The official NetHack Guidebook introduced the commands by listing them all in alphabetical order by key, which can be overwhelming. The plan for this page is to instead group the commands into functional groups.
On this page, [s] indicates the lowercase letter, while [S] indicates the uppercase letter. To type [S], you must hold [SHIFT] and press [s].
Here, [CTRL+X] means to hold [CTRL] and press [x] (or [X], it matters not). NetHack uses "^X" for [CTRL+X], so you might also see [^X] in this guide. Do not confuse it with [^], which is the caret (often [SHIFT+6]), not control key.
If you hold a key down, it repeats, like you were typing in a text editor. For example, press and hold [h] to move left as far as possible, or repeatedly attack the monster on your left.
The NetHack/Walkthrough introduces these keys more gradually.
Movement
[yuhjklbn]
The [hjkl] keys move your character to the adjacent square west, south, north, or east. The [yubn] keys move your character diagonally. If the specified square contains a monster, you attack that monster. Thus you will use these keys much, not only for moving around the dungeon but also for fighting monsters. (Unless you disabled the safe_pet option, you will not attack your own pet or a peaceful monster.)
If number_pad is on, you instead use [12346789]. On DOS, the arrow keys tend to work, but on Unix platforms the arrow keys tend to not function. However, NetHack is easier to play if you learn the [yuhjklbn] keys.
[o], [c] doors
You need to learn [o] and [c] to open and close doors. Closed doors appear on the map as plus signs + in doorways, while open doors appear as - or | (or shaded squares if you have DECgraphics). Just move yourself adjacent to a door, then press [o] or [c] followed by the direction of the door.
Only use [o] or [c] for doors.
Inventory
[i], [I] show inventory
Use [i] to show your inventory. This is one of the most important keys in the game, because you can use it to check the inventory letters of any of your items! If you want, you can use [I] to show a fraction of your inventory, for example a list of all your scrolls.
[,] pickup
Move your @ onto an item or pile of items, then press [,] to pick up the item. If there was more than one item, NetHack gives you a menu. You can then press [a], [b], to select + or deselect - each menu item. Dismiss the menu and pick up the selected items by pressing [SPACE]. All menus work in a similar manner.
[d], [D] drop
The inverse of [,], press [d] to drop an item. Then press the inventory letter. The [D] keys give you menus that let you drop multiple items simultaneously.
Using certain items
You do not need to learn these commands until you find certain items. These commands all work in the same way. Press a key such as [e], then press the inventory letter of the item. If you forgot the inventory letter, use [?] to check your inventory of the item type, or [*] if you want try something unusual (like eating your armor or throwing objects that are not weapons).
[e] food %
[W], [T] armor [
[w] weapons )
[t] weapons )
[z] wands /
When you find a wand, press [/] to activate the magical function of that wand.
[r] scrolls ? and spellbooks +
[q] potions !
[P], [R] rings = and amulets "
[a] tools (
To use various tools (pick-axes, lamps), press [a]. You can also use this to break wands; remember to use [z] instead if you want to zap a wand. NetHack will ask you for confirmation if you try to break a wand.
Information
[CTRL+X]
This sometimes forgotten feature lets you check your character's race, role, gender, and alignment, as well as the names of the Lawful, Neutral, and Chaotic gods. In explore mode, this also reveals some extra information.
[CTRL+P] previous messages
Advanced information
You could just check your inventory with [i], but if you want, then you can learn these shortcuts.
[$], [(], [)], [+], [[]
These keys match the symbols of items. [$] counts your gold $ (but you could just read the status line); [(] checks which tools ( you currently use, [)] checks which weapons ) you currently wield; [+] lists the spells from spellbooks + that you memorised, [[] checks which armor [ you currently wear.
[@], [*], [\]
These keys are less obvious; [@] toggles the autopickup option on or off and reminds you of which pickup_types are on; [*] combines several other keys to list which items you currently use; [\] lists some knowledge about items that you recognise.
Advanced movement
If you play NetHack frequently, you might want to learn these advanced controls.
[F], [M]
Press uppercase [F], then [yuhjklbn] to attack an adjacent square. Use this when you think that there is an invisible monster there. For the inverse, press [M] to try to move on to the square when you remember an invisible monster, but you guess that the monster has moved.
[YUHJKLBN]
If you hold [SHIFT] while pressing the direction keys, you continue to move in that direction as far as you can, until you stop at a doorway, pile of objects, stairwell, or other such dungeon feature, or become blocked by some obstacle such as a wall, closed door, or monster. Use SHIFT to move as rapidly as you can, without skipping over stairways. SHIFT is a shortcut against typing more keys; it does not make your character use less turns of game time. However, you might prefer to use [g], which lets you stop before doorways or hallway intersections; see the section after the next.
[CTRL+YUHJKLBN]
Holding [CTRL] while pressing any of [yuhjklbn] has the same affect as using [G]; see the next section.
[g], [G]
Press [g] or [G], then press one of [yuhjklbn] to go in that direction until you find interesting. The main difference between this and using SHIFT is that you will stop one square before a doorway, not on the doorway. Thus, you can use [g] to move to a door, then close it.
If you use lowercase [g], you will also stop at intersections amid corridors. Thus [g] is the best way to move rapidly without accidentally walking too far.
[CTRL+T]
This lets you teleport, but you have to first find a way to gain this ability.
[SPACE]
Normally, you use [SPACE] to dismiss menus or "--More--" prompts.
Otherwise, this does nothing except to say "Unknown command ' '". That is, unless you enabled the rest_on_space option, in which case your character will waste one turn of game time doing nothing. You probably do not want to enable rest_on_space, as holding the space bar would then give monsters enough time to attack you.
If you really need to advance game time while doing nothing, use (or hold) [s]. At least you have a small chance of discovering a nearby secret door or trap.
Advanced keys, other
[CTRL+Z]
On Unix platforms, this suspends NetHack and returns to the shell, just as you can suspend other programs.
[!]
On Unix platforms, this lets you escape to a shell. NetHack starts this shell as a subprocess, so exit the shell to return to NetHack.