Editing v0.34:Controls guide

{{quality|Fine|02:55 08 May 2012 (UTC)}}{{av}}
This is a beginner's guide to Fortress Mode interface [[controls]]. This page assumes the default [[key binding|key bindings]]. 

As a beginner it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the '''(View Unit - Preferences - Labor)''' submenu, the '''Query buildings''' menu, the '''Designate''' menu, and the '''Build''' menu.

==Viewing menus==
There are 5 menus for gaining more information about the map and the creatures that inhabit it. When used a yellow X-shaped cursor appears which you can move around the map using the numberpad to gain information.

===Look Around, k===
The loo{{k|k}} command shows you individual map tiles and what is standing/resting upon them. The menu displays [[Creatures]], Objects, [[Building|Buildings]], [[Map tile]]s in that order. You can use the {{k|+}} {{k|-}} keys to browse these things and press {{k|Enter}} to gain more detailed information.

You can also designate an item to be [[forbid|forbidden]], [[dump|dumped]], or [[melt|melted]] from this menu, if it is allowed (You can't designate a loaf of bread to be melted, for example!).


===View Units, v===
The {{key|v}}iew command gives detailed information on creatures: a [[dwarf]], an [[creature|animal]], a [[goblin]], etc. You do not need to place the cursor directly over the creature, information is given on the nearest creature. If multiple creatures are the same distance from the cursor (usually due to occupying the same tile), use {{key|v}} to cycle through them. 

This command has several different menu views:
* {{key|g}} General -  Name, occupation, and [[skill|skills]].
* {{key|i}} Inventory - Shows all the items the creature is carrying. Also shows the bloodstains, mud and goo that accumulates on creatures. 
* {{key|p}} Preferences - This menu includes two sub-menus: 
** {{key|l}} Labor - This lists which types of [[job|jobs]] the dwarf will accept. Very important for controlling their behavior.
** {{key|e}} Work Animals - Assign [[Animal training|trained]] animals to this dwarf.
* {{key|w}} [[Wound|Wounds]] - Shows the creature's health. Bright white means the body part is unharmed. Effects like "Thirsty" and "Unconscious" are also listed here. 
* {{key|z}} View Profile - Views a dwarf's profile. From here, you can view [[thought|thoughts]] and [[preference|preferences]], view his [[relationship]]s, and give him a custom nickname or profession title.


===Query Rooms/Buildings, q===
The {{k|q}}uery command allows you to {{k|s}}uspend construction of a room or object, mark it for {{k|r}}emoval, or interact with its specific functionality. 
*If you query a [[workshop]] you can change what tasks are being worked on, set a particular task to repeat or be suspended, or change who is allowed to use the workshop. 
*If you query a piece of [[furniture]] you can define a [[room]] from it (e.g. a [[bed]] into a [[bedroom]], a [[chair]] into an [[office]], etc). Depending on the type of furniture there are additional options (e.g. a [[door]] can be locked, a [[coffin]] can be used for either [[pet]] or citizen burial). 
*You can also assign a [[room]] to belong to a specific dwarf.
*If you query a [[farm plot]] you can change what crops are being planted.
*If you query a [[stockpile]] you can change what types of objects are stored there, how many [[barrel|barrels]] are used, etc.


===View items in buildings, t===
The i{{key|t}}ems command is used to see items that are inside buildings, such as [[workshop|workshops]], [[Trade depot|depots]], and [[trap|traps]].

===Squads, s===
{{k|s}} This command is used to control your military squads. The options are:
*{{k|k}} Attack - Selected squad will attack the selected enemies.
*{{k|m}} Move - Selected squad will station to a specific location you choose.
*{{k|o}} Cancel orders - Cancels a station or kill order.
*{{k|z}} Center on Squad - Zooms to the commander of the squad.
*{{k|s}} View Schedule - Brings up the military scheduling screen.
*{{k|t}} Sched - Toggles between all available schedules.
*{{k|p}} Select Individuals - Lets you issue orders to individual soldiers instead of the entire squad.



=Order your Dwarves=

These commands affect what your dwarves do. These also use the cursor. 

