Litematica Complete Reference Guide

🗺️

Overview & Philosophy

Litematica is a purely client-side schematic mod for Minecraft Java Edition (Fabric). It renders a ghost "hologram" overlay of a structure you want to build, and provides tools to select, save, verify, and — in creative mode — bulk-paste structures.

⬇ Download on Modrinth ⌥ Source on GitHub

What It Does

Displays ghost blueprint overlays of schematics
Guides block-by-block building in survival
Captures existing builds as schematic files
Verifies your build matches the schematic
Tracks what materials you still need
Pastes schematics in creative mode

Works On

Singleplayer worlds
Minecraft Realms ✓
Vanilla servers ✓
Fabric servers (enhanced features)
Any server — no mods needed server-side

ℹ️

Client-Only Mod

Litematica runs entirely on your machine. The server never knows it exists. Ghost rendering, layer mode, material list, and the schematic verifier all work on vanilla Realms with zero server setup.

Requirements

Required

Fabric Loader
MaLiLib (library mod)
Litematica itself

Recommended Companions

Fabric API
MiniHUD (info overlays)
Tweakeroo (quality-of-life tweaks)
Item Scroller (inventory management)

Schematic File Format

Litematica uses the .litematic format. Place schematic files in .minecraft/schematics/. The mod also reads older .schematic files exported by WorldEdit or MCEdit.

🛠️

Tool Modes

Litematica has 9 tool modes. The tool item (default: stick) changes behavior based on the active mode. A HUD at the bottom-left shows the current mode when you hold the tool. Clicks only work when you're holding the tool item — without a stick in hand, left-click just destroys blocks normally. Enable/disable with MT.

💡

Cycling Modes

Hold LEFT_CONTROL and scroll the mouse wheel to cycle through tool modes. You can also use the mode button in the bottom-left of the main menu (M).

#	Mode Name	Primary Use	Creative Only?
1	Area Selection	Define regions to save as schematics	✓ Any mode
2	Schematic Placement	Position & orient ghost overlays	✓ Any mode
3	Fill	Fill a selection with one block type	⚠ Creative only
4	Replace Block	Swap all blocks of one type with another	⚠ Creative only
5	Paste Schematic	Bulk-paste a schematic into the world	⚠ Creative only
6	Grid Paste	Paste in a repeating grid pattern	⚠ Creative only
7	Move	Physically move a region of the world	⚠ Creative only
8	Delete	Delete all blocks in a selection (fill w/ air)	⚠ Creative only
9	Schematic Edit	Edit a schematic in memory (not the world)	✓ Any mode

📐

Mode 1 — Area Selection

Area Selection

Define rectangular regions to capture as schematics

Any game mode

Area Selection is where you define what to save. You draw one or more rectangular boxes around a structure. Once all chunks are loaded, you export the selection as a .litematic file.

⚠️ You must hold the tool item (default: stick)
Litematica only intercepts your clicks when you're holding the configured tool item. Without it, clicks do normal Minecraft things — breaking blocks in creative, placing in survival, etc. Keep a stick in your main hand or offhand. Enable the tool with MT and confirm the ToolHUD is visible in the bottom-left. You can change the tool item in MC → Generic → Tool Item.

Two Selection Sub-Modes

Cycle between them with LEFT_CONTROLM:

Corners Mode (default)

Left-click sets corner 1. Right-click sets corner 2. The box is defined by the two diagonal corners you click.

Expand Mode

Right-click collapses the selection to the clicked point. Left-clicking on an edge expands the box outward. Good for growing a selection gradually.

Mouse Controls (hold tool item)

Action	What Happens
`Left Click`	Set corner 1 at targeted block (Corners mode)
`Right Click`	Set corner 2 at targeted block (Corners mode)
`Middle Click`	Select a corner, edge, or sub-region box for adjustment
`LEFT_ALT` + scroll	Nudge the selected corner/box in the direction you're looking
`LEFT_ALT` + `Middle Click`	Move the entire selection origin

Keyboard Shortcuts

Hotkey	Action
`MA`	Add a new selection box (sub-region)
`MS`	Open Selection Manager
`KP_MULTIPLY`	Open Area Editor (name, save, settings)
`LEFT_CONTROLM`	Cycle sub-mode: Corners ↔ Expand
`LEFT_CONTROLLEFT_ALTS`	Save selection as schematic

⚠️

Missing Chunks Warning

If your selection spans unloaded chunks, a "Missing Chunks" counter appears at the bottom-right. Walk through the entire selection area to load all chunks before saving, or the schematic will have gaps.

Normal vs. Simple Mode

Inside the Area Selection tool, there are two further modes controlling how many boxes you can have:

Normal mode — multiple named sub-regions sharing one origin. Use this for complex builds with multiple distinct parts (e.g., a house + its garden + its basement as separate sub-regions).
Simple mode — one box only. Faster for straightforward single-structure captures.

