Standard actions concerning the actor's possessionsTaking inventory
![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
, Taking
![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
, Removing it from
![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
, Dropping
![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
, Putting it on
![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
, Inserting it into
![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
, Eating
![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
Standard actions which move the actor
Going
, Entering
, Exiting
, Getting off ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
Standard actions concerning the actor's vision
Looking
, Examining
, Looking under
, Searching
, Consulting it about ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
Standard actions which change the state of things
Locking it with
, Unlocking it with
, Switching on
, Switching off
, Opening
, Closing
, Wearing
, Taking off ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
Standard actions concerning other people
Giving it to
, Showing it to
, Waking
, Throwing it at
, Attacking
, Kissing
, Answering it that
, Telling it about
, Asking it about
, Asking it for ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
Standard actions which are checked but then do nothing unless rules intervene
Waiting
, Touching
, Waving
, Pulling
, Pushing
, Turning
, Pushing it to
, Squeezing ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
Standard actions which always do nothing unless rules intervene
Saying yes
, Saying no
, Burning
, Waking up
, Thinking
, Smelling
, Listening to
, Tasting
, Cutting
, Jumping
, Tying it to
, Drinking
, Saying sorry
, Swinging
, Rubbing
, Setting it to
, Waving hands
, Buying
, Climbing
, Sleeping ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
Standard actions which happen out of world
Quitting the game
, Saving the game
, Restoring the game
, Restarting the game
, Verifying the story file
, Switching the story transcript on
, Switching the story transcript off
, Requesting the story file version
, Requesting the score
, Preferring abbreviated room descriptions
, Preferring unabbreviated room descriptions
, Preferring sometimes abbreviated room descriptions
, Switching score notification on
, Switching score notification off
, Requesting the pronoun meanings ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
Actions defined by the extension Basic Help Menu by Emily Short
Asking for help
![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
Actions defined by the extension Exit Lister by Gavin Lambert
Listing exits
, Turning exits on
, Turning exits off
![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
New actions defined in the source
Locomoting
![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
|
Commands —
Commands which the player can type About commands ![](inform:/doc_images/help.png)
|
"[direction]" -
Going"about"
- Asking for help
"abstract", a testing command not available in the final game"actions", a testing command not available in the final game"adjust",
same as "set"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"answer [text] to [someone]" -
Answering it that
(reversed)"ask [someone] for [something]" -
Asking it for ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"ask [someone] about [text]" -
Asking it about ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"attach",
same as "tie"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"attack [something]" -
Attacking ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"awake",
same as "wake"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"awaken",
same as "wake"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"break",
same as "attack"
"brief" - Preferring sometimes abbreviated room descriptions ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"burn [something]" -
Burning ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"buy [something]" -
Buying ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"carry",
same as "take"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"check",
same as "examine"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"chop",
same as "cut"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"clean",
same as "rub"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"clear",
same as "push"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"climb [something]" -
Climbing ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"climb up/over [something]" -
Climbing ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"close [something]" -
Closing ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"close up [something]" -
Closing ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"close off [something]" -
Switching off ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"consult [something] on/about [text]" -
Consulting it about ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"cover",
same as "close"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"crack",
same as "attack"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"cromch [something]"
![](inform:/doc_images/Reveal.png)
-
Eating ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"cronch [something]"
![](inform:/doc_images/Reveal.png)
-
Eating ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"cross",
same as "enter"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"cut [something]" -
Cutting ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"describe",
same as "examine"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"destroy",
same as "attack"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"discard",
same as "drop"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"display",
same as "show"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"disrobe",
same as "shed"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"doff",
same as "shed"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"don",
same as "wear"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"drag",
same as "pull"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"drink [something]" -
Drinking ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"drop [things preferably held]" -
Dropping ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"drop [something preferably held] at/against [something]" -
Throwing it at ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"drop [other things] in/into/down [something]" -
Inserting it into ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"drop [other things] on/onto [something]" -
Putting it on ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"dust",
same as "rub"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"eat [something preferably held]" -
Eating ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"embrace",
same as "kiss"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"enter" -
Entering ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"enter [something]" -
Entering ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"examine [something]" -
Examining ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"exit" -
Exiting ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"exits"
![](inform:/doc_images/Revealext.png)
-
Listing exits
"exits on"
- Turning exits on
"exits off"
- Turning exits off ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"fasten",
same as "tie"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"feed",
same as "give"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"feel",
same as "touch"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"fight",
same as "attack"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"get out/off/down/up" -
