What's Fabric?
Fabric is a lightweight mod loader that's become the go-to for performance mods and newer content. It updates faster than Forge when new Minecraft versions drop (sometimes within hours), which is why it's popular with players who want the latest features.
Most of the modern performance scene grew up on Fabric. Sodium, Lithium, Phosphor, and Iris all shipped Fabric-first, and new optimization mods still tend to land there before getting Forge or NeoForge ports. If raw FPS is your priority, Fabric (or its fork Quilt) is usually the safest bet.
Setting up Fabric
Click the + button in GDLauncher, pick your Minecraft version, and choose Fabric. Use the latest stable Fabric loader version and create the instance.
Most Fabric mods depend on the Fabric API library. GDLauncher resolves mod dependencies automatically: when you install a mod that needs Fabric API (or any other library), the launcher pulls it in for you. No separate step required.
Essential mods
Open your instance, go to the Addons tab, and grab these performance mods:
Sodium massively improves rendering. Lithium optimizes game logic and physics. FerriteCore reduces memory usage. Together they can double or triple your FPS with zero gameplay changes.
For quality of life: Mod Menu gives you an in-game menu to configure mods. Sodium Extra adds more graphics options. Iris lets you run shaders without sacrificing Sodium's performance.
Fabric vs Forge
Fabric updates faster and has better performance mods. Forge has a larger mod library and most of the classic big content mods. Many popular mods now exist for both, but not all.
Choose based on the mods you want to play. If you're after optimization and newer content, Fabric's your pick. If you want specific Forge-only mods, go with Forge.
OptiFine replacement
OptiFine doesn't work with Fabric. Instead, use:
Sodium for performance. Iris for shaders. Continuity for connected textures (so adjacent glass, bookshelves, sandstone, etc. visually merge into one surface instead of showing per-block borders). LambDynamicLights for dynamic lighting (held torches actually light the area around you). These usually outperform OptiFine anyway.
Troubleshooting
Seeing "missing Fabric API" errors? Open your instance's Addons tab and check Fabric API is in the list. If it isn't, search for "Fabric API" and install it manually.
Crashes on startup usually mean a mod is for the wrong version, the wrong loader (not actually a Fabric mod), or missing dependencies. Check the mod's page for requirements.