How to install The One Who Watches mod on Forge

The One Who Watches is a Java Edition mod built for Forge. On its CurseForge page, Pixel_Coder lists builds for Minecraft 1.20.1 and 1.19.2, and every build from mod version 1.4.0 onward needs a second mod called GeckoLib. Get those three things lined up (game version, Forge, GeckoLib) and the install takes a few minutes.

This guide covers both ways to do it. If you already know which version you want, skip to the path that fits you. If you are unsure, read our comparison of the 1.20.1 and 1.19.2 builds first.

Before you start

Check these before downloading anything:

• You own Minecraft: Java Edition. This mod does not run on Bedrock, mobile or console.
• You know your target version: 1.20.1 or 1.19.2. The file behind this site's download button is the 1.20.1 build (TheOneWhoWatches-V1.4.4-1.20.1.jar).
• You have made a backup of any world you care about. Horror mods change how a world plays, and a backup costs nothing.

Path one: the CurseForge app

This is the lowest-effort route, because the app manages Forge for you.

1. Open the CurseForge app and choose Minecraft.
2. Create a custom profile. Pick Forge as the loader and 1.20.1 (or 1.19.2) as the game version.
3. Open the profile, browse mods and search for the mod. Searching for just "Who Watches" tends to surface it faster than the full name.
4. Install it. The app normally pulls in required dependencies; confirm that GeckoLib now appears in the profile's mod list.
5. Press Play. The profile launches with Forge loaded.

Path two: manual install

1. Install Forge

Download the Forge installer for your exact game version from the Forge project's own website, run it and choose "Install client". For 1.20.1 that means a 47.x Forge build; for 1.19.2 it means a 43.x build. Launch the new Forge profile once from the Minecraft Launcher, then close the game. That first launch creates the mods folder.

2. Add GeckoLib

Get the GeckoLib file made for Forge and the same game version. A GeckoLib build for Fabric, or for a different Minecraft version, will not work. The mod's CurseForge page lists GeckoLib under its relations, which is the safest place to check which one it expects. Our GeckoLib guide goes into detail.

3. Add the mod

Use the button in the download section to get the 1.20.1 jar, then move both jar files into your mods folder:

• Windows: %appdata%\.minecraft\mods
• macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/minecraft/mods
• Linux: ~/.minecraft/mods

Do not unzip the jars. Minecraft reads them as they are.

4. Launch and check

Start the Forge profile and open the Mods screen from the title menu. Both GeckoLib and The One Who Watches should be listed. If the game closes instead, the crash screen or log usually names the missing or mismatched file; our troubleshooting guide walks through the usual causes.

What to expect in your first world

Do not expect anything on the first night. The mod's own FAQ says the entity will not spawn during the first day/night cycle, and that it may not show up every night after that. A quiet start is normal, not a sign the install failed. When you are ready for what comes next, our survival guide is a good read.

Installing on a server

CurseForge lists the mod's environment as client and server. In practice that means the server needs the mod and GeckoLib in its own mods folder, and every player joining needs the same versions installed on their client.