Server Notes

Area selection is fully client-side. However, on multiplayer servers (including Realms), saved schematics will have empty containers — the server does not transmit chest/furnace inventory data to clients. Block structure is captured correctly; only NBT data in block entities is missing.

🔵

Mode 2 — Schematic Placement

Schematic Placement

Position, rotate, and select loaded schematic overlays

Any game mode

Schematic Placement mode is for positioning the ghost overlay in the world. No blocks are placed here — you are only moving, rotating, and selecting the blueprint. This is purely visual and client-side.

ℹ️

Selected Placement Indicator

The currently selected placement is highlighted with a light cyan outline and its name appears in the tool HUD at the bottom-left of the screen.

Mouse Controls (hold tool item)

Action	What Happens
`Left Click` or `Right Click`	Move the placement origin to the targeted block position
`Middle Click`	Select (cycle through) schematic placements in the world
`LEFT_ALT` + scroll	Nudge the placement one block at a time in the direction you're looking

Keyboard Shortcuts

Hotkey	Action
`M` `P`	Open Schematic Placements list
`KP_SUBTRACT`	Open Placement Settings (rotate, mirror, offset)
`M` `G`	Toggle ghost block rendering on/off
`M` `R`	Toggle ALL mod rendering on/off

Placement Configuration (KP_SUBTRACT)

The Placement Settings screen lets you:

Rotate 90°, 180°, 270° (4 orientations)
Mirror on X or Z axis
Set exact coordinate offsets (X/Y/Z)
Enable "Grid" repetition (for Grid Paste mode)
Name the placement
Lock the placement against accidental moves

💡

Lock After Positioning

Once you have the placement exactly where you want it, use the Placement Settings to lock it. An accidental click with the tool won't move it. Unlock when you need to reposition.

Loading a Schematic

Place the .litematic file in .minecraft/schematics/
Press M → "Load Schematics"
Select the file, check "Create a Placement," click "Load Schematic"
The ghost overlay appears in the world (offset may need adjustment)
Switch to Schematic Placement mode and position it correctly

🟧

Mode 3 — Fill

Fill

Fill the area selection with a single block type

Creative only

Fill mode replaces every block inside the current area selection with a single block type of your choosing. Useful for clearing large spaces, creating flat platforms, or prepping terrain.

How to Use

Define your area selection (Mode 1) first
Switch to Fill mode (LEFT_CONTROL + scroll)
Hold the block you want to fill with in your main hand
Middle-click while holding TOOL_SELECT_MODIFIER_BLOCK_1 to set the fill block
Press your executeOperation hotkey to run the fill (unbound by default — assign it in MC → Hotkeys; M= is one common choice)

Mouse Controls

Action	What Happens
`Left Click` / `Right Click`	Set area selection corners (same as Area Selection mode)
`Middle Click` (with modifier held)	Pick and set the primary fill block from the targeted block

⚠️

Server Requirements

On multiplayer (including Realms), Fill sends /fill commands to the server. This requires operator permissions. On singleplayer, it modifies the world directly with no commands needed.

🔄

Mode 4 — Replace Block

Replace Block

Replace all instances of one block type with another within the selection

Creative only

Replace Block scans the area selection and swaps every block of type A for type B. Perfect for changing materials in a built structure — swapping oak planks for dark oak, or stone for deepslate.

Block Slots

Primary block (Block 1) — the replacement block (what you want it to become)
Secondary block (Block 2) — the block to be replaced (what's currently there)

Set each by middle-clicking while holding the respective modifier key.

Mouse Controls

Action	What Happens
`Middle Click` + BLOCK_1 modifier	Pick the primary (replacement) block from the targeted block
`Middle Click` + BLOCK_2 modifier	Pick the secondary (to-be-replaced) block from the targeted block
`Left Click` / `Right Click`	Set area selection corners

📋

Mode 5 — Paste Schematic

Paste Schematic in World

Bulk-place all blocks from the schematic into the real world

Creative only

🚫

This Is NOT Easy Place

Paste Schematic is a bulk one-shot operation that places hundreds or thousands of blocks at once via commands. Easy Place (a separate feature) is a gentle, one-block-at-a-time guided placement. Do not confuse them.

Paste Schematic sends a flood of /setblock and /fill commands to write the entire schematic into the real world instantly. No items are consumed. Player position and range don't matter. Blocks are placed server-side.

