Better Shulkers

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About

Better Shulkers is an open-source Minecraft mod that enhances shulker boxes with powerful automation features. The mod works completely on the server side, requiring no client modifications, making it perfect for vanilla-compatible servers while also working seamlessly with modded content.

Key Benefits

• Server-side only - No client mod required, works with vanilla clients
• Vanilla compatible - Players don't need to install anything
• Multiple platforms - Available for Fabric, Quilt, and NeoForge
• Configurable - Extensive configuration options for server administrators
• Permission system - Granular permission control for different features

This is Tater Certified's entry in the 2025 NeoForge Server-side Summer competition!

Features

This is a brief list of features. More can be found on our website:

• Open shulker boxes from anywhere - Right-click shulker boxes in your hand or inventory to open them without placing them
• Automatic item pickup - Shulker boxes can automatically pick up items that match their assigned material
• Material assignment - Assign materials to shulker boxes using either crafting recipes or enchantments
• Visual material display - See what material a shulker box is assigned to via visual displays on the box
• Server-side only - Works completely on the server with no client mod required
• Vanilla compatible - Works with vanilla Minecraft clients

Downloads

Download Better Shulkers from Curseforge or Modrinth. The mod is compatible with Minecraft 1.21 and above.

Showcase Video

Configuration & Permissions

Configuration Options

The mod creates a bettershulkers.toml file in your server's config folder. Here are all available options:

Option	Default	Description
item-pickup-type	ENCHANTMENT	Controls how shulker boxes can pick up items automatically: • NONE: Shulker boxes do not automatically pick up items • RECIPE: All shulkers with a material can pick up items (uses crafting recipe) • ENCHANTMENT: Only shulkers with a material and the Material Collector enchantment can pick up items
open-from-inventory	true	If true, players can open shulker boxes by right-clicking them in their hand or in their inventory
show-material-display	true	If true, item displays will render on the shulker box lid to show the material. Note: Displays may appear slow if players have high latency.
require-permission-for-command	true	If true, players will need permissions to use the /shulker command.
require-permission-for-right-click-open-shulker	false	If true, players will need 'bettershulkers.open' permission to open shulker boxes by right-clicking them.

How It Works

Material Assignment Methods

Recipe Method (item-pickup-type = "RECIPE"):

• Place a shulker box in the center of a crafting table
• Surround it with 4 obsidian blocks in the corners
• Place the desired material item in the remaining 4 slots
• This creates a shulker box that will automatically pick up that material

Enchantment Method (item-pickup-type = "ENCHANTMENT"):

• First, obtain the "Material Collector" enchantment through these methods:
  • Trading: Librarian villagers may offer enchanted books with this enchantment
  • Loot: Found in various loot chests throughout the world
• Apply the enchantment to a shulker box using an anvil
• Then use the anvil to combine the enchanted shulker with the desired material item
• This creates a shulker box that will automatically pick up that material

Permission Nodes

The following permission nodes are available for server administrators:

Permission Node	Description
bettershulkers.command.set	Allows setting a shulker's material using the /shulker set <material> command.
bettershulkers.command.reload	Allows reloading the configuration file using the /shulker reload command.
bettershulkers.open	Allows opening shulker boxes by right-clicking them in hand. (permission requirement for this is disabled by default)

Commands

• /shulker set <material> - Set a shulker box's material (requires bettershulkers.command.set permission)
• /shulker reload - Reload the configuration file (requires bettershulkers.command.reload permission)

Compatibility

• Minecraft Version: 1.21 and above
• Loaders: Fabric, Quilt, and NeoForge
• Server-side only: No client mod required, works with vanilla clients

Need Help?

Just join our Discord server!

Credits

	Name	Role
	noramibu	Developer
	qpcrummer	Developer
	Tater Certified	Contributing Organization