Commands

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Commands are given to NetHack by typing one or two characters; NetHack then asks questions to find out what it needs to know to do your bidding. You can put a number before most commands to repeat them that many times; for example, 10s will search ten times. If you have the number_pad option set, you must type n to prefix a count, so the example above would be typed n10s instead. Commands for which counts make no sense ignore them. In addition, movement commands can be prefixed for greater control. To cancel a count or a prefix, press the key.

For example, a common question, in the form "What do you want to use? [a-zA-Z ?*]", asks you to choose an object you are carrying. Here, "a-zA-Z" are the inventory letters of your possible choices. Typing ? gives you an inventory list of these items, so you can see what each letter refers to. In this example, there is also a '*' indicating that you may choose an object not on the list, if you wanted to use something unexpected. Typing a * lists your entire inventory, so you can see the inventory letters of every object you're carrying. Finally, if you change your mind and decide you don't want to do this command after all, you can press the key to abort the command.

The list of commands is rather long, but it can be read at any time during the game through the ? command, which accesses a menu of helpful texts.

Command Reference

Keystroke(s)	Function
	Help menu: display one of several help texts available. (Details)
	Tell what a symbol represents.
	Tell what a command does.
	Go up a Staircase to the previous Dungeon level (if you are on the stairs). Also works with Ladders.
	Go down a staircase to the next level (if you are on the stairs).
	Go one step in the appropriate direction, or attack in that direction. (Details)
	Go in that direction until you hit a Wall or run into something.
, then	Move without picking up any Objects.
, then	Move far, no pickup.
, then	Move until something interesting is found.
, then	Move until something interesting (besides forking of Corridors) is found.
or Space bar	Rest, do nothing for one turn.
	Apply (use) a Tool (Pick-axe, Key, Lamp…).
	Remove all Armor. Use (take off) to take off only one piece of Armor.
	Redo the previous command.
	Adjust Inventory letters (the fixinv option must be "on" to do this).
	Close a Door.
	Call (name) an individual Monster.
	Panic button. Quit the game.
	Talk to (chat with) someone.
	Drop something. d7a = Drop seven items of object a.
	Drop several things. (Details) Da = Drop all objects, without asking for confirmation; Du = Drop only unpaid objects (when in a Shop); D%u = Drop only unpaid Food.
	Kick something (usually a Door).
	Dip an Object into something.
	Eat Food.
	Engrave a message on the floor. (Details) E- = Write in the dust with your fingers.
	Force a Lock using currently wielded Weapon.
	List your Inventory (everything you're carrying).
(capital letter "eye")	List selected parts of your Inventory. I* = List all gems in inventory; Iu = List all unpaid items; Ix = List all used-up items that are on your shopping bill; I$ = Count your money.
	Invoke an object's special powers.
	Jump to another location. Available only if num_pad option is on.
	Jump to another location.
	Kick something (usually a door). Available only if num_pad option is on.
(lowercase letter "ell")	Loot a box on the floor. Available only if num_pad option is on.
	Loot a box on the floor.
	Use a monster's special ability.
	Name an item or type of object. Available only if num_pad option is on.
	Name an item or type of object.
	Open a door.
	Set Options. (Details)
	Offer a sacrifice to the gods.
	Pay your shopping bill.
	Put on a ring.
	Repeat previous message (subsequent Ctrl-P's repeat earlier messages).
	Pray to the gods for help.
	Quaff (drink) a potion.
	Quit the game.
	Read a scroll or spell book.
	Remove a ring.
	Redraw the screen.
	Rub a lamp.
	Search for secret doors and traps around you. It usually takes several tries.
	Save the game. The game will be restored automatically the next time you play.
	Sit down (on the floor, a throne, an altar, an egg, etc).
	Throw an object or shoot a projectile. (Details)
	Take off armor.
	Teleport, if you have the ability.
	Turn undead.
	Untrap a trapped object or door. Available only if num_pad option is on.
	Untrap something (usually a trapped object).
	Display version number.
	Display the game history.
	Print compile time options for this version of NetHack.
	Wield weapon. W- = Wield nothing, use your bare hands.
	Wear armor.
	Wipe off your face.
	List the spells you know (same as ).
	Enter explore (discovery) mode.
	Zap a wand.
	Zap (cast) a spell.
	Suspend the game (UNIX ® versions with job control only).
	Look at what is here.
	Pick up some things.
	Toggle the pickup option on and off.
	Ask for the type of a trap you found earlier.
	Tell what weapon you are wielding.
	Tell what armor you are wearing.
	Tell what rings you are wearing.
	Tell what amulet you are wearing.
	Tell what tools you are using.
	Count your gold pieces.
	List the spells you know (same as ).
	Show what types of objects have been discovered.
	Escape to a shell.

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