Keyboard Shortcuts

👉 This page lists all the keyboard shortcuts available in GnollHack, which are especially useful when playing the game with a physical keyboard.

ℹ️ Note: Keyboard shortcuts on this wiki are written in lowercase notation. A single letter (e.g. e) represents the normal key. Combination shortcuts are written with a plus sign + and lowercase letters (e.g. Shift+e, Alt+e, Alt+Shift+e).

ℹ️ Note: Commands in italic are new commands in GnollHack that do not appear in NetHack.

⌨️ Commands Bound to Letters

⌨️ Normal Key Commands

Key	Key Command	Description
a	Apply	Apply (use) a tool, such as a key, lamp, or pick-axe.
b	Take items out of bag in inventory	Take one or more items out of a container in your inventory.
c	Close door	Close an adjacent open door.
d	Drop	Drop an item onto the floor.
e	Eat	Eat food or another edible item in your inventory or on the floor.
f	Fire	Shoot or throw ammunition currently loaded in your quiver.
g	Go mode — Rush	Move in a direction until you see a monster, a door, a trap, or another interesting feature.
h	Help	Display the help menu with game information and commands.
i	Inventory	Display all items currently carried in your inventory.
j	Jump	Jump to a nearby tile, if your character is capable of jumping.
k	Kick (when Vi-keys are disabled)	Kick an adjacent door, chest, monster, or other object.
l	Loot	Loot a container on the floor, saddle/unsaddle a steed, or retrieve items from decorations (such as torch holders).
m	Move mode — Rush	Move in a direction without picking up any items on the ground.
n	Number of actions1	Specify a repetition count before entering a command.
o	Open door	Open an adjacent closed door.
p	Pay bill	Pay your shopping bill to the shopkeeper.
q	Drink (quaff)	Drink a potion, water, or other beverage from your inventory or the floor.
r	Read	Read a scroll, spellbook, or engraving.
s	Search	Search adjacent tiles for hidden secret doors and traps.
t	Throw	Throw an object or weapon from your inventory in a specified direction.
u	Untrap	Attempt to disarm a trap, untrap a container or door, or help a monster out of a trap.
v	Version info	Display the version number and build details of the game.
w	Wield weapon	Wield a weapon or tool as your primary weapon (use - to wield bare hands).
x	Swap weapons	Swap your primary wielded weapon with your secondary/alternate weapon.
y	Take loot out of container on floor (yank)	Take one or more items out of a container that is lying on the floor.
z	Zap wand	Zap a magic wand in a specified direction.

• ¹ Number of actions works like this: You first press n, then write the number of actions in numerals, and then choose the action. For example, n20s searches 20 times.

⌨️ Shift Key Commands

Shift + Key	Shift + Key Command	Description
Shift+a	Abilities (status screen)	View your character's active and passive abilities.
Shift+b	Put items into Bag in inventory	Put one or more items into a container in your inventory.
Shift+c	Chat	Chat with an adjacent monster, pet, or NPC.
Shift+d	Drop multiple	Drop multiple items from your inventory at once.
Shift+e	Engrave	Write a message on the floor using a tool or your fingers (dust).
Shift+f	Fight	Attack/fight in a specified direction, even if you do not see a monster.
Shift+g	Go mode — Run	Run in a direction until you hit a wall or run into a monster or interesting object.
Shift+h
Shift+i	Inventory of specific types	Display a filtered list of inventory items (e.g., unpaid items, specific item classes).
Shift+j
Shift+k
Shift+l	Look	Examine your surroundings or a specific tile on the map.
Shift+m	Move mode — Run	Run in a direction without picking up any items on the floor.
Shift+n	Name	Name a specific monster, individual item, or category of items.
Shift+o	Options	View and modify game options.
Shift+p	Put on	Put on an accessory such as a ring, amulet, or pair of glasses.
Shift+q	Quiver	Select ammunition (arrows, daggers, etc.) to load into your quiver for firing.
Shift+r	Remove	Remove an accessory (ring, amulet, etc.) that you are currently wearing.
Shift+s	Skills	View and advance your character's weapon and magic skills.
Shift+t	Take off	Take off a single piece of armor you are currently wearing.
Shift+u
Shift+v	Game history info	Display the game's compilation options and version history.
Shift+w	Wear armor	Put on a piece of armor (helmet, body armor, gloves, boots, etc.).
Shift+x	Mix spells	Mix material components (reagents) for a spell.
Shift+y	Put loot into container on floor (Yank)	Put one or more items into a container that is lying on the floor.
Shift+z	Cast spell	Cast a spell that you have learned from a spellbook.