Exiting ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"get in/on" -
Entering ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"get [things]" -
Taking ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"get in/into/on/onto [something]" -
Entering ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"get off/down [something]" -
Getting off ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"get [things inside] from [something]" -
Removing it from ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"give [someone] [something preferably held]" -
Giving it to
(reversed)"give [something preferably held] to [someone]" -
Giving it to
"glklist", a testing command not available in the final game"go" -
Going ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"go [direction]" -
Going ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"go [something]" -
Entering ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"go to [any room]"
![](inform:/doc_images/Reveal.png)
-
Locomoting ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"go into/in/inside/through [something]" -
Entering
"gonear", a testing command not available in the final game"hear [something]" -
Listening to
"help"
- Asking for help
"hint"
- Asking for help
"hints"
- Asking for help ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"hit",
same as "attack"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"hold",
same as "take"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"hop",
same as "jump"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"hug",
same as "kiss"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"i",
same as "inventory"
"info"
- Asking for help ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"insert [other things] in/into [something]" -
Inserting it into ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"inv",
same as "inventory"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"inventory" -
Taking inventory ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"jump" -
Jumping ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"kill",
same as "attack"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"kiss [someone]" -
Kissing ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"l",
same as "look"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"leave",
same as "exit"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"light",
same as "burn"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"listen" -
Listening to ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"listen to [something]" -
Listening to ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"lock [something] with [something preferably held]" -
Locking it with
"long" - Preferring unabbreviated room descriptions ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"look" -
Looking ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"look [something]" -
Examining ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"look at [something]" -
Examining ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"look inside/in/into/through [something]" -
Searching ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"look under [something]" -
Looking under ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"look up [text] in [something]" -
Consulting it about
(reversed)"move",
same as "push"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"murder",
same as "attack"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"nap",
same as "sleep"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"no" -
Saying no
"normal" - Preferring sometimes abbreviated room descriptions
"notify" - Switching score notification on
"notify on" - Switching score notification on
"notify off" - Switching score notification off
"nouns" - Requesting the pronoun meanings ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"offer",
same as "give"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"open [something]" -
Opening ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"open [something] with [something preferably held]" -
Unlocking it with ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"out",
same as "exit"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"pay",
same as "give"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"pick up [things]" -
Taking ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"pick [things] up" -
Taking ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"polish",
same as "rub"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"present",
same as "show"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"press",
same as "push"
"pronouns" - Requesting the pronoun meanings ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"prune",
same as "cut"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"pull [something]" -
Pulling ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"punch",
same as "attack"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"purchase",
same as "buy"
"purloin", a testing command not available in the final game"push [something]" -
Pushing ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"push [something] [direction]" -
Pushing it to ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"push [something] to [direction]" -
Pushing it to ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"put on [something preferably held]" -
Wearing ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"put [something preferably held] on" -
Wearing ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"put down [things preferably held]" -
Dropping ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"put [things preferably held] down" -
Dropping ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"put [other things] in/inside/into [something]" -
Inserting it into ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"put [other things] on/onto [something]" -
Putting it on
"q" - Quitting the game
"quit" - Quitting the game
"random", a testing command not available in the final game"read [something]" -
Examining ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"read about [text] in [something]" -
Consulting it about
(reversed)"read [text] in [something]" -
Consulting it about
(reversed)"relations", a testing command not available in the final game"remove [something preferably held]" -
Taking off ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"remove [things inside] from [something]" -
Removing it from
"responses", a testing command not available in the final game"restart" - Restarting the game
"restore" - Restoring the game ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"rotate",
same as "turn"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"rub [something]" -
Rubbing
"rules", a testing command not available in the final game"run",
same as "go"
"save" - Saving the game ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"say",
same as "answer"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"scale",
same as "climb"
"scenes", a testing command not available in the final game"scope", a testing command not available in the final game"score" - Requesting the score ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"screw",
same as "turn"
"script" - Switching the story transcript on
"script on" - Switching the story transcript on
"script off" - Switching the story transcript off ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"scrub",
same as "rub"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"search [something]" -
Searching ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"set [something] to [text]" -
Setting it to ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"shed [something preferably held]" -
Taking off ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"shift",
same as "push"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"shine",
