Options

The game options affect the look and feel of the game. They can be changed permanently in the defaults.nh file (or ~/.nethackrc on unix) or by using the in-game options screen.

To set options in the configuration file, list the boolean option to turn it on, prefix it with 'no' or '!' to turn it off, and for compound options, put the value after the option name, separated by colon: OPTIONS=boulder:0, color, autodig, !cmdassist, norest_on_space OPTIONS=catname:Mirri This sets boulder to 0, enables color and autodig, disables cmdassist and rest_on_space, and sets your cat's name to Mirri.

You can also set the options from the command line by setting the NETHACKOPTIONS environment variable.

The options screen is shown by pressing shift-O in the game.

align
Your starting alignment. Compound option, with possible values of lawful, neutral or chaotic. Cannot be set in-game.

align_message
Where to align or place the message window. Compound option, with possible values of top, bottom, left, or right. Cannot bet set in-game.

align_status
Where to align or place the status window. Compound option, with possible values of top</tt>, bottom</tt>, left</tt>, or right</tt>. Cannot bet set in-game.

altkeyhandler
Select an alternate keystroke handler dll to load. The name of the handler is specified without the .dll extension and without any path information. Win32 only. Cannot be set in-game.

altmeta
Use the alt keys as meta keys. Boolean option, default is on. Only implemented for Amiga. Cannot be set in-game.

ascii_map
NetHack should display an ascii character map if it can. Boolean option. Can be set in-game.

asksavedisk
NetHack should ask for save file disk for saving game. Only available if NetHack was compiled with MFLOPPY. Boolean option, defaults to false. Can be set in-game.

autodig
Automatically dig, if you're wielding a digging tool and moving into a place that can be dug. A boolean option, defaults to FALSE. Can be set in-game.

autopickup
Automatically pick up things onto which you move. See also pickup_types. A boolean option, defaults to TRUE. Can be set in-game.

autoquiver
Automatically quiver some suitable weapon if your quiver empties when firing. A boolean option, defaults to FALSE. Can be set in-game.

BIOS
Use BIOS calls to update the screen display quickly and to read the keyboard (allowing the use of arrow keys to move) on machines with an IBM PC compatible BIOS ROM. Boolean option, default off. OS/2, PC, and ST NetHack only. Cannot be set in-game.

boulder
Set the symbol used to display boulders. For example boulder:0</tt> Can be set in-game.

catname
Set the name of your starting cat. Compound option, and it cannot be set within game. See also dogname and horsename.

character
Compound option. Sets your character type. Synonym for role. Can also be random</tt>.

checkpoint
Save game state after each level change, for possible recovery after program crash. A boolean option, defaults to TRUE. Can be set in-game.

checkspace
Check free disk space before writing files to disk. You may have to turn this off if you have more than 2 GB free space on the partition used for your save and level files. A boolean option, defaults to on. Only applies when MFLOPPY was defined during compilation.

cmdassist
NetHack provides some additional command assistance when it detects some anticipated mistakes. A boolean option, defaults to TRUE. Can be set in-game.

color
NetHack should display color if it can for different monsters, objects, and dungeon features. This option matters only for the TTY windowport. A boolean option, defaults to TRUE on Windows and some other systems, FALSE on others. Can be set in-game.

confirm
Have user confirm attacks on peaceful creatures. A boolean option, defaults to TRUE. Can be set in-game.

DECgraphics
Use DEC line-drawing characters. Won't work for all terminals. A boolean option, defaults to TRUE. Can be set in-game. Turning this on sets IBMgraphics to FALSE.

disclose
Controls the prompts at the end of the game. Possible values are Each of those values can be preceded with a value that tells how it behaves. The possible values are For example OPTIONS=disclose:yi na +v -g -c
 * i</tt> - disclose your inventory
 * a</tt> - disclose your attributes
 * v</tt> - summarize monsters you've killed
 * g</tt> - list genocided monsters
 * c</tt> - display conduct
 * y</tt> - prompt, defaults to yes
 * n</tt> - prompt, defaults to no
 * +</tt> - disclose without prompting
 * -</tt> - don't disclose, don't prompt

dogname
Set the name of your starting dog. Compound option, and it cannot be set within game. See also catname and horsename.

dungeon
Set the character symbols for displaying the dungeon. Compound option, takes a string of up to 41 characters, with default values of  |||.-|++##.##&lt;&gt;&lt;&gt;_|\\#{}.}..## #}</tt>

effects
Set the character symbols used for displaying various effects. Compound option, takes a string of up to 29 characters, with defaults values of <tt>|-\\/*!)(0#@*/-\\||\\-//-\\| |\\-/</tt>

eight_bit_tty
NetHack should pass eight-bit character values straight through to your terminal. A boolean option, defaults to FALSE. Can be set in-game.

extmenu
Does extended commands interface pop up a menu? A boolean option, defaults to FALSE. Only implemented for the TTY windowport.

female
An obsolete synonym for <tt>gender:female</tt>. Cannot be set in-game.