Requirements Checklist

Creative mode is mandatory
A placement must be selected (cyan outline visible)
Tool item must be held (or disable that requirement in settings)
On Realms: you must be OP (realm owner or granted operator)

Paste Replace Behavior

Cycle with LEFT_CONTROLM:

Setting	Behavior
None	Only places blocks into empty air; existing blocks are never overwritten
With non-air	Non-air schematic blocks replace world blocks; schematic air does not carve spaces
All	Places everything — if the world block differs from the schematic block, it gets replaced

Paste Controls

Hotkey	Action
`M=` (`executeOperation` — unbound by default, set in `MC` → Hotkeys)	Execute the paste — places all blocks
`LEFT_CONTROLM`	Cycle paste replace behavior (None / With non-air / All)
`Middle Click` on placement	Select a different placement to paste

Singleplayer vs. Multiplayer

Feature	Singleplayer	Realms / Multiplayer
Block placement	Direct world write — instant	Via `/setblock` + `/fill` commands
NBT data (chests, signs)	Fully preserved	Empty — commands can't send full NBT
Block ticks (redstone)	Preserved	Lost
Block update suppression	Auto (no redstone fires)	Requires Carpet mod on server
Permissions needed	None	OP / `/setblock` permission

Performance Settings

pasteCommandLimit — max /setblock commands per tick (default 64; lower to avoid kicks on Realms)
pasteCommandInterval — ticks between paste bursts (increase on high-latency connections)
pasteUseFillCommand — batch uniform regions into single /fill commands (fewer total commands)

🔲

Mode 6 — Grid Paste

Grid Paste Schematic

Paste the schematic in a repeating grid pattern

Creative only

Grid Paste is identical to Paste Schematic but repeats the schematic in a configurable X/Y/Z grid. Excellent for tiling: identical houses in a row, fence sections repeated around a perimeter, floor tiles across a large area.

Configuration

Set up the repeat count and spacing via the Placement Settings screen (KP_SUBTRACT) → Grid/Repeat settings. Define how many copies in each axis and the block gap between them.

💡

Use Case: Repeating Structures

Build one house, save it as a schematic, then use Grid Paste with repeat count 5 on the X axis and 3 on the Z axis to instantly build a 5×3 grid of identical houses.

Server requirements and paste controls are identical to Mode 5 (Paste Schematic).

↔️

Mode 7 — Move

Move

Physically cut and paste a selected region to a new location

Creative only

Move physically relocates real-world blocks from one location to another. It's a cut-and-paste for the actual world — the original position becomes air, the new position gets the blocks. Useful for relocating a misplaced structure.

Mouse Controls

Action	What Happens
`Left Click`	Set corner 1 of the area to move
`Right Click`	Set corner 2 of the area to move
`Middle Click`	Select a corner or the origin
Scroll + grab modifier	Move the actual world blocks one block in the direction you're looking (cut + paste). The grab modifier key is unbound by default — assign it in `MC` → Hotkeys → `selectionGrabModifier`.
Scroll + nudge modifier	Nudge the area selection box itself (without moving blocks). The nudge modifier is `LEFT_ALT` by default (`selectionNudgeModifier` in `MC` → Hotkeys). Hold LEFT_ALT and scroll to shift the selection 1 block at a time.

⚠️

Destructive Operation

Move permanently removes blocks from the source location. There is no undo. Use with care, especially in Survival or on shared worlds.

🗑️

Mode 8 — Delete

Delete

Fill the selection or placement volume with air

Creative only

Delete fills the current area selection (or a schematic placement's bounding volume) with air. Toggle what gets deleted with LEFT_CONTROLM:

Area Selection Target

Deletes everything inside the drawn area selection boxes.

Schematic Placement Target

Deletes blocks within the exact volume of the selected placement. Great for clearing space exactly where you want to build.

⚠️

executeOperation is unbound by default

The executeOperation hotkey triggers the deletion — but it has no default binding. You must assign it in MC → Hotkeys before Delete mode will do anything (M= is one common choice). This same hotkey also executes Fill, Replace Block, and Paste operations.

On multiplayer, requires /fill command permission (OP on Realms).

✏️

Mode 9 — Schematic Edit

Schematic Edit (Rebuild)

Modify the schematic blueprint in memory — does not touch the real world

Any game mode

🚫

Exit When Done!

While in Schematic Edit mode, left-clicking and right-clicking edit the schematic, not the real world. When you finish editing, switch back to another mode or you'll accidentally modify the schematic every time you break or place a block near it.

Schematic Edit lets you modify the in-memory blueprint without touching the real world. Add, remove, or replace blocks inside the schematic. Changes are lost if you close the game without saving.

