👉 This page lists all the commands available in GnollHack, organized by theme.
GnollHack supports playing with a physical keyboard on all platforms, including modern mobile and desktop clients. Keyboard shortcuts on this wiki are written in lowercase notation: a single letter (e.g. e) represents a normal key, and modifier combinations are written with a plus sign (e.g. Shift+e, Alt+e, Ctrl+e, Alt+Shift+e).
🧭 Movement and Exploration
Use the following commands to navigate the dungeon, climb stairs, rest, and search.
| Command | Hotkey | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Go Down | > |
Go down a staircase or ladder to the next level. | |
| Go Up | < |
Go up a staircase or ladder to the previous level. | |
| Wait | . |
Rest or wait for one turn (does nothing). | Pass time or let monsters approach. |
| Travel | _ |
Automatically travel to a selected map tile. | Uses a pathfinding algorithm to navigate. |
| Search | s |
Search adjacent tiles for hidden secret doors and traps. | Success depends on perception and luck. |
| Go Mode (Rush) | g |
Move in a direction, stopping at interesting features. | Stops when seeing a monster, door, trap, etc. |
| Move Mode (Rush) | m |
Move in a direction without picking up items on the ground. | |
| Go Mode (Run) | Shift+g |
Run in a direction until blocked or interrupted. | Stops at walls, monsters, or interesting objects. |
| Move Mode (Run) | Shift+m |
Run in a direction without picking up items on the ground. | |
| Jump | j |
Jump to a nearby tile. | Alternate hotkey: Alt+j. Requires jumping ability. |
| Untrap | u |
Attempt to disarm a trap, untrap a container/door, or rescue a trapped monster. | Alternate hotkey: Alt+u. |
| Ride | Alt+Shift+r |
Mount or dismount a saddled steed. | |
| Sit | Ctrl+s |
Sit down on the floor, a throne, or another seat. | Sitting on a throne can trigger magical effects. |
🧭 Directional Controls
You can move in the eight cardinal and diagonal directions using several different layout controls.
🧭 Arrow Keys
On keyboards without a number pad, you can combine the arrow keys with Ctrl or Alt to move diagonally:
| Key | Cardinal | Ctrl + Key | Diagonal | Alt + Key | Diagonal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ↑ | North (↑) |
Ctrl + ↑ | Northwest (↖) |
Alt + ↑ | Northeast (↗) |
| ↓ | South (↓) |
Ctrl + ↓ | Southwest (↙) |
Alt + ↓ | Southeast (↘) |
| ← | West (←) |
Ctrl + ← | Northwest (↖) |
Alt + ← | Southwest (↙) |
| → | East (→) |
Ctrl + → | Northeast (↗) |
Alt + → | Southeast (↘) |
🧭 Number Pad
If your keyboard has a number pad, enable Num Lock and use the keys as follows:
- 7, 8, 9 for Northwest, North, Northeast.
- 4, 6 for West, East.
- 1, 2, 3 for Southwest, South, Southeast.
- 5 in the center enables run/rush mode.
🧭 Regular Number Keys
On compact keyboards without a number pad, the regular number keys can be used for direction:
- 7, 8, 9 for Northwest, North, Northeast.
- 4, 6 for West, East.
- 1, 2, 3 for Southwest, South, Southeast.
- 5 in the center enables run/rush mode.
⚔️ Combat and Attacks
These commands are used for attacking, shooting, throwing, and managing your active weapons.
| Command | Hotkey | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wield Weapon | w |
Wield a weapon or tool as your primary weapon. | Use - to wield bare hands. |
| Fire | f |
Shoot or throw ammunition currently loaded in your quiver. | |
| Throw | t |
Throw an object or weapon from your inventory in a specified direction. | |
| Swap Weapons | x |
Swap your primary wielded weapon with your secondary/alternate weapon. | |
| Quiver | Shift+q |
Select ammunition (arrows, daggers, etc.) to load into your quiver for firing. | |
| Kick | k |
Kick an adjacent door, chest, monster, or other object. | Alternate hotkey: Ctrl+d. |
| Fight | Shift+f |
Attack/fight in a specified direction, even if you do not see a monster. | Forces attack on a tile (useful for invisible foes). |
| Dual Weapon Mode | Ctrl+x |
Toggle dual-wielding mode (two-weapon combat) on or off. | |
| Apply Polearm | Alt+Shift+p |
Strike a monster from a distance of two tiles using a wielded polearm or lance. | The polearm can also be a swap weapon. |
| Wield Previous | Alt+Shift+w |
Wield the weapon you previously had wielded. | Useful after using a tool. |
| Handedness | Alt+h |
Toggle weapon swapping mode. | Switch between swapping weapons in right hand only or in both hands. |
🎒 Inventory and Item Management
Use these commands to view, organize, select, and inspect items in your inventory or on the ground.