fixinv
An object's inventory letter sticks to it when it's dropped, so when you pick it up again, it will have the same inventory letter, unless there is already another item in your inventory using that letter. A boolean option, defaults to TRUE. Can be set in-game.

flush
TODO. A boolean option, defaults to off. Only usable on Amiga. Can be set in-game.

font_map
NetHack should use a font by the chosen name for the map window.

font_menu
NetHack should use a font by the chosen name for menu windows.

font_message
NetHack should use a font by the chosen name for the message window.

font_status
NetHack should use a font by the chosen name for the status window.

font_text
NetHack should use a font by the chosen name for text windows.

font_size_map
NetHack should use this size font for the map window.

font_size_menu
NetHack should use this size font for menu windows.

font_size_message
NetHack should use this size font for the message window.

font_size_status
NetHack should use this size font for the status window.

font_size_text
NetHack should use this size font for text windows.

fruit
Set the name of the user-defineable fruit. Compound option, takes a string, with default value of <tt>slime mold</tt>. Can be set in-game.

fullscreen
NetHack should try and display on the entire screen rather than in a window. A boolean option, defaults to false. Cannot be set in-game.

gender
Sets the gender of your character. A compound option, with possible values of <tt>male</tt> or <tt>female</tt> or <tt>random</tt>. Default value is to pick an appropriate gender randomly. Cannot bet se in-game.

help
If more information is available for an object looked at with the '/' command, ask if you want to see it. A boolean option, defaults to TRUE. Can be set in-game.

hilite_pet
Visually distinguish pets from similar animals. A boolean option, defaults to FALSE. Can be set in-game.

horsename
Set the name of your starting horse. Compound option, and it cannot be set within game. See also catname and dogname.

IBMgraphics
Main article: IBMgraphics

Use IBM extended characters. Won't work for all terminals. A boolean option, defaults to FALSE. Only implemented for the TTY windowport. Can be set in-game.

ignintr
Ignore interrupt signals, including breaks. A boolean option, defaults to FALSE. Not implemented on Mac. Can be set in-game.

large_font
NetHack should use a large font.

legacy
Display an introductory message when starting the game. A boolean option, defaults to on. Cannot be set in-game.

lit_corridor
Distinguish visually between lit and unlit corridors. A boolean option, defaults to FALSE. Can be set in-game.

lootabc
Use the old <tt>a</tt>, <tt>b</tt> and <tt>c</tt> keyboard shortcuts when looting. A boolean option, defaults to FALSE. Can be set in-game.

MACgraphics
Use MAC-specific character set to display map. A boolean, Macs only, defaults to on. See also IBMgraphics and DECgraphics.

mail
Enable mail delivery during the game. Boolean option, defaults to on. Only meaningful is NetHack was compiled with MAIL. Can be set in-game.

map_mode
NetHack should display the map in the manner specified.

menu_deselect_all
Menu character accelerator to deselect all items in a menu. Implemented by the Amiga, Gem, X11 and tty ports. Compound option, with default of <tt>'-'</tt>. Cannot be set in-game.

menu_deselect_page
Menu character accelerator to deselect all items on this page of a menu. Implemented by the Amiga, Gem and tty ports. Compound option, with default of <tt>'\'</tt>. Cannot be set in-game.

menu_first_page
Menu character accelerator to jump to the first page of a menu. Implemented by the Amiga, Gem and tty ports. Compound option, with default of <tt>'^'</tt>. Cannot be set in-game.

menu_headings
Controls how the headings in a menu are highlighted. Compound option, with possible values of <tt>bold</tt>, <tt>inverse</tt>, or <tt>underline</tt>. Not all ports can actually display all three types.

menu_invert_all
Menu character accelerator to toggle the selections in a menu. Implemented by the Amiga, Gem, X11 and tty ports. Compound option, with default of <tt>'@'</tt>. Cannot be set in-game.

menu_invert_page
Menu character accelerator to toggle the selection on this page of a menu. Implemented by the Amiga, Gem and tty ports. Compound option, with default of <tt>'~'</tt>. Cannot be set in-game.

menu_last_page
Menu character accelerator to jump to the last page of a menu. Implemented by the Amiga, Gem and tty ports. Compound option, with default of <tt>'|'</tt>. Cannot be set in-game.

menu_next_page
Menu character accelerator to goto the next page of a menu. Implemented by the Amiga, Gem and tty ports. Compound option, with default of <tt>'>'</tt>. Cannot be set in-game.

menu_previous_page
Menu character accelerator to goto the previous page of a menu. Implemented by the Amiga, Gem and tty ports. Compound option, with default of <tt>'<'</tt>. Cannot be set in-game.

menu_search
Menu character accelerator to search for a menu item. Implemented by the Amiga, Gem and X11 ports. Compound option, with default of <tt>':'</tt>. Cannot be set in-game.

menu_select_all
Menu character accelerator to select all items in a menu. Implemented by the Amiga, Gem, X11 and tty ports. Compound option, with default of <tt>'.'</tt>. Cannot be set in-game.

