Locks Reforged

1.8.2 — NeoForge 1.21.1

Adds Create vault support, fixes key crafting and key rings, and improves lock persistence, automation protection and arena commands.

Clients and servers must both run 1.8.2. Existing locks and keys remain compatible.

Create compatibility

• Lock an entire item vault from any block. Supports complete vaults up to 81 blocks, including placement through /locks ensure. Incomplete or partly unloaded vaults are refused with an explanation.
• Locked vaults block item transfers, including automation that accessed the inventory before it was locked. Transfers resume when the vault is unlocked.
• Vaults with an attached lock keep their shape. Merging, splitting, wrench rotation, dismantling and contraption assembly are blocked until the lock is removed—even if it is unlocked.
• Mechanical crafters can pair keys, returning the source lock or key exactly once when the compatibility hook and crafting settings allow it.
• Added settings for vault support, maximum vault size and mechanical-crafter pairing. Supports Create 0.5.1.x and 6.0.x, with compatibility checks for the installed version.

Keys and key rings

• Fixed key pairing losing or duplicating items, including stackable items added by modpacks and shift-crafting.
• Key rings now accept only valid, paired keys. Inventory handling and shift-clicking no longer lose or duplicate keys. Ring screens stay tied to the ring that opened them and close if it is moved or removed.
• Fixed opening worn Curios rings: sneak and right-click the air with an empty main hand. Worn rings now act only on the unobstructed lock you are looking at.
• Keys, rings and the Master Key now toggle all matching locks on a target together. Any lock the key cannot open still keeps the target secured.
• Unpaired and damaged keys are clearly labeled. Inspecting an item no longer silently changes its key ID, and new locks use an improved ID format.
• Netherite upgrades preserve key pairing, names, enchantments and ownership while applying the correct netherite pin count.
• Fixed older placed locks returning an item that no longer matched their keys when removed.

Lock reliability and containers

• Locks spanning multiple chunks retain their latest state after a restart. Older chunk data can no longer undo changes or bring back removed locks.
• Removing a lock no longer forces its other chunks to load.
• Damaged saved lock records are preserved and reported through /locks info, rather than deleted. These records do not enforce protection.
• Automation rechecks locks on every transfer. Previously accessed inventories can no longer bypass a newly applied lock, and brewing-stand item handlers are now protected.
• Fixed hoppers accessing a locked half of a double chest through the other half.
• Hopper, dispenser, dropper and shulker-box screens now close when the inventory becomes locked against the viewer.

Commands and arena support

• Added /locks area query and a present query option. Queries return the number of matching locks.
• Arena locks can be fixed in place using /locks ensure <pos> <lock_item> removable false. Players can still pick or unlock them, but cannot remove or transport them.
• Commands recognize whole double chests, doors and Create vaults, with clearer errors for unloaded targets. ensure reports conflicting lock types instead of replacing them.
• Area commands affect whole locks that touch the selected region, including those extending beyond its edges.
• Reset commands count all locks in the requested state, including ones already there. Datapacks relying on previous result counts or area behavior should be reviewed.
• Reworked the example arena datapack with repeatable relocking, loot refills, boss respawns and a stop on reset failure.

Other changes and upgrading

• Redrawn steel ore, deepslate steel ore, steel ingot and steel nugget textures.
• Back up before downgrading. Older versions cannot preserve the new key ID format and may break pairings for newly created locks and keys.

Dedicated-server checks passed with Create 0.5.1.j, Create 6.0.8 and without Create. Real-client interactions, mechanical-crafter pairing, packagers, trains, Carry On with Create and multiplayer key behavior still need testing.