diff --git a/api.lua b/api.lua
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0f9bbc1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/api.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+
+local has_default_mod = minetest.get_modpath("default")
+
+-- main crafting ingredient for the slat recipe
+local base_recipe_ingredient
+if has_default_mod then
+	base_recipe_ingredient = "default:paper"
+end
+
+function slats.register_slat(subname, recipeitem, groups, image, description, sounds)
+	groups.slab = 1
+
+	-- nodebox limits
+	local nb1 = 0.5
+	local nb2 = 0.49
+
+	minetest.register_node(":slats:slat_" .. subname, {
+		description = description,
+		drawtype = "nodebox",
+		tiles = {image},
+		inventory_image = image,
+		wield_image = image,
+		paramtype = "light",
+		paramtype2 = "wallmounted",
+		is_ground_content = false,
+		sunlight_propagates = true,
+		groups = groups,
+		sounds = sounds,
+		node_box = {
+			type = "wallmounted",
+				wall_top    = {-nb1, nb2, -nb1, nb1, nb2, nb1},
+				wall_bottom = {-nb1, -nb2, -nb1, nb1, -nb2, nb1},
+				wall_side   = {-nb2, -nb1, -nb1, -nb2, nb1, nb1},
+		},
+	})
+
+	if recipeitem then
+		if base_recipe_ingredient then
+			minetest.register_craft({
+				type = "shapeless",
+				output = 'slats:slat_' .. subname .. ' 12',
+				recipe = {recipeitem, base_recipe_ingredient},
+			})
+		end
+
+		-- Fuel
+		local baseburntime = minetest.get_craft_result({
+			method = "fuel",
+			width = 1,
+			items = {recipeitem}
+		}).time
+		if baseburntime > 0 then
+			minetest.register_craft({
+				type = "fuel",
+				recipe = 'slats:slat_' .. subname,
+				burntime = math.floor(baseburntime * 0.5),
+			})
+		end
+	end
+end
diff --git a/default.lua b/default.lua
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1d7c66e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/default.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,135 @@
+
+slats.register_slat(
+	"stone_block",
+	"default:stone_block",
+	{cracky = 2},
+	"default_stone_block.png^slats_slat_overlay.png^[makealpha:255,126,126",
+	"Stone Block Slat",
+	default.node_sound_stone_defaults()
+)
+
+slats.register_slat(
+	"desert_stone_block",
+	"default:desert_stone_block",
+	{cracky = 2},
+	"default_desert_stone_block.png^slats_slat_overlay.png^[makealpha:255,126,126",
+	"Desert Stone Block Slat",
+	default.node_sound_stone_defaults()
+)
+
+slats.register_slat(
+	"sandstone_block",
+	"default:sandstone_block",
+	{cracky = 2},
+	"default_sandstone_block.png^slats_slat_overlay.png^[makealpha:255,126,126",
+	"Sandstone Block Slat",
+	default.node_sound_stone_defaults()
+)
+
+slats.register_slat(
+	"desert_sandstone_block",
+	"default:desert_sandstone_block",
+	{cracky = 2},
+	"default_desert_sandstone_block.png^slats_slat_overlay.png^[makealpha:255,126,126",
+	"Desert Sandstone Block Slat",
+	default.node_sound_stone_defaults()
+)
+
+slats.register_slat(
+	"silver_sandstone_block",
+	"default:silver_sandstone_block",
+	{cracky = 2},
+	"default_silver_sandstone_block.png^slats_slat_overlay.png^[makealpha:255,126,126",
+	"Silver Sandstone Block Slat",
+	default.node_sound_stone_defaults()
+)
+
+slats.register_slat(
+	"obsidian_block",
+	"default:obsidian_block",
+	{cracky = 1, level = 2},
+	"default_obsidian_block.png^slats_slat_overlay.png^[makealpha:255,126,126",
+	"Obsidian Block Slat",
+	default.node_sound_stone_defaults()
+)
+
+slats.register_slat(
+	"steelblock",
+	"default:steelblock",
+	{cracky = 1, level = 2},
+	"default_steel_block.png^slats_slat_overlay.png^[makealpha:255,126,126",
+	"Steel Block Slat",
+	default.node_sound_metal_defaults()
+)
+
+slats.register_slat(
+	"copperblock",
+	"default:copperblock",
+	{cracky = 1, level = 2},
+	"default_copper_block.png^slats_slat_overlay.png^[makealpha:255,126,126",
+	"Copper Block Slat",
+	default.node_sound_metal_defaults()
+)
+
+slats.register_slat(
+	"bronzeblock",
+	"default:bronzeblock",
+	{cracky = 1, level = 2},
+	"default_bronze_block.png^slats_slat_overlay.png^[makealpha:255,126,126",
+	"Bronze Block Slat",
+	default.node_sound_metal_defaults()
+)
+
+slats.register_slat(
+	"goldblock",
+	"default:goldblock",
+	{cracky = 1},
+	"default_gold_block.png^slats_slat_overlay.png^[makealpha:255,126,126",
+	"Gold Block Slat",
+	default.node_sound_metal_defaults()
+)
+
+slats.register_slat(
+	"wood",
+	"default:wood",
+	{choppy = 2, oddly_breakable_by_hand = 2, flammable = 2},
+	"default_wood.png^slats_slat_overlay.png^[makealpha:255,126,126",
+	"Wooden Slat",
+	default.node_sound_wood_defaults()
+)
+
+slats.register_slat(
+	"junglewood",
+	"default:junglewood",
+	{choppy = 2, oddly_breakable_by_hand = 2, flammable = 2},
+	"default_junglewood.png^slats_slat_overlay.png^[makealpha:255,126,126",
+	"Jungle Wood Slat",
+	default.node_sound_wood_defaults()
+)
+
+slats.register_slat(
+	"pine_wood",
+	"default:pine_wood",
+	{choppy = 3, oddly_breakable_by_hand = 2, flammable = 3},
+	"default_pine_wood.png^slats_slat_overlay.png^[makealpha:255,126,126",
+	"Pine Wood Slat",
+	default.node_sound_wood_defaults()
+)
+
+slats.register_slat(
+	"acacia_wood",
+	"default:acacia_wood",
+	{choppy = 2, oddly_breakable_by_hand = 2, flammable = 2},
+	"default_acacia_wood.png^slats_slat_overlay.png^[makealpha:255,126,126",
+	"Acacia Wood Slat",
+	default.node_sound_wood_defaults()
+)
+
+slats.register_slat(
+	"aspen_wood",
+	"default:aspen_wood",
+	{choppy = 3, oddly_breakable_by_hand = 2, flammable = 3},
+	"default_aspen_wood.png^slats_slat_overlay.png^[makealpha:255,126,126",
+	"Aspen Wood Slat",
+	default.node_sound_wood_defaults()
+)
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/init.lua b/init.lua
index 2fe7019..a5ffd85 100644
--- a/init.lua
+++ b/init.lua
@@ -1,186 +1,9 @@
 slats = {}
 
