🎯 Hitbox#
#bs.hitbox:help
Work with the hitboxes of blocks and entities.
“Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.”
—Arthur Schopenhauer
🔧 Functions#
You can find below all functions available in this module.
Bake entity#
- #bs.hitbox:bake_entity
Bake an entity’s hitbox to improve performance when its size never changes. If the entity has passengers, they are also baked, and the base entity’s hitbox is expanded to include the full bounding box of the entire stack.
- Inputs:
Execution
as <entities>: entities whose hitbox should be baked- Outputs:
State: the entity’s hitbox is saved as a baked hitbox for later use
Warning
Only use baked hitboxes when you are sure the entity’s size will not change, such as when it cannot grow, scale, gain passengers, or equip items that affect its size.
If the hitbox changes after baking, it may lead to incorrect collisions or broken logic.
What is a bounding box?
A bounding box is a simple rectangular box that surrounds an object, or part of it, to help the game figure out where it is and what it touches. For example, a set of stairs in Minecraft uses two bounding boxes: one for the lower step and one for the upper step.
What is a baked hitbox?
Baking captures a snapshot of the entity’s hitbox at a specific moment. It does not update after that. If the entity has passengers, the baked result includes a bounding box that encapsulates both the base entity and all passengers.
See Hitbox types for full details on block and entity hitboxes.
Credits: Aksiome
Get block#
- #bs.hitbox:get_block_shape
Get the
defaultshape of a block, represented by a list of box coordinates. This shape defines the area where the player can target or interact with the block. Coordinates range from0to16within a block space, as in block models.- Inputs:
Execution
at <entity>orpositioned <x> <y> <z>: position from which to get the block hitbox- Outputs:
Storage
bs:out hitbox:block hitbox
shape: list of cube coordinates (
[[min_x, min_y, min_z, max_x, max_y, max_z]])offset: hitbox offset (used by flowers, for example)
x: number describing the X coordinate offset
z: number describing the Z coordinate offset
Example: get the shape of an open fence gate (can be targeted, even though you can walk through it)
setblock 0 0 0 minecraft:oak_fence_gate[open=true]
execute positioned 0 0 0 run function #bs.hitbox:get_block_shape
data get storage bs:out hitbox
- #bs.hitbox:get_block_collision
Get the
collisionshape of a block, represented by a list of box coordinates. This shape defines the solid boundaries of the block that entities cannot pass through. Coordinates range from0to16within a block space, as in block models.- Inputs:
Execution
at <entity>orpositioned <x> <y> <z>: position from which to get the block hitbox- Outputs:
Storage
bs:out hitbox:block hitbox
shape: list of cube coordinates (
[[min_x, min_y, min_z, max_x, max_y, max_z]])offset: hitbox offset (used by flowers, for example)
x: number describing the X coordinate offset
z: number describing the Z coordinate offset
Example: get the collision of an open fence gate (no collision, entities can pass through)
setblock 0 0 0 minecraft:oak_fence_gate[open=true]
execute positioned 0 0 0 run function #bs.hitbox:get_block_collision
data get storage bs:out hitbox
Credits: Aksiome
Get entity#
- #bs.hitbox:get_entity
Get the width and height of an entity.
- Inputs:
Execution
as <entities>: entity to get the hitbox from- Outputs:
Storage
bs:out hitbox:entity hitbox
width: width of the entity (X axis)
height: height of the entity (Y axis)
depth: depth of the entity (Z axis)
scale: scaling of the hitbox
Note
For most entities without a custom hitbox, depth is equal to width.
However, some entities like paintings and item frames return more complex dimensions.
Example: get the hitbox of an armor stand
execute summon minecraft:armor_stand run function #bs.hitbox:get_entity
data get storage bs:out hitbox
Credits: Aksiome
Is entity inside#
- #bs.hitbox:is_entity_in_blocks_shape
Check if the specified entity is within the
defaultshape of any block.- Inputs:
Execution
as <entity>: entity to check- Outputs:
Return: success or failure
Note
Since an entity’s bounding box can extend across multiple blocks, this function checks all blocks the entity might be in contact with.
Example: check if a summoned cow is inside a block
# Move to the edge of a block, then run
execute summon minecraft:cow if function #bs.hitbox:is_entity_in_blocks_shape run say I'm in the fence
# Since the cow is bigger than the player, you should get a success
- #bs.hitbox:is_entity_in_blocks_collision
Check if the specified entity is within the
collisionshape of any block.- Inputs:
Execution
as <entity>: entity to check- Outputs:
Return: success or failure
Note
Since an entity’s bounding box can extend across multiple blocks, this function checks all blocks the entity might be in contact with.
