👉 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).
⌨️ Commands Bound to Letters
⌨️ Normal Key Commands
| Key | Key Command | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | New in GnollHack. |
| 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. | New in GnollHack. |
| 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. | New in GnollHack. |
| 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,n20ssearches 20 times.
⌨️ Shift Key Commands
| Shift + Key | Shift + Key Command | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shift+a | Abilities (status screen) | View your character's active and passive abilities. | New in GnollHack. |
| Shift+b | Put items into Bag in inventory | Put one or more items into a container in your inventory. | New in GnollHack. |
| 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 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. | New in GnollHack. |
| Shift+y | Put loot into container on floor (Yank) | Put one or more items into a container that is lying on the floor. | New in GnollHack. |
| Shift+z | Cast spell | Cast a spell that you have learned. |
⌨️ Alt Key Commands
| Alt + Key | Alt + Key Command | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alt+a | Adjust | Adjust inventory letters for items. | |
| Alt+b | |||
| Alt+c | Commands menu | Open the commands menu. | New in GnollHack. |
| Alt+d | Dip | Dip an object into a potion, fountain, sink, or a pool of water. | |
| Alt+e | Wipe face | Wipe off dirt and 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). | New in GnollHack. |
| 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. | Alternate key. |
| 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). | Alternate key. |
| Alt+m | Genesis | Create a monster. | Wizard mode only. |
| Alt+n | Number of actions | Specify a repetition count before entering a command. | New in GnollHack. 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 (deletes your character and ends the current game session). | |
| Alt+r | Rub | Rub a lamp 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. | Alternate key. |
| Alt+v | GnollHack library info | Display details about the compiled GnollHack libraries and build. | |
| Alt+w | Wear many | Put on multiple pieces of armor. | New in GnollHack. |
| Alt+x | Examine | Examine an item to view its detailed statistics and properties. | New in GnollHack. |
| Alt+y | Yell for pets | Yell to summon your pet to your side. | New in GnollHack. |
| Alt+z | View spell | Open spell menu to view learned spells. | New in GnollHack. |
⌨️ Ctrl Key Commands
| Ctrl + Key | Ctrl + Key Command | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | New in GnollHack. |
| 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. | Alternate key. |
| Ctrl+e | Detect | Detect hidden features on the map. | Wizard mode only. |
| Ctrl+f | Reveal map | 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). | New in GnollHack. |
| Ctrl+h | |||
| Ctrl+i | Identify | 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. | New in GnollHack. |
| 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 | Teleport to a different level of the dungeon. | Wizard mode only. |
| Ctrl+w | Wish | 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. | New in GnollHack. Alternate key. |
| Ctrl+z |
⌨️ Double Modifier Commands Bound to Letters
| Alt + Shift + Key | Alt + Shift + Key Command | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alt+Shift+a | Annotate dungeon level | Add a text annotation/note to the current dungeon level. | Alternate key. |
| Alt+Shift+e | Engrave quick (use preset writing) | Quickly engrave on the floor using a predefined style or finger. | New in GnollHack. |
| 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. | New in GnollHack. |
| 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). | New in GnollHack. |
| 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. | New in GnollHack. |
- 1 The polearm can also be a swap weapon.
⌨️ Other Commands
| Key | Key Command | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| , | 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. | New in GnollHack. |
| . | 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. | Alternate key. |
| + | Spell menu | Open the spell menu to view or cast spells. | New in GnollHack. |
| ( | 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. | New in GnollHack. |
🧭 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 |