⌨️ Alt Key Commands

Alt + Key	Alt + Key Command	Description
Alt+a	Adjust	Adjust inventory letters for items.
Alt+b
Alt+c	Commands menu	Open the commands menu.
Alt+d	Dip	Dip an object into a potion or a pool of water/lava.
Alt+e	Wipe face	Wipe off mud, slime, or other substances from your face.
Alt+f	Force lock	Force a lock on a chest or door using a weapon or tool.
Alt+g	Genocided monsters	Show a list of all genocided monster species.
Alt+h	Handedness	Toggle weapon swapping mode (swap weapons in right hand only or in both hands).
Alt+i	Invoke	Invoke the powers of a magical object or artifact.
Alt+j	Jump	Jump to a nearby tile, if your character is capable of jumping.
Alt+k	Vanquished creatures	Show the list of monsters you have killed during the game.
Alt+l	Loot	Loot a container on the floor, saddle/unsaddle a steed, or retrieve items from decorations (such as torch holders).
Alt+m	Genesis (wizard mode only)	Create a monster (wizard mode only).
Alt+n	Number of actions (alternate)	Specify a repetition count before entering a command (alternate key).
Alt+o	Offer sacrifice	Offer an item or corpse as a sacrifice on an altar to your deity.
Alt+p	Pray	Pray to your deity for help, healing, or safety.
Alt+q	Quit	Quit the game (ends current game session).
Alt+r	Rub	Rub a lamp, touchstone, or other object.
Alt+s	Save	Save the game and exit.
Alt+t	Take off many	Take off multiple pieces of armor at once.
Alt+u	Untrap	Attempt to disarm a trap, untrap a container or door, or help a monster out of a trap.
Alt+v	GnollHack library info	Display details about the compiled GnollHack libraries and build.
Alt+w	Wear many	Put on multiple pieces of armor.
Alt+x	Examine	Examine an item to view its detailed statistics and properties.
Alt+y	Yell for pets	Yell to summon your pet to your side.
Alt+z	View spell	Open spell menu to view learned spells.

⌨️ Ctrl Key Commands

Ctrl + Key	Ctrl + Key Command	Description
Ctrl+a	Repeat	Redo/repeat the previous command.
Ctrl+b	Break	Break an item (like a wand or potion) in your inventory to release its magic or contents.
Ctrl+c	Call	Assign a name/call name to a monster, an object, or an object class.
Ctrl+d	Kick	Kick an adjacent door, chest, monster, or other object.
Ctrl+e	Detect (wizard mode only)	Detect hidden features on the map (wizard mode only).
Ctrl+f	Reveal map (wizard mode only)	Reveal the entire map of the current level (wizard mode only).
Ctrl+g	Dig	Dig the ground or a wall (requires a pick-axe or other digging tool).
Ctrl+h
Ctrl+i	Identify (wizard mode only)	Identify all items in your inventory (wizard mode only).
Ctrl+j
Ctrl+k
Ctrl+l	Light/Snuff out	Light or snuff out a nearby light source, like a lamp or candle.
Ctrl+m
Ctrl+n	Annotate dungeon level	Add a text annotation/note to the current dungeon level.
Ctrl+o	Dungeon overview	Show the dungeon overview screen listing visited levels and features.
Ctrl+p	Previous message	Recall and display the previous message(s).
Ctrl+q
Ctrl+r	Redraw screen	Redraw the entire screen.
Ctrl+s	Sit	Sit down on the floor, a throne, or another seat.
Ctrl+t	Teleport	Teleport to another location on the level, if capable.
Ctrl+u
Ctrl+v	Level teleport (wizard mode only)	Teleport to a different level of the dungeon (wizard mode only).
Ctrl+w	Wish (wizard mode only)	Make a wish for any item (wizard mode only).
Ctrl+x	Dual weapon mode	Toggle dual-wielding mode (two-weapon combat) on or off.
Ctrl+y	Yell for pets	Yell to summon your pet to your side.
Ctrl+z

⌨️ Double Modifier Commands Bound to Letters

Alt + Shift + Key	Alt + Shift + Key Command	Description
Alt+Shift+a	Annotate dungeon level	Add a text annotation/note to the current dungeon level.
Alt+Shift+e	Engrave quick (use preset writing)	Quickly engrave on the floor using a predefined style or finger.
Alt+Shift+m	Use monster ability	Use a special ability of your current monster form (if polymorphed).
Alt+Shift+n	Name a monster or object class	Assign a name to a specific monster or category of objects.
Alt+Shift+p	Apply Wielded Polearm1	Strike a monster from a distance of two tiles using a wielded polearm or lance.
Alt+Shift+r	Mount or dismount a saddled steed (Ride)	Mount or dismount a saddled steed (ride).
Alt+Shift+t	Empty a container (Tip)	Tip/empty a container to dump all of its contents onto the floor.
Alt+Shift+w	Wield a previously wielded weapon	Wield the weapon you previously had wielded (useful after using a tool).
Alt+Shift+x	Apply a pick-axe or cutting tool quick	Quickly apply a pick-axe, mattock, or other cutting tool to dig/cut in a direction.

