v0.34:Menu

xTATTEREDx · +FINE+ · *SUPERIOR* · ≡EXCEPTIONAL≡ · ☼MASTERWORK☼

v50.14 · v0.47 · v0.34.11 · v0.31 · v0.28 · v0.23

This article is about an older version of DF.

Dwarf Fortress is a complex game, and a complex game requires a complex user interface. The purpose of this page is to help players look up the meaning of user interface elements, and it functions like a basic reference of the functions; specific menu items are (mostly) discussed in more detail in their own pages.

If you find a menu where the words have been cut off due to the menu width, press the Tab key to cycle through menu display options.

Main menu[edit]

a: View Announcements - Displays recent announcements
b: Building - The Building Menu
r: Reports - Combat reports
c: View civilizations - Shows Civilizations that have been met
d: Designations - Designate Menu
o: Set Order - Orders Menu
k: Look Around
j: Job List - Jobs Screen
m: Military - Military Interface
s: Squads - Squads Menu
N: Points/Routes/Notes - Notes Menu
w: Define Burrows - Burrows Menu
p: Stockpiles - Stockpiles Menu
i: Zones - Place a Zone
q: Set Building Tasks/Prefs -
R: View Rooms/Buildings - View Rooms and Building List
t: View Items in Buildings
v: View Units
h: Hot Keys - Hot Keys Menu
n: Nobles and Administrators - Nobles Screen
z: Status - Status Screen
Tab: Move this menu/map - Moves the menu/map into another arrangement
?: Help - Help Screen
Esc: Options - Set Options
;: Movies
D: Depot Access - View whether your Trade depots can be reached by traders' wagons
Space: Resume
.: One-Step
u: Units List - View dwarves, pets, dead, and other animals

Building Menu[edit]

This menu lists objects/buildings that can be placed. Some require dwarves to have a specific hauling labor set, others require dwarves to have another labor set.

Armor Stand (a) - Place a built Armor stand (req. Furniture hauling)
Bed (b) - Place a built Bed (req. Furniture hauling)
Seat (c) - Place a built Throne (req. Furniture hauling)
Burial Receptacle (n) - Place a built Coffin (req. Furniture hauling)
Door (d) - Place a built Door (req. Furniture hauling)
Floodgate (x) - Place a built Floodgate (req. Furniture hauling)
Floor Hatch (H) - Place a built Floor hatch (req. Furniture hauling)
Wall Grate (W) - Place a built Wall grate (req. Furniture hauling)
Floor Grate (G) - Place a built Floor grate (req. Furniture hauling)
Vertical Bars (B) - Place Vertical bars (req. Furniture hauling)
Floor Bars (Alt+(b) - Place Floor bars (req. Furniture hauling)
Cabinet (f) - Place a built Cabinet (req. Furniture hauling)
Container (h) - Place a built Container (req. Furniture hauling)
Kennels (k) - Construct a Kennel (req. animal training, small animal dissection and/or trapping labor)
Farm Plot (p) - Place a Farm (req. Farming (fields) labor)
Weapon Rack (r) - Place a built Weapon rack (req. Furniture hauling)
Statue (s) - Place a built Statue (req. Furniture hauling)
Table (t) - Place a built Table (req. Furniture hauling)
Paved Road (o) - Build a Paved road (req. Architecture labor)
Dirt Road (O) - Build a Dirt road (req. Architecture labor)
Bridge (g) - Build a Bridge (req. Architecture labor)
Well (l) - Build a Well (req. Architecture labor)
Siege Engines (i)
- Ballista (b)
- Catapult (c)
Workshops (w) - Workshops Menu - Menu to build various Workshops
Furnaces (e) - Furnaces Menu - Menu to build various Furnaces
Glass Window (y) - Place a built Glass window (req. Furniture hauling)
Gem Window (Y) - Create a Gem window (with job)
Wall/Floor/Stairs (C)
- Wall (w) - Build a Wall (req. Masonry/Carpenter labor)
- Floor (f) - Build a Floor (req. Masonry/Carpenter labor)
- Ramp (r) - Build a Ramp (req. Masonry/Carpenter labor)
- Up Stair (u) - Build a Up stair (req. Masonry/Carpenter labor)
- Down Stair (d) - Build a Down stair (req. Masonry/Carpenter labor)
- Up/Down Stair (x) - Build a Up/Down Stair (req. Masonry/Carpenter labor)
- Fortification (F) - Build a Fortification (req. Masonry/Carpenter labor)
Trade Depot (D) - Construct a Trade depot
Traps/Levers (T)
- Stone-Fall Trap (s) - Build a Stone-fall trap (req. Mechanics labor)
- Weapon Trap (w) - Build a Weapon trap (req. Mechanics labor)
- Lever (l) - Build a Lever (req. Mechanics labor)
- Pressure Plate (p) - Build a Pressure plate (req. Mechanics labor)
- Cage Trap (c) - Build a Cage trap (req. Mechanics labor)
- Upright Spear/Spike (S) - Build a Upright Spear/Spike (req. Mechanics labor)
Machine Components (M)
- Screw Pump (s) - Build a Screw pump (req. Mechanics labor)
- Water Wheel (w) - Build a Water wheel (req. Mechanics labor)
- Windmill (m) - Build a Windmill (req. Mechanics labor)
- Gear Assembly (g) - Build a Gear assembly (req. Mechanics labor)
- Horizontal Axle (h) - Build a Horizontal axle (req. Mechanics labor)
- Vertical Axle (v) - Build a Vertical axle (req. Mechanics labor)
Support (S) - Construct a Support (req. Architecture labor)
Animal Trap (m) - Place an Animal trap (with hauling)
Restraint (v) - Place a Restraint (req. Furniture hauling)
Cage (j) - Place a built Cage (req. Furniture hauling)
Archery Target (A) - Build an Archery target (req. Architecture labor)
Traction Bench (R) - Place a Traction bench (req. Furniture hauling)