-function slats.register_slat(subname, recipeitem, groups, image, description, sounds)
-	groups.slab = 1
+local MP = minetest.get_modpath("slats")
+dofile(MP .. "/api.lua")
 
-	-- nodebox limits
-	local nb1 = 0.5
-	local nb2 = 0.49
-
-	minetest.register_node(":slats:slat_" .. subname, {
-		description = description,
-		drawtype = "nodebox",
-		tiles = {image},
-		inventory_image = image,
-		wield_image = image,
-		paramtype = "light",
-		paramtype2 = "wallmounted",
-		is_ground_content = false,
-		sunlight_propagates = true,
-		groups = groups,
-		sounds = sounds,
-		node_box = {
-			type = "wallmounted",
-				wall_top    = {-nb1, nb2, -nb1, nb1, nb2, nb1},
-				wall_bottom = {-nb1, -nb2, -nb1, nb1, -nb2, nb1},
-				wall_side   = {-nb2, -nb1, -nb1, -nb2, nb1, nb1},
-		},
-	})
-
-	if recipeitem then
-		minetest.register_craft({
-			type = "shapeless",
-			output = 'slats:slat_' .. subname .. ' 12',
-			recipe = {recipeitem, "default:paper"},
-		})
-
-		-- Fuel
-		local baseburntime = minetest.get_craft_result({
-			method = "fuel",
-			width = 1,
-			items = {recipeitem}
-		}).time
-		if baseburntime > 0 then
-			minetest.register_craft({
-				type = "fuel",
-				recipe = 'slats:slat_' .. subname,
-				burntime = math.floor(baseburntime * 0.5),
-			})
-		end
-	end
-end
-
-slats.register_slat(
-	"stone_block",
-	"default:stone_block",
-	{cracky = 2},
-	"default_stone_block.png^slats_slat_overlay.png^[makealpha:255,126,126",
-	"Stone Block Slat",
-	default.node_sound_stone_defaults()
-)
-
-slats.register_slat(
-	"desert_stone_block",
-	"default:desert_stone_block",
-	{cracky = 2},
-	"default_desert_stone_block.png^slats_slat_overlay.png^[makealpha:255,126,126",
-	"Desert Stone Block Slat",
-	default.node_sound_stone_defaults()
-)
-
-slats.register_slat(
-	"sandstone_block",
-	"default:sandstone_block",
-	{cracky = 2},
-	"default_sandstone_block.png^slats_slat_overlay.png^[makealpha:255,126,126",
-	"Sandstone Block Slat",
-	default.node_sound_stone_defaults()
-)
-
-slats.register_slat(
-	"desert_sandstone_block",
-	"default:desert_sandstone_block",
-	{cracky = 2},
-	"default_desert_sandstone_block.png^slats_slat_overlay.png^[makealpha:255,126,126",
-	"Desert Sandstone Block Slat",
-	default.node_sound_stone_defaults()
-)
-
-slats.register_slat(
-	"silver_sandstone_block",
-	"default:silver_sandstone_block",
-	{cracky = 2},
-	"default_silver_sandstone_block.png^slats_slat_overlay.png^[makealpha:255,126,126",
-	"Silver Sandstone Block Slat",
-	default.node_sound_stone_defaults()
-)
-
-slats.register_slat(
-	"obsidian_block",
-	"default:obsidian_block",
-	{cracky = 1, level = 2},
-	"default_obsidian_block.png^slats_slat_overlay.png^[makealpha:255,126,126",
-	"Obsidian Block Slat",
-	default.node_sound_stone_defaults()
-)
-
-slats.register_slat(
-	"steelblock",
-	"default:steelblock",
-	{cracky = 1, level = 2},
-	"default_steel_block.png^slats_slat_overlay.png^[makealpha:255,126,126",
-	"Steel Block Slat",
-	default.node_sound_metal_defaults()
-)
-
-slats.register_slat(
-	"copperblock",
-	"default:copperblock",