Basic Mouse Controls

Action	What Happens
`Left Click` (punch)	Remove the targeted schematic block from the schematic
`Right Click` (place)	Place/replace the targeted position with the held block
`Middle Click`	Store the targeted block's state for later use with empty hand
`LEFT_ALT` + `Middle Click`	Store targeted block state (toolSelectModifierBlock1 combo)

Bulk Operations (each needs its own hotkey bound in config)

Hotkey Name	How to Use	Effect
`schematicEditReplaceBlock`	Hold + right-click with new block in hand	Change that one block type, keeping all state properties (e.g. oak log → spruce log, same axis)
`schematicEditReplaceAll`	Hold + right-click with new block in hand	1:1 replacement — all identical block states everywhere in the schematic become the new block
`schematicEditBreakAllExcept`	Hold + left-click (punch) the block to keep	Remove everything in the schematic EXCEPT the block you punched
`schematicEditBreakPlaceAll`	Hold + punch to remove; hold + place to fill air	Removes all identical block instances, OR fills all air spaces with placed block
`schematicEditReplaceDirection`	Hold + right-click along a row	Replace blocks in a directional line (5-way arrow overlay shows direction)
`schematicEditBreakPlaceDirection`	Hold + punch/place along a row	Remove or fill blocks along directional rows

Getting Complex Block States

Some block states (open trapdoors, waterlogged blocks, fence connections) can't be obtained by simply clicking. The workaround:

Place the block correctly in the real world first (in the right state)
In Schematic Edit mode, look at it and press LEFT_ALT + Middle Click to store that state
Switch to an empty main hand
Right-click in the schematic to apply the stored state
The stored block name appears in the tool HUD when your hand is empty

Saving Edits

Edits are in-memory only until you save:

Press M → "Loaded Schematics" → select your schematic → "Save to File"
Use a new filename — overwriting the original can corrupt it in some mod versions
Click "Reload" to discard all unsaved changes and revert

ℹ️

No Server Permissions Needed

Schematic Edit is entirely client-side. You're editing the blueprint in RAM, not the Minecraft world. Works on Realms, vanilla servers, or anything else with zero server requirements.

📚

Building Layer by Layer

Layer rendering limits which Y-levels (or X/Z slices) of the schematic ghost are visible. Instead of seeing the entire 50-story ghost, you see just the floor you're currently working on. This is the core workflow for survival building with a schematic.

Layer Modes

Mode	What's Visible	Best For
All	Entire schematic — no layer filter (default)	Getting an overview, placing schematics, small builds
Single Layer	Exactly one Y-level of the schematic	Precise floor-by-floor building in survival
Layer Range	A contiguous band of Y-levels you define	Building sections: "show floors 3–5 at once"

Layer Controls

Hotkey	Action
`M` + `PAGE_UP`	Cycle to the next layer mode (All → Single → Range → All…)
`M` + `PAGE_DOWN`	Cycle to the previous layer mode
`M` + `0`	Snap layer to player position — sets the active layer to your current Y coordinate
`LEFT_ALT` + `UP`	Move the active layer up by one block
`LEFT_ALT` + `DOWN`	Move the active layer down by one block

💡

The Most Useful Hotkey for Layer Building: M+0

M+0 snaps the layer rendering to your current feet position instantly. As you climb your structure floor by floor, just press M+0 and the ghost updates to show exactly the layer you're standing on — no counting blocks required.

Layer-by-Layer Workflow

Load your schematic and position the placement correctly
Press M+PAGE_UP to switch to Single Layer mode
Stand at the starting layer (usually the foundation) and press M+0 to snap the layer to your position
Build everything the ghost shows at that layer
Press LEFT_ALT+UP to advance one layer (or climb up and press M+0 again)
Repeat until complete
Use M+V (Schematic Verifier) to check each section as you go

Axis Control

Layer rendering doesn't have to be horizontal (Y-axis). In the Render Layer Edit screen (accessible via config), you can set the axis to X, Y, or Z, and optionally enable "Follow Player" to auto-track your position. For most builds, Y-axis (horizontal floors) is what you want.

ℹ️

Layer Mode Affects Verifier and Material List

When a layer filter is active, the Schematic Verifier and Material List can be scoped to show only the visible layer range. This lets you verify floor 5 specifically, or count materials for just the next 3 layers you're about to build.

⚡

Easy Place — Guided Auto-Placement

ℹ️

Easy Place is NOT Schematic Paste

Easy Place is a one-block-at-a-time placement assistant. You still click every block yourself. It just makes sure each click lands on the right spot with the right block selected. Schematic Paste (Mode 5) is a bulk, fully-automated bulk command. They are completely different features.

What Easy Place Does

When Easy Place is active, every right-click you make is intercepted by Litematica. Instead of placing a block wherever you're pointing, it:

Identifies the nearest schematic block that hasn't been placed yet
Automatically switches your hotbar to the correct block for that position
Redirects your click to the correct target position with the correct orientation
Places the block as a normal vanilla right-click — the server sees a completely ordinary block placement

The server never knows Easy Place is running. It receives standard, unmodified block placement packets (with one exception — see the Protocol section below).