| Command | Hotkey | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inventory | i |
Display all items currently carried in your inventory. | |
| Pick Up | , |
Pick up items from the floor at your current position. | |
| Drop | d |
Drop an item onto the floor. | |
| Pick Up and Stash | ; |
Pick up items and automatically insert them into the best container in your inventory. | |
| Examine | Alt+x |
Examine an item to view its detailed statistics and properties. | |
| Near Look | : |
Look at the ground/items present at your current tile. | |
| Drop Multiple | Shift+d |
Drop multiple items from your inventory at once. | |
| Filtered Inventory | Shift+i |
Display a filtered list of inventory items. | e.g. unpaid items, specific item classes. |
| Adjust Letters | Alt+a |
Adjust inventory letters for items. |
🚪 Containers and Door Interaction
Commands for interacting with doors, chests, and bags.
| Command | Hotkey | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Door | o |
Open an adjacent closed door. | |
| Close Door | c |
Close an adjacent open door. | |
| Loot | l |
Loot a container on the floor, saddle/unsaddle a steed, or retrieve items from decorations (such as torch holders). | Alternate hotkey: Alt+l. |
| Take Out of Bag | b |
Take one or more items out of a container in your inventory. | |
| Put Into Bag | Shift+b |
Put one or more items into a container in your inventory. | |
| Yank (Take Loot) | y |
Take one or more items out of a container that is lying on the floor. | |
| Yank (Put Loot) | Shift+y |
Put one or more items into a container that is lying on the floor. | |
| Tip (Empty) | Alt+Shift+t |
Tip/empty a container to dump all of its contents onto the floor. | |
| Force Lock | Alt+f |
Force a lock on a chest or door using a weapon or tool. | |
| Break | Ctrl+b |
Break an item in your inventory to release its magic or contents. | e.g. breaking a wand or potion. |
🛠️ Consumables and General Tools
These commands are used to eat, drink, apply utility tools, and manage light sources.
| Command | Hotkey | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apply Tool | a |
Apply (use) a tool, such as a key, lamp, or pick-axe. | |
| Eat | e |
Eat food or another edible item in your inventory or on the floor. | |
| Drink (Quaff) | q |
Drink a potion, water, or other beverage from your inventory or the floor. | |
| Light / Snuff | Ctrl+l |
Light or snuff out a nearby light source, like a lamp or candle. | |
| Dig | Ctrl+g |
Dig the ground or a wall. | Requires a pick-axe or other digging tool. |
| Engrave | Shift+e |
Write a message on the floor using a tool or your fingers (dust). | |
| Engrave Quick | Alt+Shift+e |
Quickly engrave on the floor using a predefined style or finger. | |
| Wipe Face | Alt+e |
Wipe off dirt, grease, slime, or other substances from your face. | |
| Rub | Alt+r |
Rub a lamp or other object. | Can summon a genie if successful. |
| Dip | Alt+d |
Dip an object into a potion, fountain, sink, or a pool of water. | |
| Apply Pick-axe Quick | Alt+Shift+x |
Quickly apply a pick-axe, mattock, or other cutting tool to dig/cut in a direction. |
🔮 Magic and Spellcasting
Commands to cast spells, use wands, read scrolls, and mix components.
| Command | Hotkey | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cast Spell | Shift+z |
Cast a spell that you have learned. | |
| Spell Menu | + |
Open the spell menu to view or cast spells. | Alternate hotkey: Alt+z. |
| Zap Wand | z |
Zap a magic wand in a specified direction. | |
| Read | r |
Read a scroll, spellbook, or engraving. | |
| Invoke | Alt+i |
Invoke the powers of a magical object or artifact. | |
| Mix Spells | Shift+x |
Mix material components (reagents) for a spell. |
👕 Equipment and Wearables
Commands to view, wear, and remove armor and accessories.
| Command | Hotkey | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment | * |
Show a list of all your equipped items. | Combines armor, weapons, rings, amulets, and tools. |
| Wear Armor | Shift+w |
Put on a piece of armor (helmet, body armor, gloves, boots, etc.). | |
| Take Off Armor | Shift+t |
Take off a single piece of armor you are currently wearing. | |
| Wear Many | Alt+w |
Put on multiple pieces of armor. | |
| Take Off Many | Alt+t |
Take off multiple pieces of armor at once. | |
| Put On Accessory | Shift+p |
Put on an accessory such as a ring, amulet, or pair of glasses. | |
| Remove Accessory | Shift+r |
Remove an accessory (ring, amulet, etc.) that you are currently wearing. | |
| Show Worn Armor | [ |
Display all pieces of armor you are currently wearing. | |
| Show Worn Rings | = |
Display the rings you are currently wearing. | |
| Show Worn Amulet | " |
Display details of the amulet you are currently wearing. | |
| Show Weapon | ) |
Display the weapon you are currently wielding. | |
| List Tools | ( |
Display a list of tools you are currently using. |
📖 Information and UI Controls
These commands open information screens, name entities, and control the user interface.
