Using Small Portals for Compact Nether Highways and Bases

Why Size Matters

Small portals take up far less space than vanilla 2×3 frames. A 1×2 portal fits inside a single-block-wide corridor, and a 2×2 fits neatly into a two-block tunnel. This makes them ideal for Nether hub designs where every block of space counts.

Building a Compact Hub

1. Dig a straight tunnel at your chosen Y level.

2. At each branch point, carve a 1-wide, 2-tall alcove into the wall.

3. Line the alcove with obsidian using the 1×2 pattern (or skip corners for a cross shape).

4. Light each portal and label it with a sign.

Because the mod repositions you in front of the portal on arrival, you will not clip into the tunnel wall when stepping through.

Base Entrances

You can embed a small portal directly into a wall of your base. The frame only needs the interior opening plus the surrounding obsidian ring. Pair it with a trapdoor or iron door in front so mobs cannot wander in. Remember that the mod replaces netherrack, soul sand, or air below the arrival point with obsidian — so if you build the destination portal over a lava lake, the mod will still try to give you a safe footing, but you should clear surrounding hazards yourself before relying on it.