WoW Forever addon API: what addons can and can't do

Short answer: 🧩 Forever runs on the modern WoW addon API, not the Classic Era one. Blizzard says it shares Mainline WoW's UI code and "the vast majority of APIs available in 12.1.5", and Midnight's combat limits (including secrets) are switched on too (Blizzard, via Warcraft Wiki).

Question	Answer
🧩 Which API?	Modern Mainline (12.1.5 family)
🏷️ Game type	Camelot, also accepted as Forever
🔢 Interface (beta)	16001, game version 1.60.1
🔒 Combat limits	Midnight's rules, secrets included
✅ Addons allowed?	Yes, Forever versions only (which ones work)

🗺️ What "modern API" means for you

In a Q&A on 17 Sep, the team said "we did opt for the modern API approach" (as reported by WoW SoD Pro, non-Blizzard). Blizzard's own post describes Forever and modern WoW as two game types in one code family: Camelot for Forever (a working name due to change before launch) and Standard for Midnight (Blizzard, via Warcraft Wiki).

Official WoW Forever image: tavern interior with characters — Image © Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. Source: Blizzard News

You'll notice	Why
🚫 Classic Era addons don't load	Different API and TOC
🔁 Many retail addons port easily	Same code family
🎛️ Edit Mode, built-in meter, Cooldown Manager	Modern UI tools (UI guide)

🔒 What addons can't do

Blizzard's Midnight article explains the idea: addons shouldn't make combat decisions for you, but they can still change how information looks (Blizzard). Forever's beta notes then added these limits (Blizzard, via Warcraft Wiki):

Limit	Added	Effect
🤫 Secrets	15 Sep post	Some combat values are hidden from addon maths
🧭 Layer detection	Beta 5, 16 Oct	Creature, pet, vehicle and object GUIDs hide server and spawn IDs, so addons can't compare them to find your layer (layering)
✉️ Trial accounts	Beta 4, 8 Oct	Can't send addon messages
💬 Emotes	Beta 4, 8 Oct	Addon `/emote` messages outside instances need a key press or click, like SAY and YELL
🗺️ Minimap rotation	Beta 4, 8 Oct	Hidden during boss encounters
🪟 Frame strata	Beta 4, 8 Oct	New `FrameStrata` secret; `GetFrameStrata` can return a secret

Official WoW Forever image: character in house interior with book — Image © Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. Source: Blizzard News

Third-party testers also report these on early beta builds. ⏳ [Unconfirmed] for the launch client:

Report	Source
⚔️ Registering `COMBAT_LOG_EVENT_UNFILTERED` throws an error	wowwrapped notes
❤️ `UnitHealth` returns a secret, so maths on it errors (Grid2 broke)	WoW Forever Builds, build 69913
📍 `C_Map.GetPlayerMapPosition` returns nil inside instances	wowwrapped notes

Talent tree window — Official WoW Forever talent tree window (not an addon screenshot). Image © Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. Source: news.blizzard.com.

✅ What addons can still do

Blizzard says addons can keep restyling raid frames, nameplates, action bars, fonts and art, and can show combat information in their own way (Blizzard).

Type	Still fine?	Our guide
🧱 Full UI replacements	✅	ElvUI
💚 Raid frames	✅ (within the limits)	Raid frames
🎒 Bags and auction	✅	Bags and auction
📜 Quest helpers	✅	Questie
📊 Damage meters	✅ via allowed data	Damage meter
✨ Alerts and auras	✅ (within the limits)	WeakAuras

📜 Blizzard's add-on policy

Forever addons fall under Blizzard's long-standing UI Add-On Development Policy. We found no separate Forever policy when we checked on 30 Oct 2026.

Rule	Plain English
💸 No charge	No paid downloads, no premium tiers, no paid services tied to the addon
👀 Code visible	No hidden or obfuscated code
🖥️ No harm	Nothing that hurts realm performance or other players (like chat spam)
📢 No in-game ads or donation asks	Those belong on the addon's website
🛑 Blizzard can disable things	It can switch off any addon function

Official WoW Forever image: blue-lit cave screenshot — Image © Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. Source: Blizzard News

🛠️ For addon authors

Topic	Detail	Source
📄 TOC file	`MyAddon_Forever.toc` or `MyAddon_Camelot.toc`	Beta 4 notes
🎯 One TOC for all versions	`AllowLoadGameType` with the `forever` game type; other clients don't know it yet	Warcraft Wiki
🔢 Interface	`## Interface: 16001` (beta)	wowwrapped notes
🆔 Project constant	`WOW_PROJECT_CAMELOT` (18), added in build 70170	Warcraft Wiki
🔄 Renamed Lua	`require` is now `import`	Beta 4 notes
🧰 Item and spell info	Old globals like `GetItemInfo` gone; use `C_Item`, `C_Spell`, `C_Traits`	WoW Forever Builds ⏳
🖼️ Reskinned frames	Player, target, pet, focus, totem frames and minimap header changed in Beta 5; re-check anchors	Beta 5 notes
⚔️ War Mode	`C_PvP.IsWarModeFeatureEnabled` returns false	Beta 4 notes

Fixed since early beta: SavedVariables and the RestrictedEnvironment (used by secure snippets and click-cast tools) failed to load on the first builds. Warcraft Wiki's changelog lists both as fixed in build 70009 on 23 Sep (Warcraft Wiki). ⏳ [Unconfirmed] The launch interface number and whether the Camelot name changes before launch.

Official WoW Forever image: three characters posing — Image © Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. Source: Blizzard News

Legacy Points panel in game — Official WoW Forever UI screenshot of the Legacy Points panel (not an addon screenshot). Image © Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. Source: worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com.

Addon broken after an update? See addon troubleshooting.

FAQ

Which API? 🧩 Modern Mainline, not Classic Era.

Addons supported? ✅ Yes, with Forever versions.

What's blocked? 🔒 Combat automation, secret values, layer detection.

Combat log? ⚔️ Not readable the old way (third-party beta test).

TOC suffix? 📄 _Forever or _Camelot.

What addon API does WoW Forever use?

The modern one. Blizzard says Forever shares Mainline WoW's UI code and most of the 12.1.5 APIs, so it is not the Classic Era API.

Are addons supported in WoW Forever?

Yes. Addons are allowed, but they need a version made for Forever and must follow Blizzard's add-on policy.

What can't addons do in WoW Forever?

Midnight's combat limits apply: addons can't make combat decisions for you, some combat values are hidden as secrets, and beta changes also stopped addons detecting your layer.

Official WoW Forever image: dusk grassland screenshot — Image © Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. Source: Blizzard News

Can addons read the combat log in WoW Forever?

Not as before. A third-party test found registering the old combat log event errors on the beta. Use the built-in damage meter or a Forever-updated meter.

What TOC suffix does a WoW Forever addon use?

_Forever or _Camelot. Blizzard's 8 Oct beta notes made Forever an alias for Camelot in TOC file names.

Sources

Blizzard (via Warcraft Wiki): An Update On Secrets In WoW: Forever, and Forever 1.60.1 Beta Changes 4 and 5
Warcraft Wiki: Patch 1.60.1 API changes (build changelog, TOC game type)
Blizzard: How Midnight's upcoming game changes will impact combat addons
Blizzard: UI Add-On Development Policy
WoW SoD Pro: WoW Forever Q&A recap, 17 Sep (non-Blizzard)
WoW Forever Builds: what the beta breaks for addons (non-Blizzard, build 69913)
realworldbuilder/wowwrapped: Forever addon API notes (non-Blizzard)