Derivative Shaders is client-side only. It does not modify packets or give gameplay advantages. Most anarchy and survival servers allow it. However, some competitive mini-game servers (e.g., Hypixel BedWars) may restrict shaders for performance reasons—check their rules.
Yes, but only with Iris + Fabric. OptiFine on Apple Silicon has known driver issues. The “All Versions” pack includes a Metal-compatible path for macOS. File name- Derivative-Shaders-All-Versions.zip
archive structure is designed for "drag-and-drop" functionality within the Minecraft environment. Placement: The file should be moved into the .minecraft/shaderpacks/ directory. Configuration: The "All Versions" package often includes a Derivative Shaders is client-side only