How to Enable Easy Place

Press M to open the main menu
Go to Configuration Menu → Generic tab
Find easyPlaceMode and toggle it ON
Alternatively, bind a hotkey to easyPlaceToggle in the Hotkeys tab for quick toggling

Using Easy Place

Action	What Happens
`Right Click` (the use key)	Auto-places the correct schematic block at the nearest missing position
Hold `Right Click` (if Hold enabled)	Continuously places blocks while held — good for long walls

Easy Place Protocol — Critical for Realms

Directional blocks (stairs, logs, pistons, observers, hoppers, dispensers) need the server to receive extra information about which direction to face them. This requires the "Accurate Block Placement Protocol." Configure via easyPlaceProtocolVersion in Generic settings:

Protocol	Server Requirement	What Works
Auto (default)	None — auto-detects	Slabs only on vanilla/Realms; full on Fabric servers with Carpet
Version 2	Carpet Extra mod + `accurateBlockPlacement` rule enabled	Full rotation for all block types
Version 3	Litemoretica mod on server	Full rotation for all block types
Slabs Only	None — vanilla compatible	Only top/bottom slab distinction; all other orientations random
None	None	No orientation correction at all

🚫

Ghost Block Warning on Realms (1.18.2+)

Do NOT set easyPlaceProtocolVersion to Version 2 or 3 on vanilla Realms. Minecraft 1.18.2+ rejects modified block-placement packets from unrecognized protocols, causing ghost blocks (blocks appear client-side but don't exist on the server). Leave it on Auto or Slabs Only.

What Works on Realms with Easy Place

✓ Works Perfectly

Non-directional blocks (stone, glass, dirt, wool…)
Top vs. bottom slabs
Any block without orientation properties
Auto hotbar switching to the correct block

✗ Broken on Realms

Stairs (facing + half)
Logs (axis orientation)
Pistons, dispensers, droppers
Observers, hoppers
Any block with a facing/rotation property

For directional blocks on Realms: place them manually by hand, using the ghost overlay as a guide for where they go and the block info overlay to see which direction they should face.

Easy Place Configuration Options

Setting	Default	What It Does
`easyPlaceMode`	false	Master toggle for Easy Place
`easyPlaceHold`	true	Place continuously while right-click is held (vs. one click = one block)
`easyPlaceFirst`	true	Place closest block first (true) or farthest first (false)
`easyPlaceVanillaReach`	false	Limit reach to 4.5 blocks so servers don't reject far placements
`easyPlaceSwapInterval`	0 ms	Delay after hotbar swap before placing — increase for high-ping servers
`easyPlaceProtocolVersion`	Auto	Which rotation protocol to use (see table above)
`pickBlockAuto`	false	Auto-switch hotbar to the needed block (works with Easy Place)

🔍

Schematic Verifier

The Schematic Verifier scans your build and compares every block against the schematic. It answers: "What did I get wrong, and where is it?" It highlights mismatches in-world with colored overlays and lists them in a GUI.

ℹ️

Fully Client-Side

The verifier reads data the game client already has (chunk data and the schematic in memory). No server permissions, no server mods. Works identically on Realms, vanilla servers, or singleplayer.

Opening the Verifier

Press MV to open the Schematic Verifier GUI. Make sure you have a schematic placement active (visible cyan outline) before starting a scan.

Result Categories

MISSING

Schematic expects a block; world has air

WRONG BLOCK

Different block type than required

WRONG STATE

Right block, wrong orientation or property

EXTRA

World has a block; schematic expects air

CORRECT

Exact match (not highlighted by default)

⚠️

WRONG STATE is the Most Important Category for Redstone

A piston facing the wrong way, an observer pointing in the wrong direction, or a hopper aimed incorrectly — all appear as WRONG STATE. The block type is correct, but the orientation isn't. These are invisible to a naked eye but break technical builds entirely. Always scan for WRONG STATE mismatches on redstone projects.

Verifier Workflow

Position and lock the placement, then start building
Press MV to open the Schematic Verifier
Click "Start" to begin the scan (it runs chunk by chunk in the background)
Colored overlays appear on problem blocks in-world
In the GUI, click a category header to select all problems of that type
The closest errors are highlighted in the Info HUD — navigate to them
Look at a problem block to see the detailed overlay: "Expected: oak_stairs[facing=north] | Found: oak_stairs[facing=east]"
Fix the block, re-run (or use Auto-Refresh)

Key Settings

Setting	What It Does
`verifierOverlay`	Toggle the colored in-world error highlight overlay
`verifierErrorHighlightAlpha`	Transparency of error highlights (default 0.2 — subtle)
`verifierErrorHighlightMaxPositions`	Max number of positions highlighted at once (default 1000)
`schematicVerifierUseBlockModels`	Use full block model shapes for highlights (more accurate outline)
Auto-Refresh	Re-verifies affected chunks automatically when blocks change in the world

Pro Verifier Tips

Verify Per Section

Run the verifier after completing each floor or section — don't wait until the whole build is done. Mistakes are faster and cheaper to fix with fresh context.