Example: check if a summoned cow is inside a block
# Move to the edge of a block, then run
execute summon minecraft:cow if function #bs.hitbox:is_entity_in_blocks_collision run say I'm in the fence
# Since the cow is bigger than the player, you should get a success
- #bs.hitbox:is_entity_in_block_shape
Check if the specified entity is within the
defaultshape of the block at the execution position.- Inputs:
Execution
as <entity>: entity to checkExecution
at <entity>orpositioned <x> <y> <z>: position to check- Outputs:
Return: success or failure
Note
This function checks whether the entity’s bounding box intersects with the block at the execution position. It does not consider other blocks the entity might be touching.
Example: check if a summoned cow is inside the fence at your position
setblock ~ ~ ~ minecraft:oak_fence
# Move to the edge of the fence, then run
execute summon minecraft:cow if function #bs.hitbox:is_entity_in_block_shape run say I'm in the fence
# Since the cow is bigger than the player, you should see the message
- #bs.hitbox:is_entity_in_block_collision
Check if the specified entity is within the
collisionshape of the block at the execution position.- Inputs:
Execution
as <entity>: entity to checkExecution
at <entity>orpositioned <x> <y> <z>: position to check- Outputs:
Return: success or failure
Note
This function checks whether the entity’s bounding box intersects with the block at the execution position. It does not consider other blocks the entity might be touching.
Example: check if a summoned cow is inside the fence at your position
setblock ~ ~ ~ minecraft:oak_fence
# Move to the edge of the fence, then run
execute summon minecraft:cow if function #bs.hitbox:is_entity_in_block_collision run say I'm in the fence
# Since the cow is bigger than the player, you should see the message
Credits: Aksiome
Is inside#
- #bs.hitbox:is_in_block_shape
Check if the execution position is within the
defaultshape of a block.- Inputs:
Execution
at <entity>orpositioned <x> <y> <z>: position to check- Outputs:
Return: success or failure
Example: say “My name is Pavel” if you are inside a block
execute if function #bs.hitbox:is_in_block_shape run say My name is Pavel
- #bs.hitbox:is_in_block_collision
Check if the execution position is within the
collisionshape of a block.- Inputs:
Execution
at <entity>orpositioned <x> <y> <z>: position to check- Outputs:
Return: success or failure
Example: say “My name is Pavel” if you are inside a block
execute if function #bs.hitbox:is_in_block_collision run say My name is Pavel
- #bs.hitbox:is_in_entity
Check if the execution position is within the entity executing the command.
- Inputs:
Execution
as <entities>: entity to checkExecution
at <entity>orpositioned <x> <y> <z>: position to check- Outputs:
Return: success or failure
Example: check if you are inside an entity
execute summon minecraft:cow if function #bs.hitbox:is_in_entity run say Oh no...
Credits: Aksiome
Reset entity#
- #bs.hitbox:reset_entity
Reset an entity’s hitbox to its dynamic form, removing any previously applied baked or custom hitbox.
- Inputs:
Execution
as <entities>: entities whose hitbox should be reset- Outputs:
State: the entity’s hitbox is now dynamic again and will automatically update with scaling, growth, or other changes
Credits: Aksiome
Set entity#
- #bs.hitbox:set_entity {with:{}}
Define a custom hitbox for an entity with full control over its dimensions. This allows setting a hitbox not constrained by Minecraft’s built-in width/height system and can be used on entities that normally have no hitbox.
- Inputs:
Execution
as <entities>: entities whose hitbox should be set to custom dimensionsFunction macro:
arguments
with:
width: total horizontal size along the X axis
height: total vertical size along the Y axis
depth: total size along the Z axis. Defaults to the same value as width if not provided
centered: whether the hitbox should be vertically centered on the Y axis. Defaults to
false, meaning the hitbox starts at the entity’s feet (like in vanilla)
- Outputs:
State: the entity now has a custom axis-aligned bounding box (AABB) hitbox
Warning
Custom hitboxes come with a slight performance cost. Use them when you need precise control over shape and position, but avoid using too many of them in the same area.
What is a bounding box?
A bounding box is a simple rectangular box that surrounds an object, or part of it, to help the game figure out where it is and what it touches. For example, a set of stairs in Minecraft uses two bounding boxes: one for the lower step and one for the upper step.
What is a custom hitbox?