Workshops Menu[edit]

Leather works (e) - Build a Leather works (req. Leatherworking labor)
Quern (q) - Build a Quern (req. Milling labor)
Millstone (M) - Build a Millstone (req. Mechanics labor)
Loom (o) - Build a Loom (req. Weaving labor)
Clothier's Shop (k) - Build a Clothier's shop (req. Clothesmaking labor)
Bowyer's Workshop (b) - Build a Bowyer's workshop (req. Crossbow-making labor)
Carpenter's Workshop (c) - Build a Carpenter's workshop (req. Carpentry labor)
Metalsmith's Forge (f) - Build a Metalsmith's forge (req. Weaponsmithing/Armoring/Blacksmithing/Metalcrafting labor)
Magma Forge (v) - Build a Magma forge (req. Weaponsmithing/Armoring/Blacksmithing/Metalcrafting labor)
Jeweler's Workshop (j) - Build a Jeweler's workshop (req. Gem cutting or Gem setting labor)
Mason's Workshop (m) - Build a Mason's workshop (req. Masonry labor)
Butcher's Shop (u) - Build a Butcher's shop (req. Butchery labor)
Tanner's Shop (n) - Build a Tanner's shop (req. Tanning labor)
Craftsdwarf's Workshop (r) - Build a Craftsdwarf's workshop (req. Woodcrafting/Bone carving/Stonecrafting labor)
Siege Workshop (s) - Build a Siege workshop (req. Siege engineering labor)
Mechanic's Workshop (t) - Build a Mechanic's workshop (req. Mechanics labor)
Still (l) - Build a Still (req. Brewing labor)
Farmer's Workshop (w) - Build a Farmer's workshop (req. Plant processing/Milking/Cheese making labor)
Kitchen (z) - Build a Kitchen (req. Cooking labor)
Fishery (h) - Build a Fishery (req. Fishing/Fish cleaning labor)
Ashery (y) - Build an Ashery (req. Potash making or Lye making labor)
Dyer's Shop (d) - Build a Dyer's shop (req. Dyeing labor)
Soap Maker's Workshop (S) - Build a Soap maker's workshop (req. Soap making labor)

Furnaces Menu[edit]

Wood Furnce (w) - Build a Wood furnace (req. Architecture labor)
Smelter (s) - Build a Smelter (req. Architecture and Masonry labor)
Glass Furnace (g) - Build a Glass furnace (req. Architecture and Masonry/Metalsmithing labor)
Kiln (k) - Build a Kiln (req. Architecture and Masonry labor)
Magma Smelter (l) - Build a Magma smelter (req. Architecture and Masonry labor)
Magma Glass Furnace (a) - Build a Magma glass furnace (req. Architecture and Masonry/Metalsmithing labor)
Magma Kiln (n) - Build a Magma kiln (req. Architecture and Masonry labor)

Combat reports Screen[edit]

File:CombatReportsScreen2010.png

Hit r to enter the report screen then go through the listing until you find the desired victim.

