gradle-based development workflow
- Best suited to NeoForge and Forge projects rather than broader loader needs
Neo-Loom fact sheet, pricing and score →
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