DAI 2.1 — Input & Datapack Control Update

DAI 2.1 expands the physical input and reaction framework, allowing datapacks to build complete control schemes directly through JSON.

Universal Attack Input

• Added player_attack_input.
• Fires on physical left-click before Minecraft determines whether the player hit an entity, block, or empty air.
• Can be overridden by datapacks to replace normal melee or mining behavior.
• Overridden LMB remains suppressed until release, preventing vanilla block breaking from leaking through.

Per-Tick Input Reaction

• Added player_input_tick.
• Fires once every active gameplay tick.
• Supports held-button abilities, charge mechanics, button combinations, and datapack-controlled input timing.

Generic Keybind Conditions

Added:

{
  "type": "keybind_held",
  "parameter": "jump",
  "operator": "is_true"
}

{
  "type": "keybind_pressed",
  "parameter": "attack",
  "operator": "is_true"
}

{
  "type": "keybind_released",
  "parameter": "use",
  "operator": "is_true"
}

{
  "type": "keybind_exists",
  "parameter": "examplemod:special_ability",
  "operator": "is_true"
}

Custom Keybind Support

DAI can now inspect key mappings registered by Minecraft and other NeoForge mods.

Custom mappings can be referenced by their registered translation ID:

{
  "type": "keybind_pressed",
  "parameter": "key.examplemod.special_ability",
  "operator": "is_true"
}

Mappings following the normal key.<namespace>.<path> format can also use shorthand:

{
  "type": "keybind_pressed",
  "parameter": "examplemod:special_ability",
  "operator": "is_true"
}

Built-In Aliases

DAI supports shorthand mappings for attack/use, movement, jump, sneak, sprint, inventory controls, drop, offhand swap, pick block, chat, command, screenshot, perspective, toolbar controls, advancements, and hotbar slots 1–9.

Compatibility

• input_attack_held remains supported.
• input_use_held remains supported.
• Existing entity-attack and block-break reactions remain unchanged.
• Existing datapacks do not need to migrate.
• New universal reactions only suppress vanilla behavior when explicitly overridden by a datapack.

New Possibilities

DAI datapacks can now build empty-air attack abilities, press/hold/release controls, LMB + RMB combinations, charge-and-release skills, custom hotkeys, and fully datapack-defined combat control schemes.