same as "rub"
"short" - Preferring abbreviated room descriptions ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"shout",
same as "answer"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"show [someone] [something preferably held]" -
Showing it to
(reversed)"show [something preferably held] to [someone]" -
Showing it to
"showheap", a testing command not available in the final game"showme", a testing command not available in the final game"showverb", a testing command not available in the final game"shut",
same as "close"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"sip",
same as "drink"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"sit on/in/inside [something]" -
Entering ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"sit on top of [something]" -
Entering ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"skip",
same as "jump"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"sleeb"
![](inform:/doc_images/Reveal.png)
-
Sleeping ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"sleep" -
Sleeping ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"slice",
same as "cut"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"smash",
same as "attack"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"smell" -
Smelling ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"smell [something]" -
Smelling ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"sniff",
same as "smell"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"sorry" -
Saying sorry ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"speak",
same as "answer"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"squash",
same as "squeeze"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"squeeze [something]" -
Squeezing ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"stand" -
Exiting ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"stand up" -
Exiting ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"stand on [something]" -
Entering
"superbrief" - Preferring abbreviated room descriptions ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"swallow",
same as "drink"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"sweep",
same as "rub"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"swing [something]" -
Swinging ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"swing on [something]" -
Swinging ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"switch [something switched on]" -
Switching off ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"switch [something]" -
Switching on ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"switch on [something]" -
Switching on ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"switch [something] on" -
Switching on ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"switch [something] off" -
Switching off ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"switch off [something]" -
Switching off ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"take inventory" -
Taking inventory ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"take [things]" -
Taking ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"take off [something]" -
Taking off ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"take [something] off" -
Taking off ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"take [things inside] from [something]" -
Removing it from ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"take [things inside] off [something]" -
Removing it from ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"taste [something]" -
Tasting ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"tell [someone] about [text]" -
Telling it about
"test", a testing command not available in the final game"think" -
Thinking ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"throw",
same as "drop"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"thump",
same as "attack"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"tie [something] to [something]" -
Tying it to ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"torture",
same as "attack"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"touch [something]" -
Touching
"trace", a testing command not available in the final game"transcript" - Switching the story transcript on
"transcript on" - Switching the story transcript on
"transcript off" - Switching the story transcript off
"tree", a testing command not available in the final game"turn [something]" -
Turning ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"turn [something] on" -
Switching on ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"turn on [something]" -
Switching on ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"turn [something] off" -
Switching off ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"turn off [something]" -
Switching off ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"twist",
same as "turn"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"uncover",
same as "open"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"unlock [something] with [something preferably held]" -
Unlocking it with ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"unscrew",
same as "turn"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"unwrap",
same as "open"
"verbose" - Preferring unabbreviated room descriptions
"verify" - Verifying the story file
"version" - Requesting the story file version ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"wait" -
Waiting ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"wake" -
Waking up ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"wake up" -
Waking up ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"wake [someone]" -
Waking ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"wake [someone] up" -
Waking ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"wake up [someone]" -
Waking ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"walk",
same as "go"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"watch",
same as "examine"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"wave" -
Waving hands ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"wave [something]" -
Waving ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"wear [something preferably held]" -
Wearing ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"wipe",
same as "rub"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"wreck",
same as "attack"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"x",
same as "examine"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"y",
same as "yes"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
"yes" -
Saying yes ![](inform:/doc_images/Beneath.png)
"z",
same as "wait"
![](inform:/doc_images/Below.png)
|
Tokens —
Those square-bracketed pieces inside Understand grammar About tokens ; New tokens ![](inform:/doc_images/help.png)
|
In addition to the tokens listed below, any description of an object or value can be used: for example, "[number]" matches text like 127 or SIX, and "[open door]" matches the name of any nearby door which is currently open.
Names of objects are normally understood only when they are within sight, but writing 'any' lifts this restriction. So "[any person]" allows every name of a person, wherever they happen to be.
"[anybody]"
- same as "[someone]"
"[anyone]"
- same as "[someone]"
"[anything]"
- same as "[thing]"
"[other things]" ![](inform:/doc_images/help.png)
"[somebody]"
- same as "[someone]"
"[someone]" ![](inform:/doc_images/help.png)
"[something]"
- same as "[thing]"
"[something preferably held]" ![](inform:/doc_images/help.png)
"[text]" ![](inform:/doc_images/help.png)
"[things]" ![](inform:/doc_images/help.png)
"[things inside]" ![](inform:/doc_images/help.png)
"[things preferably held]" ![](inform:/doc_images/help.png)
"[a time period]"