• ¹ The polearm can also be a swap weapon.

⌨️ Other Commands

Key	Key Command	Description
,	Pick up	Pick up items from the floor at your current position.
;	Pick up and stash	Pick up items and automatically insert them into the best container in your inventory.
.	Wait	Rest/wait for one turn (does nothing).
:	Near look (at the ground)	Look at the ground/items present at your current tile.
_	Travel	Travel automatically to a selected position on the level using a shortest-path algorithm.
<	Go up	Go up a staircase or ladder to the previous level.
>	Go down	Go down a staircase or ladder to the next level.
/	Far look	Look at a distant tile on the map to identify what symbol represents.
*	Equipment (worn items)	Show a list of all your equipped items (combining armor, weapons, rings, amulets, and tools).
"	Show worn amulet	Display details of the amulet you are currently wearing.
#	Extended command	Prompt for and execute an extended command (e.g. #pray, #sit, #chat).
?	Help	Display the help menu.
+	Spell menu	Open the spell menu to view or cast spells.
(	List tools	Display a list of tools you are currently using.
)	Show weapon	Display the weapon you are currently wielding.
=	Show worn rings	Display the rings you are currently wearing.
[	Show worn armor	Display all pieces of armor you are currently wearing.
}	Character details (Describe your character)	Display detailed information, statistics, and attributes of your character.

🧭 Movement By Arrow Keys

Key	Direction	Ctrl + Key	Direction	Alt + Key	Direction
↑	↑	Ctrl + ↑	↖	Alt + ↑	↗
↓	↓	Ctrl + ↓	↙	Alt + ↓	↘
←	←	Ctrl + ←	↖	Alt + ←	↙
→	→	Ctrl + →	↗	Alt + →	↘

Please see the table below for how the keys map by direction:

Ctrl + ↑ Ctrl + ←	↑	Alt + ↑ Ctrl + →
←		→
Ctrl + ↓ Alt + ←	↓	Alt + ↓ Alt + →

🧭 Movement by Number Pad

While Num Lock is on, you can use the number pad for movement.

• 1–4, 6–9 for directions.
• 5 in the middle enables the run mode.

🧭 Movement by Regular Number Keys

The directions work also without a number pad with regular number keys:

7	8	9
4	5	6
1	2	3

5 in the middle enables the run mode.

🔍 Zoom and View Controls

You can adjust the map zoom level using the following keyboard shortcuts:

Key	Alternate Key	Command
Ctrl + +	Alt + +	Zoom in
Ctrl + -	Alt + -	Zoom out
Ctrl + 0	Alt + 0	Reset zoom to normal
Ctrl + .	Alt + .	Toggle zoom to fit screen (minimap mode)

⌨️ Vi-Keys

You can activate vi-keys in one of the following ways:

• In settings, enable Default Vi-Keys and ensure that number_pad is not set in options.
• In settings, keep Default Vi-Keys disabled and set number_pad:0 in options.

When you have vi-keys enabled, you can use the following keys for movement:

y	k	u
h		l
b	j	n

⌨️ Alternate Key Bindings When Vi-Keys Are Enabled

Normal Key	Command	Alternate Key
b	Take items out of bag in inventory	Alt+Shift+g
Shift+b	Put items into Bag in inventory	Alt+Shift+f
Ctrl+b	Break	Alt+Shift+b
j	Jump	Alt+j
k	Kick	Ctrl+d
l	Loot	Alt+l
Ctrl+l	Light/Snuff out	Alt+Shift+i
n	Number of actions	Automatic1
Shift+n	Name	Alt+Shift+n
u	Untrap	Alt+u
y	Take loot out of container on floor (yank)	Alt+Shift+d
Shift+y	Put loot into container on floor (Yank)	Alt+Shift+c

• ¹ When you press a number key, the game automatically assumes that it's the number of actions command.

⌨️ Legacy Keyboard Shortcuts

The following keyboard shortcuts are not supported by the modern GnollHack clients and are only available in the legacy Windows version GnollHack:

Key Shortcut	Command
Alt+b	Toggle hitpoint bars
Alt+Shift+y	Toggle buff timers