A custom hitbox lets you override Minecraft’s default hitbox system and define your own shape using width, height, and depth. Unlike dynamic or baked hitboxes, custom hitboxes:
Can have independent width, height, and depth
Are not tied to Minecraft’s internal collision model
Work on entities without a native hitbox, such as display entities
See Hitbox types for full details on block and entity hitboxes.
Credits: Aksiome
🎓 Hitbox types#
Bookshelf provides multiple hitbox types, each suited to different use cases. Understanding the differences helps you choose the right one.
Blocks#
The default shape defines the area where players can interact with or break the block:
Specifies the zone where right-clicks, mining, or other interactions register
Can differ from the collision shape, for example, fence gates keep the same default shape whether open or closed
➔ Returned by #bs.hitbox:get_block_shape
The collision shape defines the physical boundaries of a block that entities cannot pass through. It determines where an entity will stop when moving towards the block:
Matches the block’s solid parts and prevents entities from moving through
Can change dynamically depending on block state (e.g., a fence gate’s collision shape differs when open vs closed)
➔ Returned by #bs.hitbox:get_block_collision
Entities#
The native Minecraft hitbox, which updates automatically:
Adjusts in real time with entity changes like scaling, baby growth, equipment, or new passengers
No setup required, this is the default
Use when the entity’s shape is expected to change
➔ Restored using #bs.hitbox:reset_entity
A snapshot of the entity’s hitbox at a specific moment:
Improves performance when the entity’s size will never change
Includes the base entity and all passengers in one combined box. When baking a pile of passengers, the base entity bakes all passengers and sets its hitbox to encompass the entire stack
Does not update dynamically, collisions may break if the entity changes later
➔ Set using #bs.hitbox:bake_entity
A fully user-defined hitbox:
Set exact
width,height, and optionaldepthWorks on entities with no native hitbox (e.g. display entities)
Independent from Minecraft’s internal hitbox system
Only applies to the base entity. When used with modules that process entity stacks, only the base entity’s hitbox is considered, passengers are ignored
Slight performance cost, avoid using too many of them in the same area
➔ Set using #bs.hitbox:set_entity
🔌 Hitbox providers#
A hitbox provider is a callback that returns a block’s shape for consumers such as bs.raycast or bs.move.
A provider can return one of two forms:
A single flag (e.g.,
return 1), telling the consumer to treat the block as a full 16×16×16 cube.An array of bounding boxes, stored in
bs:lambda hitbox:{shape:[[min_x, min_y, min_z, max_x, max_y, max_z, flag], ...]}
Each bounding box uses coordinates from 0 to 16, and may include a flag (defaults to
1if omitted).
What is a bounding box?
A bounding box is a simple rectangular box that surrounds an object, or part of it, to help the game figure out where it is and what it touches. For example, a set of stairs in Minecraft uses two bounding boxes: one for the lower step and one for the upper step.
Flags
Flags do not have inherent meaning. They are numeric labels used by providers and consumers to classify bounding boxes.
You may use any of the following flags: 1, 2, 4, or 8.
For example, the Bookshelf built-in providers use 1 for solid and 2 for fluids.
Available providers#
All built-in providers have a fluid variant, where 1 represents the solid part and 2 represents the fluid part.
These providers return the block’s default shape as defined in Blocks.
#bs.hitbox:callback/get_block_shape#bs.hitbox:callback/get_block_shape_with_fluid
These providers return the block’s collision shape as defined in Blocks.
#bs.hitbox:callback/get_block_collision#bs.hitbox:callback/get_block_collision_with_fluid
Returns the block’s default shape and adds a placement-only bounding box (flag 4) to replicate vanilla block-placement behavior for blocks such as cauldrons, composters, hoppers, and scaffolding.
#bs.hitbox:callback/get_block_placement#bs.hitbox:callback/get_block_placement_with_fluid
Custom providers#
A common pattern for custom providers is either to directly return a custom shape or to:
Copy a built-in shape
Modify it
Return it
Example: defining a custom shape with a custom flag
# Custom shape for <my_custom_block>. You can add multiple bounding boxes, each with its own flag, if your block has a complex shape
execute if block ~ ~ ~ <my_custom_block> run return run data modify storage bs:lambda hitbox set value {shape:[[2,2,2,14,14,14,<flag>]]}
# If the block is a full cube, return 1
execute if block ~ ~ ~ #bs.hitbox:is_full_cube run return 1
# Get the shape (step 1)
function #bs.hitbox:get_block_shape
# Copy and return the shape (step 3)
data modify storage bs:lambda hitbox set from storage bs:out hitbox
💬 Did it help you?
Feel free to leave your questions and feedback below!