Designations Menu[edit]

The Designations Menu (accessed by d provides the means to mark tiles with various designations including Mining, Wood Cutting, Plant Gathering, Stone Detailing as well as removing constructions, controlling traffic and other miscellaneous designations.

Jobs Screen[edit]

Squads Menu[edit]

This menu allows you to manage your squads

Notes Menu[edit]

Allows the placement of notes, also referred to as “points”. Required to create patrol routes, often used to label levers so you can remember what they are connected to.

p: Place - Places a note on the cursor
d: Delete - Deletes notes on the cursor
n: Name - Name/label the note placed at this point
t: Note text - Add additional information for the note
c: Change symbol selector - Change which part of the symbol is being modified with +- */, forecolor, backcolor, or symbol.
s: Adopt selected symbol - Makes all future notes use the selected options .
+- */ - Modify currently selected (using c) part of the symbol
r:Routes – #Routes Menu allows linking of Notes/points together to form routes for patrols.

Routes Menu[edit]

a: Add route - Create a new route.
e: Edit waypts - Edit points that make up the route.
- a: Add waypt - Add current point to route.
- d: Add waypt - Delete current point from route.
- p: Add waypt - Finish editing route.
d: Del route - Delete currently selected route.
n: Name route - Name current route
c: Center - Center on route.
+- */ - Select different routes
p: Back to points/notes - Return to Notes menu

Burrows Menu[edit]

This menu allows the creation and use of Burrows, which help to organize where dwarves are allowed to move/work

a: Add new burrow - Create a new burrow
d: Delete - Delete currently selected burrow
+- */: Change selection - Switch burrows
Enter: Define this burrow - Select areas that make up burrow, multiple areas can be created.
- c: Change symbol selector - Change which part of the symbol is being modified with +- */, forecolor, backcolor, or symbol.
- +- */ - Modify currently selected (using c) part of the symbol
c: Add citizens to burrow - Allows you to select which citizens are restricted to this burrow.
z: Center on burrow
Esc: Done

Stockpiles Menu[edit]

Creates stockpiles, dwarves will place items in the appropriate stockpile if they have the correct hauling labor.

a: Animal - Stores animals in cages/traps, empty cages/traps
f: Food - Stores food and food by-products (Meat/Fish/Plants/Drinks/Cheese/Seeds/Leaves/Milled plants/Fat/Blood/Lye/etc.)
u: Furniture Storage - Stores furniture and siege ammo
y: Graveyard - Stores dead dwarves
r: Refuse - Stores garbage/dead animals/bones/skulls/shells
s: Stone - Stores stone/ore
w: Wood - Stores wood
e: Gem - Stores rough/cut gems
b: Bar/Block - Stores bars (Metal/Coal/Potash/Ash/Pearlash/Soap), and Blocks (Stone/Glass)
h: Cloth - Stores cloth/thread
l: Leather - Stores leather
z: Ammo - Stores Bolts/Arrows/Blowdarts
n: Coins - Stores coins
g: Finished Goods - Stores finished goods (chains/crafts/clothing (not armor)/splints/crutches/more)
p: Weapons - Stores weapons/trap components
d: Armor - Stores armor
c: Custom Stockpile - Build custom stockpile (define with t)
t: Custom Settings - Define custom stockpile
/ *: Reserved Barrels - Set the number of barrels that will be reserved for workshop use (such as the Still).
-:+: Reserved Bins - Set the number of bins that will be reserved for workshop use.
x: Remove Designation - Remove stockpiles
Enter: Select - Place start/end corner of stockpile.

