Prism Launcher + Fabric setup

Prism Launcher is a free, open-source Minecraft launcher that makes running modded instances painless. Pair it with Fabric and a handful of performance mods and you get a clean, fast, fully customizable HarvestSeason setup. This is the recommended path if you want control over exactly which mods you run.

Fair play note: Everything here — Fabric, Sodium, Lithium and the rest — is allowed and encouraged. Banned items (cheat clients, x-ray, autoclickers/macros) are never part of this setup. When in doubt about a specific mod, ask staff.

Step 1: Install Prism Launcher

1. Go to prismlauncher.org and download the installer for your OS. Only use the official site.
2. Run it and follow the prompts.
3. Open Prism. On first launch it will ask you to add your Microsoft account — do this now. HarvestSeason requires a paid Java account.
4. Prism may ask about Java. Modern Minecraft needs a recent Java runtime; Prism can download a compatible Java for you automatically. Let it.

Step 2: Create a Fabric instance on the right version

This is the most important step. The instance’s Minecraft version must match the server’s current version, shown on the website (/play or /status, or playharvestseason.com).

1. Click Add Instance (top-left).
2. In the version list, select the Minecraft version that matches the server. Tick “Release” to keep the list clean.
3. On the right side of the same dialog, under Mod Loader, choose Fabric and pick the latest Fabric loader for that version.
4. Name the instance something like HarvestSeason and click OK.

Always match the server version. If you join with the wrong version you will get an “outdated client” or “outdated server” message and be kicked.

Step 3: Add Fabric API

Almost every Fabric mod depends on Fabric API. Add it first.

1. Select your new instance, then click Edit.
2. Open the Mods tab on the left.
3. Click Download mods — Prism has a built-in browser for Modrinth and CurseForge.
4. Search Fabric API, select the version matching your Minecraft version, and add it.

Prism is smart about dependencies, but having Fabric API present first avoids surprises.

Step 4: Add the performance mods

Still in the Download mods browser, add these (all free on Modrinth):

Mod	Purpose
Sodium	Renderer rewrite — the big FPS gain
Lithium	Faster game logic / ticks
FerriteCore	Lower memory use
EntityCulling	Skips unseen entities
ImmediatelyFast	Faster UI/text rendering
Iris (optional)	Shader support on top of Sodium
Mod Menu (optional)	In-game mod config screen

Pick the build that matches your Minecraft version for each. Prism will flag any version mismatch. For a full explanation of each, see essential performance mods.

Shortcut: if this feels like a lot, install Fabulously Optimized instead — it bundles all of these already tuned, in one click.

Step 5: Set your RAM

1. With the instance selected, click Edit → Settings.
2. Tick Override under the Java/Memory section.
3. Set Maximum memory to around 4096 MB (4GB). Use 6144 MB (6GB) only if you run shaders or a large pack.
4. Leave Minimum memory lower (e.g. 512–1024 MB) or matched — it matters little.

More RAM is not better and can cause stutter. See allocating RAM correctly for the why.

Step 6: Launch and configure in-game

1. Select the instance and click Launch.
2. Once in the menu, open Options → Video Settings and apply the recommended video settings: render distance 8–12, simulation distance 6–8, Graphics Fast, VSync off while tuning.
3. Add the server: Multiplayer → Add Server, and enter the IP from the website.

Keeping mods updated

When the server bumps to a new Minecraft version (announced on the website), you will need a matching instance:

• The cleanest approach is to create a new instance on the new version and re-add the mods, or
• Use Prism’s Edit → Mods → Download mods to update each mod, but only after creating the instance on the new MC version.

Keeping the old instance around lets you fall back if needed.

Troubleshooting

• Instance won’t launch: check the log (Prism shows it). A missing Fabric API or a mod built for the wrong version is the usual cause — remove the mismatched mod.
• Crash on world load: a single incompatible mod. Disable mods half at a time (Prism lets you toggle them) to find the culprit.
• Connected but wrong version: your instance’s Minecraft version does not match the server. Make a new instance on the correct version.
• Won’t sign in: confirm a paid Microsoft Java account.

What’s next

Read essential performance mods to understand your mod list, then tune the best video settings.