Use Layer Mode with Verifier

Activate Single Layer mode and set RENDER_LAYERS scope in the verifier GUI to check just the layer you're working on — the list won't be cluttered by errors from floors you haven't built yet.

Ignore EXTRA Blocks Temporarily

If you're building in an existing area and some "extra" blocks are intentional terrain, use the Ignore feature in the verifier GUI to remove those entries from the list.

📦

Material List

The Material List tells you exactly what blocks you need, how many you still need to collect, and how many you currently have. It's your shopping list and progress tracker in one.

Opening the Material List

Press ML to open the Material List GUI. Alternatively: M → main menu → Material List.

What the Columns Mean

Column	Meaning
Total	Full quantity required for the entire schematic
Missing	How many of this block are not yet placed (or placed incorrectly)
Available	How many you currently carry (in inventory, hotbar, or nearby storage)

Working with the Material List

Sort by column — click a column header to sort by that value; click again to reverse. Sort by Missing to see what you need most.
Hide Available — toggle to show only items you still need to collect; removes fully-stocked items from the list.
Ignore entry — remove a material from the list (e.g., blocks you're intentionally skipping or substituting).
Multiplier — scale the total/missing counts if you're building multiple copies of the schematic.

Material List HUD

The HUD displays a live overlay of missing items while you play — you don't have to keep reopening the GUI. It shows item icons and counts and updates in real time as you pick up and place blocks.

Enable: Configuration → Info Overlays → materialListHudMaxLines controls how many items show
materialListSlotHighlight — highlights hotbar slots that hold needed materials (on by default)

Scoping the Material List

You can count materials for different things:

From schematic file — counts everything in the schematic regardless of what's built
From active placement — compares the schematic against the real world and shows only what's still missing
From area selection — counts materials within a defined selection box
Layer-scoped — when layer rendering is active, scope the material list to only the visible layers

💡

Inventory Integration

Open a nearby chest before checking the material list — Litematica scans the open container and includes its contents in the "Available" count. Combined with materialListFromContainer being enabled by default, you can check your storage and plan your gathering trips efficiently.

Exporting the Material List

The material list can be exported as a formatted table (CSV or ASCII). Use external tools like the Resource Calculator Litematica plugin to plan complex material gathering outside the game.

🎯

Placement Controls — Fine-Tuning Position & Rotation

Getting the schematic placement exactly aligned to your world is critical. A single block off means the entire ghost overlay is wrong. Here's the complete set of controls for fine-tuning.

Nudging Placement

Control	Effect
`LEFT_ALT` + scroll (in Schematic Placement mode)	Move placement 1 block in the direction you're looking
`LEFT_ALT` + `BUTTON_3` (middle drag)	Move entire selection
Click with tool (left or right)	Teleport placement origin to clicked block

Placement Settings Screen (KP_SUBTRACT)

The most powerful placement adjustment tool. Press KP_SUBTRACT to open it for the currently selected placement:

Rotation

Rotate the schematic 90°, 180°, or 270° around the Y axis. Four orientations: North, East, South, West. Rotates the entire ghost overlay.

Mirroring

Mirror on the X axis (left/right flip) or Z axis (front/back flip). Useful for symmetric builds or when you have the left half and need to mirror it.

Coordinate Offset

Enter exact X, Y, Z offsets. Perfect for aligning to chunk boundaries or specific coordinates you know in advance.

Lock/Unlock

Lock the placement to prevent accidental moves. The cyan outline changes appearance when locked. Always lock after positioning.

Aligning to Existing Structures

Load the schematic and switch to Schematic Placement mode
Click near your intended build location with the tool to get in the ballpark
Use LEFT_ALT + scroll to nudge precisely in each axis (look in each direction to nudge that way)
Use the ghost overlay as a guide — the block outline shows exactly where each block should be
Open KP_SUBTRACT to rotate or mirror if needed
Lock the placement once aligned

💡

Multiple Placements from One Schematic

You can load one schematic and create multiple separate placements — for example, a single tower schematic placed 4 times at each corner of a castle courtyard. Load once, position multiple times. Each placement can be rotated/mirrored independently.

📸

Schematic Capture Workflow

Capturing a build as a schematic — to share, to rebuild elsewhere, or to use as a reference for a future project.

