WTHIT | Block Tooltip Mod

See What You Are Looking At With WTHIT

The WTHIT mod for Minecraft drops a small tooltip onto your screen that names the block or fluid in your crosshair. Point at a machine, an ore, or a stranger's custom block, and the name (plus extra details) appears without you opening any menu. It is the modern continuation of the classic Waila and Hwyla tooltip lineage, rebuilt to keep up with current Minecraft.

The name stands for "What The Hell Is That?", which is the exact question this tool answers. The original Waila came from ProfMobius, then TehNut carried the idea forward as Hwyla. WTHIT, by badasintended, picks up where that chain left off and keeps the tooltip feeling fast and unobtrusive.

How the Live Tooltip Works

WTHIT watches where your crosshair lands and pulls information about that target into a compact overlay. By default it shows the block or fluid name. From there, other mods can layer on richer detail like durability, stored energy, or the contents of an inventory. The tooltip hides away when you are not looking at anything, so it never gets in the way of regular play.

Under the hood it relies on two small companion libraries. The Fabric API provides the common hooks Fabric mods share, and badpackets handles the lightweight messaging between your client and the server. Both come along for the ride when you set things up.

A Built-In API Other Mods Plug Into

What makes WTHIT more than a name label is its API. Mod authors can register their own providers and feed real data into the tooltip. A tech mod can show its energy buffer, a storage mod can list what a chest holds, and a magic mod can surface a ritual's progress. You see this in action when installed packs display inventories, NBT values, and machine gauges directly under the block name.

If you run a heavier mod list and want broader tech compatibility, the Megane companion project exists specifically to add those bridges. It is worth checking once your core setup is running.

Client-Side or Server-Side?

A common assumption is that WTHIT runs purely on the client. That is only half true. Basic name display works with just the client install, so singleplayer and most casual setups get useful information for free.

Anything that reads NBT data, like inventory contents or detailed machine state, needs the mod present on the server too. If a tooltip is blank or missing the advanced fields you expected on a multiplayer world, the server almost certainly does not have it installed. Drop it into the server mods folder and the deeper details come through.

Installing WTHIT

The setup is the standard mod-install flow. Grab the loader your pack already uses and the matching WTHIT jar.

1. Install your mod loader of choice. If you are new to this, the how to install Minecraft mods walkthrough covers the basics.
2. Drop the WTHIT jar into your mods folder, alongside Fabric API and badpackets.
3. Launch the game and look at any block. The tooltip should appear immediately.

For loader-specific steps, the Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, and Quilt guides each walk through their own install process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does WTHIT work alongside other tooltip or HUD mods?

In most cases yes. It is built as a direct successor to Waila and Hwyla, so packs that relied on either can usually switch over cleanly. For tech mods that need extra bridges, Megane adds compatibility for a wide range of popular machinery and energy systems.

Why are some tooltip fields blank on my server?

That points to the server not running WTHIT. Client-only install gives you the block name, but anything that pulls NBT data, like inventory contents, needs the server side too. Add it to the server mods folder and reconnect.

Is WTHIT still being updated?

The project stays current, with releases landing for recent Minecraft updates. The most recent release is from 2026, so check the project page for the latest status and any new builds before you install.

Do I need Fabric API?

Yes. Fabric API and badpackets are the two required dependencies, and both load automatically alongside the main jar on Fabric and Quilt. Forge and NeoForge users get the equivalent bundles for their loader.