Editing v0.31:Controls guide

{{quality|Fine|02:55 08 November 2010 (UTC)}}{{av}}
This is a beginner's guide to Fortress Mode interface {{L|controls}}. This page assumes the default {{L|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 {{L|Creatures}}, Objects, {{L|Building|Buildings}}, {{L|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 {{L|forbid|forbidden}}, {{L|dump|dumped}}, or {{L|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 {{L|dwarf}}, an {{L|creature|animal}}, a {{L|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, {{L|attributes}} and {{L|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|w}} {{L|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|p}} Preferences - This menu includes a number of sub-menus: 
** {{key|l}} Labor - This lists which types of {{L|job|jobs}} the dwarf will accept. Very important for controlling their behavior.
** {{key|e}} Work Dogs - Assign {{L|Animal training|trained}} {{L|dog|dogs}} to this dwarf. 
** {{key|s}} Soldering and Hunting - Change the dwarf's {{L|weapon}} and {{L|armor}} choices. 
** {{key|A}} Activate/Deactivate dwarf - Draft the dwarf into the {{L|military}}.
** {{key|z}} View Profile - Views a dwarf's profile. From here, you can view {{L|thought|thoughts}} and {{L|preference|preferences}}, view his {{L|relationships}}, and give him a custom nickname or profession title. (see also {{L|Technical tricks#The look of the game|Technical tricks}}.)
** {{key|R}} Royal Guard - Make the dwarf a {{L|Royal Guard}}, or remove him from the guard if he already is one.
** {{key|C}} Fortress Guard - Make the dwarf a {{L|Fortress Guard}}, or remove him from the guard if he already is one.

===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 {{L|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 {{L|furniture}} you can define a {{L|room}} from it (e.g. a {{L|bed}} into a {{L|bedroom}}, a {{L|chair}} into an {{L|office}}, etc). Depending on the type of furniture there are additional options (e.g. a {{L|door}} can be locked, a {{L|coffin}} can be used for either {{L|pet}} or citizen burial). 
*You can also assign a {{L|room}} to belong to a specific dwarf.
*If you query a {{L|farm plot}} you can change what crops are being planted.
*If you query a {{L|stockpile}} you can change what types of objects are stored there, how many {{L|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 {{L|workshop|workshops}}, {{L|Trade depot|depots}}, and {{L|trap|traps}}.

===Squads, s===
{{k|s}} This command is used to control your military squads. The options are:{{verify}}
*{{k|l}} Lock on squad - Instead of selecting the squad nearest the cursor this squad will remain selected.
*{{k|p}} Add a patrol route - Add a series of points and the squad will walk around them.
*{{k|x}} Delete patrol route - Self-explanatory.
*{{k|s}} Station squad - The squad will congregate around the point you define. This is overridden if they have a patrol route.
*{{k|z}} Zoom to commander - Self-explanatory.
*{{K|+}}/{{K|-}} Lock on another squad - change which squad you have selected.

[OUTDATED PLEASE REVISE]

=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 {{L|furniture}}, start {{L|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}} '''{{L|Workshop|Workshops}}'''
*{{k|e}} '''{{L|Furnace|Furnaces}}'''
*{{key|C}} '''{{L|Construction}}'''
*{{key|T}} '''{{L|Trap|Traps}}'''
*{{key|M}} '''{{L|Machine component|Machine components}}'''

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

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

==Zones, i==
{{key|i}} Mark an {{L|activity zone}} for drinking {{L|water}}, {{L|fishing}}, {{L|dump}}, a pit or pond, {{L|meeting hall}} or {{L|sand}} collection. 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 {{L|trade}} or {{L|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 {{L|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 {{L|building}} associated with the the dwarf's current task. For hauling tasks, this is the destination {{L|stockpile}}.
* {{key|m}} '''Manager''' Takes you to the {{L|Manager#Setting_up_work_orders|job manager}} screen.

==Military, m==
{{key|m}} This is the completely revamped military screen

''Please fill in the blanks''

==Room List, R==
{{key|R}} Lists all {{L|Room|Rooms}}, {{L|Building|Buildings}}, {{L|Stockpile|Stockpiles}}, and even {{L|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 {{L|artifact|artifacts}} your fortress has produced. 

==Nobles & Administrators, n==
{{key|n}} Access the {{L|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 {{L|creature|animals}} in your fort.
* '''Kitchens''' From here you can specify what {{L|food|foods}} can {{L|cook|cooked}} or {{L|brew|brewed}}. 
* '''Stone''' Controls the use of {{L|ore|ores}} and {{L|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 {{L|bookkeeper}}. 
* '''Prices''' The prices of items in the {{L|economy}}
* '''Currency''' The amount of {{L|copper}}, {{L|silver}}, and {{L|gold}} {{L|coin|coins}} you have
* '''Justice''' Shows the details of the dwarven {{L|justice}} system, once you have one.
* '''Health''' Overview of the health status of the fortress.
See {{L|Status}} for more details.

=Miscellaneous=

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

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

{{Game Interface FAQ}}