Step-by-Step Capture

Prepare the area
Turn off any active redstone contraptions (piston heads mid-extend, powered observers, etc.) — these will be captured in their current state. Stop any tile entity activity you don't want frozen in the schematic.
Switch to Area Selection mode
Hold the tool item and LEFT_CONTROL+scroll to Mode 1, or press M and select Area Selection.
Define the selection
Left-click one corner, right-click the opposite corner (Corners mode). Make sure the selection fully contains the structure, including blocks slightly below the floor and above the highest point.
Fine-tune with nudge
Middle-click to select a corner, then LEFT_ALT+scroll to nudge it precisely. Open the Area Editor (KP_MULTIPLY) to see exact coordinates and adjust numerically.
Load all chunks
Walk the entire perimeter of the selection to ensure all chunks in the area are loaded. Watch the "Missing Chunks" counter in the bottom-right — wait for it to reach 0.
Name the schematic and save
Press LEFT_CONTROL+LEFT_ALT+S, or open the Area Editor (KP_MULTIPLY) → name your schematic → Save Schematic. The .litematic file saves to .minecraft/schematics/.

Multi-Region Capture (Advanced)

For complex builds with distinct sections you want to manage separately, use multiple sub-region boxes:

Press MA to add additional selection boxes
Name each sub-region in the Area Editor
All sub-regions save together into one .litematic file
When placing, you can toggle individual sub-regions on/off

Multiplayer Capture Limitations

Data Type	Captured on Realms?
Block types and states (facing, half, axis, etc.)	✓ Yes — full accuracy
Chest / container inventories	✗ No — always empty
Sign text and banner patterns	~ Partial
Villager trades and spawner data	✗ No
Entities (mobs, item frames, armor stands)	~ Basic data only
Scheduled block ticks (redstone timing)	✗ No

🌐

Works on Realms — What's Possible Without Server Mods

Litematica is a client mod. Everything that doesn't need to send special commands or modify server-side data works on vanilla Realms with no extra setup.

Feature	Works on Realms?	Notes
Ghost schematic rendering / overlay	✓ Yes	Purely client-side rendering
Layer-by-layer building mode	✓ Yes	Client-side render filter
Schematic Verifier	✓ Yes	Reads client chunk data + schematic
Material List	✓ Yes	Reads schematic + your inventory
Area Selection	✓ Yes	Drawing boxes is client-only
Save schematic (capture build)	✓ Yes	Block states captured; inventories/NBT are empty
Easy Place — non-directional blocks	✓ Yes	Stone, glass, wool, dirt, etc. — works fine
Easy Place — slabs (top/bottom)	✓ Yes	Slab orientation handled in Slabs Only protocol
Easy Place — directional blocks (stairs, logs)	✗ No	Requires Carpet Extra or Litemoretica on server
Schematic Paste (creative, if you're OP)	~ Yes, with OP	Realm owner or granted operator can use /setblock and /fill. Lower commandLimitPerTick to avoid kicks.
Schematic Paste — block NBT (chests, signs)	✗ No	Commands can't send full NBT data
Fill / Delete / Replace Block modes	~ Yes, with OP	Send /fill and /setblock commands — need operator access
Block-update suppression during paste	✗ No	Requires Carpet mod (fillUpdates false) — not available on Realms
Full inventory NBT in saved schematics	✗ No	Requires Fabric Carpet + MasaGadget + pcaSyncProtocol
Schematic Edit (in-memory)	✓ Yes	Edits blueprint in RAM — no server involvement

💡

Practical Realms Strategy

In survival: Use Easy Place freely — non-directional blocks will auto-place correctly, and for stairs/pistons/logs, use the ghost overlay as a visual guide and place them manually. The verifier will catch any wrong orientations.

In creative (as realm owner): Schematic Paste works if you're OP. Lower commandLimitPerTick to 5–10 to avoid being kicked for packet spam. Expect empty containers.

⌨️

My Hotkey Reference

These are my personal keybindings, not Litematica defaults. Most of the chord-based bindings (anything starting with M) come from a custom MaLiLib config — yours will differ on a fresh install. All hotkeys are fully rebindable via MC → Hotkeys tab. The one hotkey that ships unbound for everyone is executeOperation — you must assign it yourself before Delete, Fill, Replace Block, or Paste will work.

Main Controls

Hotkey	Action
`M`	Open main menu
`M` `C`	Open Configuration & Hotkeys screen
`M` `T`	Toggle tool item enabled/disabled
`LEFT_CONTROL` + scroll	Cycle through tool modes (while holding tool item)
`LEFT_CONTROL` `M`	Cycle selection sub-mode (Corners ↔ Expand) or paste replace behavior

Rendering

Hotkey	Action
`M` `R`	Toggle ALL mod rendering
`M` `G`	Toggle schematic ghost block rendering only

Layer Controls

Hotkey	Action
`M` + `PAGE_UP`	Cycle to next layer mode
`M` + `PAGE_DOWN`	Cycle to previous layer mode
`M` + `0`	Snap active layer to player's current Y position
`LEFT_ALT` + `UP`	Move active layer up one block
`LEFT_ALT` + `DOWN`	Move active layer down one block

