Build Better

Build Better lets you focus on how you want to build things, not fiddling with minecrafts default build UI. Client Side, Build Better gives you more control over block placement and let's you see where and how blocks will be placed before you place them. Preview, adjust orientation, and nudge position precisely with free placement mode.

Inspired by:

• Effortless Building ...no updates for a while ::sad face::
• Tweakeroo ... and literally everything Masa makes.
• Satisfactory They know how to make a game playable.

Features

Placement Preview

• Shows a "ghost block" where you're pointing so you know where you're about to place it.
• Block-specific placement rules for stair variants, fences, hopper direction... basically everything. so you can see what you'll get when you place it.
• Falling blocks like sand show where they'll actually land--even scaffolding.
• If you cannot place the block, the preview turns red and shows a warning icon.

Four Placement Modes

Press B to cycle between modes, or hold B to open a selection screen.

• Vanilla — No preview, standard Minecraft placement. Press H anytime for on-demand free placement.
• Preview — Always-on ghost block preview. The mod default mode.
• Hold to Preview — Preview appears while holding right-click. Release to place.
• Click and Release — First click shows the preview, second click confirms placement.

Control Orientation

Ctrl+Scroll cycles through valid property values for the block you're holding — stair facing, slab half, log axis, glazed terracotta direction, and more. The preview updates in real-time so you can see the result before placing.

For blocks with multiple properties, Ctrl+Shift+Scroll switches which property you're cycling. Only build related properties are shown.

Free Placement

Press H to lock the preview in place, then use arrow keys and Page Up/Page Down to nudge it in any direction. Movement is camera-relative — arrow keys move the preview relative to where you're looking.

Right-click to place at the held position. Works across all placement modes.

In creative mode, free placement has unlimited range using /setblock commands. In survival, placement is limited to your normal block interaction range.

Beta Notice

This is an early beta release. The core preview and placement features are ready, but there's much more planned:

• Drag Placement — Click and drag to place lines, walls, and floors in a single action
• Build Plane — Lock placement and breaking to a specific Y-level or vertical slice
• Randomizer — Randomize block selection with configurable ratios (e.g., 70% stone, 20% cobble, 10% andesite)
• Shapes — Generate circles, arches, domes, cylinders, and spheres
• Patterns — Apply checkerboard, stripes, gaps, or optimal lighting spacing over placed regions

Feedback Welcomed, Where? TBD

Controls

Compatibility

• Minecraft: 1.21.11
• Fabric: Requires Fabric API
• NeoForge: Standalone
• Side: Client only — no server installation needed
• Mod Menu: Supported (Fabric) — access settings from the mod list