Keyboard Shortcuts

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).

⌨️ Commands Bound to Letters

⌨️ Normal Key Commands

Key Key Command
a Apply
b Take items out of bag in inventory
c Close door
d Drop
e Eat
f Fire
g Go mode — Rush
h Help
i Inventory
j Jump
k Kick (when Vi-keys are disabled)
l Loot
m Move mode — Rush
n Number of actions1
o Open door
p Pay bill
q Drink (quaff)
r Read
s Search
t Throw
u Untrap
v Version info
w Wield weapon
x Swap weapons
y Take loot out of container on floor (yank)
z Zap wand
  • Commands in italic are new commands in GnollHack that do not appear in NetHack.
  • 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
Shift+a Abilities (status screen)
Shift+b Put items into Bag in inventory
Shift+c Chat
Shift+d Drop multiple
Shift+e Engrave
Shift+f Fight
Shift+g Go mode — Run
Shift+h  
Shift+i Inventory of specific types
Shift+j  
Shift+k  
Shift+l Look
Shift+m Move mode — Run
Shift+n Name
Shift+o Options
Shift+p Put on
Shift+q Quiver
Shift+r Remove
Shift+s Skills
Shift+t Take off
Shift+u  
Shift+v Game history info
Shift+w Wear armor
Shift+x Mix spells
Shift+y Put loot into container on floor (Yank)
Shift+z Cast spell
  • Commands in italic are new commands in GnollHack that do not appear in NetHack.

⌨️ Alt Key Commands

Alt + Key Alt + Key Command
Alt+a Adjust
Alt+b  
Alt+c Commands menu
Alt+d Dip
Alt+e Wipe face
Alt+f Force lock
Alt+g Genocided monsters
Alt+h Handedness
Alt+i Invoke
Alt+j Jump
Alt+k Vanquished creatures
Alt+l Loot
Alt+m Genesis (wizard mode only)
Alt+n Number of actions (alternate)
Alt+o Offer sacrifice
Alt+p Pray
Alt+q Quit
Alt+r Rub
Alt+s Save
Alt+t Take off many
Alt+u Untrap
Alt+v GnollHack library info
Alt+w Wear many
Alt+x Examine
Alt+y Yell for pets
Alt+z View spell
  • Commands in italic are new commands in GnollHack that do not appear in NetHack.

⌨️ Ctrl Key Commands

Ctrl + Key Ctrl + Key Command
Ctrl+a Repeat
Ctrl+b Break
Ctrl+c Call
Ctrl+d Kick
Ctrl+e Detect (wizard mode only)
Ctrl+f Reveal map (wizard mode only)
Ctrl+g Dig
Ctrl+h  
Ctrl+i Identify (wizard mode only)
Ctrl+j  
Ctrl+k  
Ctrl+l Light/Snuff out
Ctrl+m  
Ctrl+n Annotate dungeon level
Ctrl+o Dungeon overview
Ctrl+p Previous message
Ctrl+q  
Ctrl+r Redraw screen
Ctrl+s Sit
Ctrl+t Teleport
Ctrl+u  
Ctrl+v Level teleport (wizard mode only)
Ctrl+w Wish (wizard mode only)
Ctrl+x Dual weapon mode
Ctrl+y Yell for pets
Ctrl+z  
  • Commands in italic are new commands in GnollHack that do not appear in NetHack.

⌨️ Double Modifier Commands Bound to Letters

Alt + Shift + Key Alt + Shift + Key Command
Alt+Shift+a Annotate dungeon level
Alt+Shift+e Engrave quick (use preset writing)
Alt+Shift+m Use monster ability
Alt+Shift+n Name a monster or object class
Alt+Shift+p Apply Wielded Polearm1
Alt+Shift+r Mount or dismount a saddled steed (Ride)
Alt+Shift+t Empty a container (Tip)
Alt+Shift+w Wield a previously wielded weapon
Alt+Shift+x Apply a pick-axe or cutting tool quick
  • Commands in italic are new commands in GnollHack that do not appear in NetHack.
  • 1 The polearm can also be a swap weapon.

⌨️ Other Commands

Key Key Command
, Pick up
; Pick up and stash
. Wait
: Near look (at the ground)
_ Travel
< Go up
> Go down
/ Far look
* Equipment (worn items)
" Show worn amulet
# Extended command
? Help
+ Spell menu
( List tools
) Show weapon
= Show worn rings
[ Show worn armor
} Character details (Describe your character)
  • Commands in italic are new commands in GnollHack that do not appear in NetHack.

🧭 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)
  • Commands in italic are new commands in GnollHack that do not appear in NetHack.

⌨️ 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
  • Commands in italic are new commands in GnollHack that do not appear in NetHack.
  • 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
  • Commands in italic are new commands in GnollHack that do not appear in NetHack.