40d:Controls

This document contains a list of the default controls for Dwarf Fortress as of version v0.27.169.32a. Controls may be configured manually through the use of the Esc menu or by editing the file interface.txt, but this is not recommended for novice players.

Controls are usually listed on the bottom of the window or next to the respective option when you have opened a menu.

Arrows are shown on the edges of the screen if more options are available beyond the screen. Use the Interface keys to scroll through the list of options.

For purposes of the game, note that any key designated in uppercase means to hold Shift while tapping that key. For instance, V means to press Shift+v.

Interface

• + - Next option / Increase quantity
• - - Previous option / Decrease quantity
• * - Next page
• / - Previous page
• ↑ - Next option
• ↓ - Previous option
• ← - Next column
• → - Previous column
• PgUp - Next page/screen
• PgDn - Previous page/screen

When it is possible to scroll the map while a menu is open, the arrow keys cannot be used to select menu options; instead, the +, -, *, and / keys are repurposed to allow selection from menus.

• ? - Help
• ; - Movies
• ;l - Load a Moving Record

  TODO

• Tab - Change mode
• Esc - Options

• Space - Cancel
• Enter - Select

World

Move cursor / scroll map:

Home Northwest	↑ North	PgUp Northeast
← West		→ East
End Southwest	↓ South	PgDn Southeast

Or, with the numeric keypad:

7 Northwest	8 North	9 Northeast
4 West		6 East
1 Southwest	2 South	3 Southeast

Hold Shift while pressing the above keys to move the cursor very rapidly. Note that some users may experience "stuck keys" and other glitches unless Num Lock is off.

• > - Up a level (Z-Axis)
• < - Down a level (Z-Axis)

Fortress

• a - View Announcements
• b - Site a Building
• c - View Civilizations
• d - Designations
• D - Depot Access (appears when depot is built)
• [e]
• [f]
• [g]
• h - Hot Keys
• i - Zones
• [j]
• k - Look Around
• [l]
• m - Military
• n - Nobles and Administrators
• o - Set Orders and Options
• p - Stockpiles
• q - Set Building Tasks/Prefs
• r - View Rooms/Buildings
• [s]
• t - View Items in Buildings
• [u]
• v - View Units
• V - Visualize (3D view)
  • + - Zoom / pan in
  • - - Zoom / pan out
  • * - Rotate 45° clockwise
  • / - Rotate 45° counterclockwise
• [w]
• x - Squads
• [y]
• z - Status
• Space - Pause/Resume
• Tab - Move Menu/Map
• . - Advance time by one-step (while paused)

Building List

• a - Armor Stand
• A - Archery Target
• b - Bed
• B - Vertical Bars
• Alt+b - Floor Bars
• c - Seat
• C - Wall/Floor/Stairs ("Rewall")
• Cd - Down Stair
• Cf - Floor
• CF - Fortification
• Cr - Ramp Up
• Cu - Up Stair
• Cw - Wall
• Cx - Up/Down Stair
• d - Door
• D - Trade Depot
• e - Furnaces
• ea - Magma Glass Furnace
• eg - Glass Furnace
• ek - Kiln
• el - Magma Smelter
• en - Magma Kiln
• es - Smelter
• ew - Wood Furnace
• f - Cabinet (personal object storage)
• g - Bridge
• G - Floor Grate
• h - Container (personal valuables storage)
• H - Wall Grate
• i - Siege Engines
• ib - Ballista
• ic - Catapult
• j - Cage
• k - Kennels
• l - Well
• m - Animal Trap
• M - Machine Components
• Mg - Gear Assembly
• Mh - Horizontal Axle
• Mm - Windmill
• Ms - Screw Pump
• Mv - Vertical Axle
• Mw - Water Wheel
• n - Burial Receptacle
• o - Paved Road
• O - Dirt Road
• p - Farm Plot
• [q]
• r - Weapon Rack
• s - Statue
• S - Support
• t - Table
• T - Traps/Levers
• Tc - Cage Trap
• Tl - Lever
• Tp - Pressure Plate
• Ts - Stone-Fall Trap
• TS - Upright Spear/Spike
• Tw - Weapon Trap
• [u]
• v - Restraint
• w - Workshops
• wa - Alchemist's Laboratory
• wb - Bowyer's Workshop
• wc - Carpenter's Workshop
• wd - Dyer's Shop
• we - Leather Works
• wf - Metalsmith's Forge
• [w][g]
• wh - Fishery
• [w][i]
• wj - Jeweler's Workshop
• wk - Clothier's Shop
• wl - Still
• wm - Mason's Workshop
• wM - Millstone
• wn - Tanner's Shop
• wo - Loom
• [w][p]
• wq - Quern
• wr - Craftsdwarf's Workshop
• ws - Siege Workshop
• wt - Mechanic's Workshop
• wu - Butcher's Shop
• wv - Magma Forge
• ww - Farmer's Workshop
• [w][x]
• wy - Ashery
• wz - Kitchen
• W - Wall Grate
• x - Floodgate
• y - Glass Window
• Y - Gem Window
• [z]

Building Placement

• u - Increase height
• m - Decrease height
• k - Increase width
• h - Decrease width

Designation List

• a - Carve Fortifications
• [b]
• c - Reclaim Items/Buildings
• d - Mine
• [e]
• f - Forbid Items/Buildings
• [g]
• h - Channel
• i - Up/Down Stairway
• j - Downward Stairway
• [k]
• [l]
• [m]
• n - Remove Construction
• o - Set Traffic Areas
• p - Gather Plants
• [q]
• r - Upward Ramp
• s - Smooth Stone
• t - Chop Down Trees
• u - Upward Stairway
• v - Toggle Engravings
• [w]
• [x]
• [y]
• z - Remove Up Stairs/Ramps

Mouse

Some screens also support the mouse, allowing you to use the left button to select options:

Designations

Use the left button to select and place designations, right button to position cursor without designation.

Nobles and Administrators

Status > Stone

Music and Sound