Hot Keys Menu[edit]

Allows the editing of hotkeys. Pressing a hotkey, F1-F8 or Shift F1-F8 zooms to that location.

F#: Select line F#
Shift+F#: Select line Shift+F#
n: Change Name - Name this hotkey
z: Zoom Here - Set screen to zoom the current location when selected hotkey is pressed.

Nobles Screen[edit]

In this screen various nobles can be assigned/removed. See the nobles article for details on nobles, their requirements/demands/mandates.

Enter: View Unit/Fill Vacancy - Assigns a unit to the position if it's empty, otherwise opens the View screen for that unit.
r: Replace - Replace the current position if possible, or place if empty.
s: Settings - Only available for the bookkeeper

Status Screen[edit]

Shows basic Fortress status.

A - Animals
B - Kitchen
C - Stone
D - Stocks
E - Health
F - Justice
G - Date - Day Month, Year, Early/Middle/Late Season - Trade caravans arrive late in the month. Elves/Humans/Dwarves : Spring/Summer/Autumn
H: Summary of your wealth, requires Broker with Appraisal skill to see - More wealth often leads to larger groups of immigrants, and sieges. The wealth of unground structures you can't see is listed here. “?” at the end of a value means you haven't had your bookkeep keep records precise enough to know the exact value yet.
I: How much wealth you have acquired through trade, or traded away (Import/Export)
J: How much food you have. Other contains prepared meals, as well as some inedible plants.
←→ - Move sub-menu
Enter - Select sub-menu

Animals Screen[edit]

This shows information about all tame animals at your fortress.

A: Animal type. Stray Animals can be toggled to become pets, Tame animals are not hostile to your dwarves.
B: Gender: Amulet is Female, Bag (circle with arrow) is male.
C: Who owns the animal. Animals marked unavailable can't be adopted. Animals marked “Ready for Slaughter will be slaughtered by a butcher at a butcher's shop. Cats are marked as Uninterested and can't be set as available, cats will adopt dwarves themselves.
↓↑ - Move between animals
Enter - Toggle pet availability (not possible on untamed or cats)
b - Slaughter

Kitchen Screen[edit]

This screen allows you to control what food is processed in which manner.

A: Type of food
B: Count for that food. “?” at the end of a value means you haven't had your bookkeep keep records precise enough to know the exact value yet.
C: Whether a food is available to be cooked if possible. Blue=Yes/Red=No
D: Whether a food is available to be brewed if possible. Blue=Yes/Red=No
↓↑ - Move between food items
c - Toggle cook.
b - Toggle brew.

Stone Screen[edit]

This screen lets you restrict usage of stone to specific tasks. All possible stones are listed here.

A: Type of Stone/ore/bar.
B: Various reactions that this item is a part of (these can be selected for more information)
Enter - Mark stone economic/non-economic

Stocks Screen[edit]

This screen lists every item in your fortress.

A: General item grouping
B: Count of each general type. The white number counts usable items, the red number (if any) counts items that cannot be used, including those which belong to others (such as a caravan) and those which have been forbidden. A “?” at the end of a value means you haven't had your bookkeeper maintain records precise enough to know the exact value yet.
C: individual kinds of items. Items of the same kind but different quality are grouped together unless Tab is pressed.
tab: Mode - Changes between listing single items, and grouping items of different quality but same type together.
z: Zoom - only available after pressing tab, zooms screen to selected item.
v: View - only available after pressing tab, views information on selected item.
m: Melt - Marks/unmarks item or group to be melted
f: Forbid - Marks/unmarks item or group to be forbidden
d: Dump - Marks/unmarks item or group to be dumped
h: Hide - Marks/unmarks item or group to be hidden

Health Screen[edit]

Main article: Health screen

Lists all types of Healthcare information about tamed animals and dwarves in your fortress. Only visible if you have appointed a Chief medical dwarf.

Justice Screen[edit]

Lists information about Justice at your fortress.

A - Any criminals currently wanted or being punished are listed here
B - Shows details about the currently selected criminal - crimes committed, punishment sentenced, and the officer currently assigned to carry out punishments.
C - This lists the number of cages and chains marked for jailing criminals.

Help Screen[edit]