-	{cracky = 1, level = 2},
-	"default_copper_block.png^slats_slat_overlay.png^[makealpha:255,126,126",
-	"Copper Block Slat",
-	default.node_sound_metal_defaults()
-)
-
-slats.register_slat(
-	"bronzeblock",
-	"default:bronzeblock",
-	{cracky = 1, level = 2},
-	"default_bronze_block.png^slats_slat_overlay.png^[makealpha:255,126,126",
-	"Bronze Block Slat",
-	default.node_sound_metal_defaults()
-)
-
-slats.register_slat(
-	"goldblock",
-	"default:goldblock",
-	{cracky = 1},
-	"default_gold_block.png^slats_slat_overlay.png^[makealpha:255,126,126",
-	"Gold Block Slat",
-	default.node_sound_metal_defaults()
-)
-
-slats.register_slat(
-	"wood",
-	"default:wood",
-	{choppy = 2, oddly_breakable_by_hand = 2, flammable = 2},
-	"default_wood.png^slats_slat_overlay.png^[makealpha:255,126,126",
-	"Wooden Slat",
-	default.node_sound_wood_defaults()
-)
-
-slats.register_slat(
-	"junglewood",
-	"default:junglewood",
-	{choppy = 2, oddly_breakable_by_hand = 2, flammable = 2},
-	"default_junglewood.png^slats_slat_overlay.png^[makealpha:255,126,126",
-	"Jungle Wood Slat",
-	default.node_sound_wood_defaults()
-)
-
-slats.register_slat(
-	"pine_wood",
-	"default:pine_wood",
-	{choppy = 3, oddly_breakable_by_hand = 2, flammable = 3},
-	"default_pine_wood.png^slats_slat_overlay.png^[makealpha:255,126,126",
-	"Pine Wood Slat",
-	default.node_sound_wood_defaults()
-)
-
-slats.register_slat(
-	"acacia_wood",
-	"default:acacia_wood",
-	{choppy = 2, oddly_breakable_by_hand = 2, flammable = 2},
-	"default_acacia_wood.png^slats_slat_overlay.png^[makealpha:255,126,126",
-	"Acacia Wood Slat",
-	default.node_sound_wood_defaults()
-)
-
-slats.register_slat(
-	"aspen_wood",
-	"default:aspen_wood",
-	{choppy = 3, oddly_breakable_by_hand = 2, flammable = 3},
-	"default_aspen_wood.png^slats_slat_overlay.png^[makealpha:255,126,126",
-	"Aspen Wood Slat",
-	default.node_sound_wood_defaults()
-)
\ No newline at end of file
+if minetest.get_modpath("default") then
+	-- register default slats
+	dofile(MP .. "/default.lua")
+end
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/mod.conf b/mod.conf
index 2e099ff..77cffaa 100644
--- a/mod.conf
+++ b/mod.conf
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 name = slats
 description = Adds decorative slats that have a lot of uses
-depends = default
\ No newline at end of file
+optional_depends = default
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/readme.md b/readme.md
index acdcf81..2950350 100644
--- a/readme.md
+++ b/readme.md
@@ -12,6 +12,24 @@ Adds decorative slats that have a lot of uses
 
 ![](./screenshot.png)
 
+# Api
+
+Modding api
+
+## slats.register_slat(subname, recipeitem, groups, image, description, sounds)
+
+Example: stone block registration from the `default` mod:
+```lua
+slats.register_slat(
+	"stone_block",
+	"default:stone_block", -- optional, can be nil
+	{cracky = 2}, -- optional, can be nil
+	"default_stone_block.png^slats_slat_overlay.png^[makealpha:255,126,126",
+	"Stone Block Slat", -- optional
+	default.node_sound_stone_defaults() -- optional
+)
+```
+
 # License
 
 * Code: `MIT`