GUI Access

Hotkey	Action
`M` `A`	Add new selection box
`M` `S`	Open Selection Manager
`M` `P`	Open Schematic Placements list
`M` `V`	Open Schematic Verifier
`M` `L`	Open Material List
`KP_MULTIPLY`	Open Area Editor (for current selection)
`KP_SUBTRACT`	Open Placement Settings (for selected placement)

Selection & Placement Manipulation

Hotkey	Action
`BUTTON_1` (left click, tool mode)	Place corner 1 of selection / move placement origin
`BUTTON_2` (right click, tool mode)	Place corner 2 / Easy Place action
`BUTTON_3` (middle click, tool mode)	Pick block (first mode) / select element
`M` + `BUTTON_3`	Toggle pick block mode
`LEFT_ALT` + scroll	Nudge selected element/placement in looking direction
`LEFT_ALT` + `BUTTON_3`	Move entire selection
`LEFT_CONTROL` + `LEFT_ALT` + `S`	Save selection as schematic

Operations (Fill / Delete / Paste)

Hotkey	Action
`M` `=`	`executeOperation` — execute Delete, Fill, Replace Block, or Paste (unbound by default; assigned here to `M=`)
`LEFT_CONTROL` `M`	In Delete mode: toggle target between Area Selection and Schematic Placement volume

💡

Pro Tips & Workflows

M+0 is Your Best Friend

While building layer by layer, press M+0 every time you change floors. It snaps the ghost to your current Y position without counting a single block.

Lock Placements Immediately

After positioning a placement, lock it in the Placement Settings (KP_SUBTRACT). One accidental click in Schematic Placement mode will otherwise move the origin, making the whole overlay wrong.

Middle-Click Selects Placements

In Schematic Placement mode, middle-clicking anywhere near the ghost overlay selects that placement. You don't need to open a GUI — just middle-click on the structure you want to work with.

Toggle Ghost to Check Progress

Press M+G to instantly toggle the ghost off and see your real build, then M+G again to compare with the schematic. Do this constantly while building to catch drift early.

WRONG STATE > WRONG BLOCK

In the verifier, always fix WRONG STATE mismatches first on redstone/mechanical builds. A piston facing 90° wrong looks fine visually but breaks the entire contraption.

Scope Material List to Current Layer

When building in Single Layer mode, scope the material list to visible layers only. You see exactly what blocks you need for just the next few floors, not the entire build.

One Schematic, Multiple Placements

Load a schematic once, then create multiple placements from it — rotated, mirrored, or placed in different locations. Each placement is independent. Great for symmetric builds or tiling.

Edit Mode Exit Warning

There is no visual alarm when you're in Schematic Edit mode and accidentally build in the real world near the schematic. Get in the habit of checking the tool HUD (bottom-left) to confirm which mode is active.

Turn Off Redstone Before Capturing

Stop pistons, depower observers, and turn off clocks before saving a schematic. Otherwise you'll capture pistons mid-extend or observers in a powered state, which looks wrong in the loaded schematic.

Easy Place + Placement Restriction Combo

Enable Placement Restriction alongside Easy Place. It prevents you from accidentally placing blocks in the wrong spot — if you click where the schematic doesn't expect a block, the click is blocked.

Paste Throttle on Realms

If using Schematic Paste on Realms (as OP), set commandLimitPerTick to 5–10. Higher values get you kicked for packet spam. It takes longer but it works.

Expand Mode for Organic Selection

Switch to Expand sub-mode (Ctrl+M in Area Selection) and left-click edges to grow the selection in one direction at a time — good for selections that need to fit precisely around an irregular structure.

Quick Reference: What to Do When Things Go Wrong

Problem	Solution
Ghost overlay disappeared	Press `MG` to toggle it back on; also check `MR` (all rendering)
Ghost moved to wrong location	Undo: open Placement Settings (`KP_SUBTRACT`) and set exact coordinates; or middle-click to reselect, then nudge back
Placement keeps moving accidentally	Lock the placement in Placement Settings (`KP_SUBTRACT`)
Breaking/placing blocks edits the schematic instead of the world	You're in Schematic Edit mode (mode 9). Switch to a different mode: `LEFT_CONTROL`+scroll
Easy Place causing ghost blocks on Realms	Set `easyPlaceProtocolVersion` to "Slabs Only" or "Auto" in Generic config
Material list shows wrong counts	Open the Loaded Schematics menu and verify the correct placement is selected; re-run the material count
Schematic verifier shows everything wrong	The placement origin is probably off by 1 block — recheck alignment and nudge with `LEFT_ALT`+scroll
Paste Schematic does nothing on multiplayer	You need OP/operator permissions to use /setblock. On Realms, only the owner and granted operators can paste.
"Missing Chunks" warning when saving	Walk the full perimeter of your selection to load all chunks before saving
Schematic edit changes lost	Save from Loaded Schematics → "Save to File." Edits are in-memory only until explicitly saved.