==Build, b==
Use this command to {{key|b}}uild rooms, place [[furniture]], start [[Farm plot|farm]] plots, and such. In addition to a long list of items which can be scrolled through with the {{k|+}}/{{k|-}} keys, there are also a few sub-menus:
*{{key|w}} '''[[Workshop|Workshops]]'''
*{{k|e}} '''[[Furnace|Furnaces]]'''
*{{key|C}} '''[[Construction]]'''
*{{key|T}} '''[[Trap|Traps]]'''
*{{key|M}} '''[[Machine component|Machine components]]'''

==Designate, d==
{{key|d}} Use this to mark stone to be [[mine|mined]] out, trees to be cut, [[plant|plants]] to be gathered, walls and floors to be smoothed or [[engraving|engraved]], and so on. You can also [[forbid]], [[dump]], [[melt]] or hide items and rooms.

==Stockpile, p==
{{key|p}} Used to create [[stockpile|stockpiles]]. 

==Zones, i==
{{key|i}} Mark an [[activity zone]] for drinking [[water]], [[fishing]], [[dump]], pen/pasture, pit/pond, [[sand]] collection, clay collection, [[meeting hall]], hospital, animal training. This interface is the reverse of designate and stockpile commands: you mark out the rectangular area first, and define what it does afterward.

=Fortress Information=

These commands take you away from the map, to an informational screen. Some of them also let you give orders. 
==Announcements, a==
{{key|a}} This screen logs the announcements that appear at the bottom of the screen. Use it to see any you missed, or scroll up the early history of your fortress. 

==Civilizations, c==
{{key|c}} A list of other civilizations that you have personally encountered (and thus within distance for [[trade]] or [[siege|war]]). Civilizations are marked with a ''P'' if you are at peace with them, or with a ''W'' if you are at war. Pressing {{key|Tab}} lets you check total exports and imports, and standing trade agreements.

==Unit List, u==
{{key|u}} A list of every creature on the map. Dwarves are listed first, then [[tame]] animals, then hostile creatures, then wild animals. Even dead creatures are listed here, so you can track your fallen dwarves. 
* {{key|c}} '''Zoom to Creature''' This takes you to [[#View_Units.2C_v|View Creature]] mode, with the cursor centered on the selected creature. 
* {{key|v}} '''View Profile''' 
* {{key|b}} '''Zoom to Building''' Takes you to the [[building]] associated with the the dwarf's current task. For hauling tasks, this is the destination [[stockpile]].
* {{key|m}} '''Manager''' Takes you to the [[Manager#Setting_up_work_orders|job manager]] screen.

==Military, m==
{{key|m}} Access the [[military]] screen
* {{key|p}} '''Positions''' Create and remove squads and assign dwarves to them.
* {{key|a}} '''Alerts''' Create configure alerts. Used in conjunction with burrows to define a '''CIV Alert''', a safe place that dwarves will be forced to go when turned on. Can also be used to change the active alert schedule for your squads.
* {{key|e}} '''Equip''' Assign armor and weapons to military squads.
* {{key|n}} '''Uniforms''' Create or modify uniform templates which can be assigned using the Equip screen.
* {{key|u}} '''Supplies''' Controls if a squad carries food and drink.
* {{key|f}} '''Ammunition''' Assigns ammunition to squads.
* {{key|s}} '''Schedule''' Used to modify the [[schedule|orders]] for an alert.

==Room List, R==
{{key|R}} Lists all [[Room|Rooms]], [[Building|Buildings]], [[Stockpile|Stockpiles]], and even [[Activity zone|Activity zones]] in the fortress. For rooms, it includes the room's quality and the owner's name. It includes quick access to each room's {{k|q}} and {{k|t}} menus.

==Artifacts, l==
{{key|l}} A list of the [[artifact|artifacts]] your fortress has produced. 

==Nobles & Administrators, n==
{{key|n}} Access the [[Nobles screen]]

==Fortress Overview, z==
{{key|z}} This screen is filled with useful information, like your fortress's net worth, and how much food and drink you have left. 
* '''Animals''' A list of all tame [[creature|animals]] in your fort.
* '''Kitchen''' From here you can specify what [[food|foods]] can be [[cook|cooked]] or [[brew|brewed]]. 
* '''Stone''' Controls the use of [[ore|ores]] and [[economic stone|economic stones]] 
* '''Stocks''' This is an in-depth listing of every item, down to every rotting rat corpse. The accuracy of the your item count depends on your [[bookkeeper]]. 
* '''Justice''' Shows the details of the dwarven [[justice]] system, once you have a [[Sheriff]].
* '''Health''' Shows an overview of the health status of the fortress, once you have a [[Chief medical dwarf]].
See [[Status]] for more details.

=Miscellaneous=

==Options & Orders, o==
{{key|o}} Access the [[Standing orders]]

==Hot keys, h==
{{key|h}} Define or redefine [[Hotkeys]]

{{Game Interface FAQ}}