WhenChat
Prepends a [HH:mm:ss] timestamp to every received chat message — never lose track of when something was sent.
Screenshots
About this Mod
WhenChat
WhenChat is a lightweight, client-side mod that automatically prepends a [HH:mm:ss] timestamp in front of every chat message you receive in Minecraft. Available for Fabric, NeoForge, and Forge.
Ever wondered exactly when that message in chat was sent? Whether you're on a busy multiplayer server, taking screenshots for proof, or just want a quiet reference for the time of day without opening the F3 debug menu — WhenChat has you covered.
Features
- Automatic timestamps — every incoming chat message is tagged with the current time in
[HH:mm:ss]format - Zero configuration — install, launch, done
- Client-side only — works on any server, vanilla or modded, no server-side install needed
- Multi-loader — Fabric, NeoForge, and Forge JARs available for every supported MC version
- Lightweight — a single mixin, no performance impact
- Subtle styling — timestamps are rendered in gray so they don't distract from the actual message
Example
Before:
<Steve> hey, are you online?
<Alex> sup
After:
[18:42:07] <Steve> hey, are you online?
[18:43:21] <Alex> sup
Supported Versions
| Loader | Minecraft versions |
|---|---|
| Fabric | 1.19, 1.19.1 – 1.19.4, 1.20 – 1.20.6, 1.21 – 1.21.11 (24 versions) |
| NeoForge | 1.20.6, 1.21, 1.21.1, 1.21.3, 1.21.4, 1.21.5, 1.21.8 |
| Forge | 1.20.6, 1.21, 1.21.1, 1.21.3, 1.21.4, 1.21.5 |
More MC versions and loaders coming soon!
Requirements
- Java 17 or newer (Java 21 for MC 1.20.5+ and 1.21.x)
- Fabric Loader 0.14.0+ for Fabric builds
- NeoForge 20.6+ for NeoForge builds
- Forge 50.0+ for Forge builds
Dependencies
- Fabric builds require Fabric API
- NeoForge and Forge builds have no external dependencies
Compatibility
WhenChat only modifies how incoming chat messages are displayed on your client. It does not send or intercept any data to or from the server, and is compatible with any server type (vanilla, Paper, Fabric, NeoForge, Forge, modded, etc.). No server-side install required.
Source & Issues
Open source under the MIT license. Source code, issue tracker, and contributions welcome:
👉 github.com/ErikEdits/WhenChat
If you enjoy the mod, consider leaving a thumbs up on Modrinth — it really helps!
Available Versions
How to Install WhenChat on Your Server
Order Server
Order a Minecraft Java server with at least 3 GB RAM (4 GB recommended).
Set fabric Loader
In the panel under "Egg", select the fabric loader and matching Minecraft version (1.21.11).
Install Mod
Open the mod browser in the dashboard and search for "WhenChat". Click "Install" – done! Alternatively, upload the .jar via SFTP to the /mods folder.
Compatibility
Mod Loaders
Minecraft Versions
1.21.11, 1.21.10, 1.21.9 (+21 more)
Server-side
✗ UnsupportedRecommended RAM
4 GB(min. 3 GB)Frequently Asked Questions
WhenChat server crashes on startup – what to do?
Most common cause: wrong fabric version or insufficient RAM. Check the server log (latest.log) for "OutOfMemoryError" or "Mixin" errors. With Mado Hosting: ensure at least 3 GB RAM is allocated and the loader matches the mod version (1.21.11). You can switch loaders with one click in the panel.
Is WhenChat compatible with fabric and forge and neoforge?
WhenChat officially supports fabric, forge, neoforge for Minecraft 1.21.11, 1.21.10, 1.21.9. Note: Forge and Fabric mods are NOT cross-compatible – pick one loader and stick with it. The Mado dashboard automatically detects incompatible loader combinations.
Server lagging with WhenChat – how to optimize performance?
Recommended RAM: 4 GB (per 8 players). Use /spark profiler to check if WhenChat consumes the most tick time. Common fixes: reduce server view-distance to 8-10, install "performant" or "starlight" as supplementary mods on Forge. With Mado Hosting, your server runs on NVMe SSDs with dedicated CPU cores for minimal latency.
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Rent Modded Server
Install WhenChat with just one click on your server.