Go to Home Page Complementary Shaders logo
Download
Home How to install Unbound Reimagined Guides Download Complementary Shaders

How to install Complementary Shaders

Install Complementary Unbound or Complementary Reimagined on Minecraft Java Edition with Iris (recommended) or OptiFine, then enable the pack from Video Settings.

Typical stack: Fabric or Quilt, Sodium, Iris, then your shader ZIP. A shorter Iris walkthrough lives in the first-hour setup guide.

Download Unbound or Reimagined first if you do not have the ZIP yet. The optional Complementary Installer can place files, but it does not replace Iris or OptiFine.

Install with Iris Get Unbound ZIP

Get the ZIP, then pick a loader

Use Minecraft Java Edition (not Bedrock). Complementary needs Iris or OptiFine and a GPU that can run modern shaders.

Download one base pack and keep it as a ZIP: Complementary Unbound or Complementary Reimagined. Current stable builds are r5.9.3.

The Complementary Installer is optional helper software only. You still finish setup with a shader loader and the pack ZIP.

Iris path (recommended)

Modern Fabric or Quilt setup with Sodium. Best default for new installs.

Open Iris install steps

OptiFine path

Use when your modpack or habits already depend on OptiFine.

Open OptiFine install steps

Fabric and Sodium base

Build the performance stack before you enable shaders.

Open Fabric and Sodium steps

After the loader works

Once Iris or OptiFine launches cleanly and you have Unbound or Reimagined downloaded, finish with these steps.

  1. Create .minecraft/shaderpacks if the folder is missing.
  2. Copy ComplementaryUnbound or ComplementaryReimagined ZIP into shaderpacks.
  3. Launch the game with Iris or OptiFine active.
  4. Open Options > Video Settings > Shaders.
  5. Select the Complementary pack and apply a quality profile.
  6. Test a sunny biome, a dark cave, and the Nether before you raise Ultra options.

Common install mistakes

Extracting the ZIP into loose folders often breaks detection. Iris and OptiFine expect the pack ZIP or a single pack folder with shaders inside.

Mixing Fabric Iris with OptiFine in one instance causes loader conflicts. Use one stack per profile.

Installing only the Complementary Installer without a shader ZIP does not enable visuals. You still need Unbound or Reimagined.

If the screen goes black after enabling shaders, open the troubleshooting page before you delete Minecraft.

Choose Iris or OptiFine

Iris is the best default for modern Minecraft Java on Fabric or Quilt. Pair it with Sodium when you can.

OptiFine remains a solid choice when your modpack already depends on it. Do not run Iris and OptiFine in the same instance.

Need the performance mods first? Start with Fabric and Sodium, then add Iris and your Complementary ZIP.

After Complementary loads once

Walk a sunny area, a cave, and the Nether before you raise Ultra options. If something fails, use troubleshooting or the black screen guide instead of deleting your world.

When visuals look stable, tune quality with profiles or keep FPS alive with Potato settings.

Common questions

Install Fabric, add Iris and Sodium, download Unbound or Reimagined, then select the pack in Shaders. The Iris guide covers each click.
Yes as a helper. You still need a loader. See the installer download.
Wrong folder, extracted files, or a loader that never started. Confirm shaderpacks path and that Iris or OptiFine loaded.
Yes. Complementary Shaders do not run on Bedrock. Details are on the Bedrock page.
Start with Unbound for a natural look or Reimagined for a stylized grade. Compare them on Unbound vs Reimagined.

Choose your path