| Command | Hotkey | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Character Details | } |
Display detailed information, statistics, and attributes of your character. | |
| Abilities | Shift+a |
View your character's active and passive abilities. | Opens the status screen. |
| Look | Shift+l |
Examine your surroundings or a specific tile on the map. | |
| Far Look | / |
Look at a distant tile on the map to identify what symbol represents. | |
| Chat | Shift+c |
Chat with an adjacent monster, pet, or NPC. | |
| Yell for Pets | Alt+y |
Yell to summon your pet to your side. | Alternate hotkey: Ctrl+y. |
| Dungeon Overview | Ctrl+o |
Show the dungeon overview screen listing visited levels and features. | |
| Annotate Level | Ctrl+n |
Add a text annotation/note to the current dungeon level. | Alternate hotkey: Alt+Shift+a. |
| Name | Shift+n |
Name a specific monster, individual item, or category of items. | |
| Name Category | Alt+Shift+n |
Assign a name to a specific monster or category of objects. | |
| Call | Ctrl+c |
Assign a name/call name to a monster, an object, or an object class. | |
| Previous Message | Ctrl+p |
Recall and display the previous message(s). | |
| Redraw Screen | Ctrl+r |
Redraw the entire screen. | |
| Use Monster Ability | Alt+Shift+m |
Use a special ability of your current monster form (if polymorphed). | |
| Help | h |
Display the help menu with game information and commands. | Alternate hotkey: ?. |
🔍 Zoom and View Controls
You can adjust the map zoom level using the following keyboard shortcuts:
| Command | Hotkey | Alternate Hotkey |
|---|---|---|
| Zoom In | Ctrl++ |
Alt++ |
| Zoom Out | Ctrl+- |
Alt+- |
| Reset Zoom | Ctrl+0 |
Alt+0 |
| Toggle Minimap Mode | Ctrl+. |
Alt+. |
⚙️ Game Control and System Meta Commands
Commands that manage the game state, save progress, or display settings.
| Command | Hotkey | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Save | Alt+s |
Save the game and exit. | Saves progress securely and returns to the main menu. |
| Commands Menu | Alt+c |
Open the commands menu. | Extremely useful for touchscreen and keyboard-less players. |
| Repeat | Ctrl+a |
Redo/repeat the previous command. | |
| Number of Actions1 | n |
Specify a repetition count before entering a command. | Alternate hotkey: Alt+n. |
| Pray | Alt+p |
Pray to your deity for help, healing, or safety. | See the Praying guide for details. |
| Offer Sacrifice | Alt+o |
Offer an item or corpse as a sacrifice on an altar to your deity. | |
| Extended Command | # |
Prompt for and execute an extended command (e.g. #pray, #sit, #chat). |
|
| Options | Shift+o |
View and modify game options. | See the Options page. |
| Pay Bill | p |
Pay your shopping bill to the shopkeeper. | |
| Vanquished Creatures | Alt+k |
Show the list of monsters you have killed during the game. | |
| Genocided Monsters | Alt+g |
Show a list of all genocided monster species. | |
| Version Info | v |
Display the version number and build details of the game. | |
| Game History Info | Shift+v |
Display the game's compilation options and version history. | |
| GnollHack Library Info | Alt+v |
Display details about the compiled GnollHack libraries and build. | |
| Quit | Alt+q |
Quit the game (deletes your character and ends the current game session). |
-
1 Number of actions works like this: press
n, then write the number of actions in numerals, and then choose the action. For example,n20ssearches 20 times.
🧙♂️ Wizard Mode Commands
These commands are only available when playing in Wizard mode (developer debug mode).
| Command | Hotkey | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Wish | Ctrl+w |
Make a wish for any item. |
| Reveal Map | Ctrl+f |
Reveal the entire map of the current level. |
| Detect | Ctrl+e |
Detect hidden features on the map. |
| Identify | Ctrl+i |
Identify all items in your inventory. |
| Level Teleport | Ctrl+v |
Teleport to a different level of the dungeon. |
| Genesis | Alt+m |
Create a monster. |