Installation

Set up Sulkan 0.5.1 for Minecraft Java 26.3 and launch the included shader pack.

Sulkan 0.5.1 · Minecraft 26.3 · Native format 1

Requirements

Component	Required for 0.5.1
Minecraft Java Edition	26.3
Fabric Loader	0.19.4 or newer
Fabric API	0.160.5 or newer, built for Minecraft 26.3
Sodium	0.9.2 or newer, built for Minecraft 26.3
Java runtime	25 or newer
Graphics	Vulkan-capable GPU with up-to-date drivers

These minimum versions come from the published mod’s fabric.mod.json. Download matching game builds even when a dependency’s version number is newer.

1. Create a Fabric instance

Install Fabric Loader for Minecraft 26.3, or create a Fabric instance in your launcher. Make sure the instance uses Java 25 or newer.

Use a fresh instance for your first test so other renderer mods do not complicate setup.

2. Install the dependencies

Download Fabric API and Sodium, choosing the Minecraft 26.3 versions. Put their JARs in the active instance’s mods/ folder.

Sodium is required and is not bundled inside Sulkan. Launchers may install dependencies for you; check that all required mods are present.

3. Add Sulkan

Download Sulkan 0.5.1 from Modrinth or CurseForge. Put the JAR in the same mods/ directory.

<your Minecraft instance>/
└── mods/
    ├── fabric-api-…jar
    ├── sodium-…jar
    └── sulkan-0.5.1-26.3.jar

Do not unzip mod JARs. Do not install Sulkan on a dedicated server.

4. Launch and choose shaders

Launch the Fabric instance and open Video Settings → Shaders. The built-in Sulkan Realistic pack is already available and selected by default for a new configuration.

Start with Medium defaults, load a world, then use Pack Settings to adjust the look and quality.

If Vulkan does not start

On a clean launch with the graphics backend left at Default, Sulkan prefers Vulkan before Minecraft creates the window. Explicit OpenGL choices and Minecraft’s startup recovery are respected.

If Minecraft falls back to OpenGL, Sulkan pauses shader effects and explains the state on the title screen. Choose Use Vulkan next launch and restart manually after checking drivers and GPU selection.

A fallback alone does not prove that the GPU lacks Vulkan support. Read troubleshooting if the renderer still does not start.