menu_select_page
Menu character accelerator to select all items on this page of a menu. Implemented by the Amiga, Gem and tty ports. Compound option, with default of <tt>','</tt>. Cannot be set in-game.

menu_tab_sep
Use tabs to separate menu names from their values. This option is only shown when in wizard-mode, and is only meant for testing purposes.

menustyle
Controls the interface used when you need to choose various objects (in response to the Drop command, for instance). Compound option, with following possible values:
 * <tt>traditional</tt> - prompt for object class characters, followed by an object-by-object prompt for all matching items
 * <tt>combination</tt> - prompt for object classes of interest, then display a menu of matching objects
 * <tt>partial</tt> - skip the object class filtering and immediately display a menu of all objects
 * <tt>full</tt> - display a menu of object classes, and then a menu of matching objects

monsters
Set the character symbols for displaying the monsters. Compound option, takes a string of up to 60 characters, with default values of <tt>abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ@ '&amp;;:~]</tt>. Cannot be set in-game.

msghistory
Number of message-window messages to save. Compound option, takes an positive number, with default of 20. Maximum and minimum values depend on the window port. Cannot be set in-game.

msg_window
How to show the latest messages recalled with <tt>^P</tt>. Compound option, with the following possible values: For backwards compatibility, no value need to be given; in that case defaults to '<tt>full</tt>', or it can be negated like a boolean option, in which case defaults to '<tt>single</tt>'. Can be set in-game if playing the TTY windowport, otherwise not.
 * <tt>single</tt> - show single message
 * <tt>combination</tt> - two messages as single, then as full
 * <tt>full</tt> - full window, oldest message first
 * <tt>reversed</tt> - full window, newest message first

mouse_support
Use mouse for moving around. A boolean, defaults to FALSE. Is displayed, but cannot be set in-game.

name
The name of your character. Compound option, defaults to your user name. If set to <tt>player</tt>, then NetHack will ask for the user name, even on systems where it normally wouldn't. If suffixed with dash and character role letter, then also defines the character role, or if suffixed with <tt>-@</tt>, then selects a random role. Cannot be set in-game.

news
Read the NetHack <tt>news</tt> file, if present. Boolean option, defaults on.

null
Send padding NULLs to terminal. A boolean, defaults to FALSE. Only used if you compiled NetHack with TERMCAP and without TIMED_DELAY.

number_pad
Use the number keys to move instead of [yuhjklbn]. 0=use [yuhjklbn] (default)

1=use [79428613]

2=use [79428613] and invokes the old DOS behavior where `5' means `g', meta-`5' means `G', and meta-`0' means `I'

With <tt>number_pad:1</tt> or <tt>number_pad:2</tt>, counts need to be prefixed with '<tt>n</tt>' (<tt>n50s</tt> to search 50 times). Also, some extended commands are available in a short form (l=#loot, u=#untrap, etc).

objects
Set the character symbols for displaying the object classes. Compound option, takes a string of up to 17 characters, with default values of <tt>])[="(%!?+/$*`0_.</tt>. Cannot be set in-game.

packorder
Sets the order of item classes shown in inventory. Compound option, takes a string of up to 14 characters, with default values of <tt>")[%?+!=/(*`0_</tt>. Can be set in-game.

page_wait
TODO. A boolean, Macs only, defaults to on.

perm_invent
Show permanent inventory window. A boolean, default to FALSE. Not used on TTY. Can be set in-game.

pettype
Sets your preferred pet type. A compound option, with possible value of <tt>cat</tt>, <tt>dog</tt> or <tt>none</tt>. Cannot be set in-game.

pickup_burden
Prompt for confirmation before picking up items that will push the character's encumbrance past a given level -- <tt>Unencumbered</tt>, <tt>Burdened</tt>, <tt>Stressed</tt>, <tt>Strained</tt>, or <tt>Overtaxed</tt>. This will NOT prompt the player if he is about to pick up a loadstone.

pickup_types
Specify the object types to be picked up when autopickup is on. Default is all types.

player_selection
NetHack should pop up dialog boxes, or use prompts for character selection. Compound option. Cannot be set in-game.

popup_dialog
NetHack should pop up dialog boxes for input. A boolean option, defaults to false. Can be set in-game.

prayconfirm
Prompt for confirmation before praying. A boolean, defaults to TRUE. Can be set in-game.

preload_tiles
NetHack should preload tiles into memory. A boolean option, defaults to true. Cannot be set in-game.

pushweapon
If you wield something when you are already wielding something else, the old weapon is pushed into the alternate weapon slot. A boolean, defaults to FALSE. Can be set in-game.

race
Set your character's race. A compound option, with possible values of <tt>human</tt>, <tt>elf</tt>, <tt>dwarf</tt>, <tt>gnome</tt>, <tt>orc</tt> or <tt>random</tt>, with default of random. Cannot be set in-game.

rawio
Force raw (non-cbreak) mode for faster output and more bulletproof input (MS-DOS sometimes treats `^P' as a printer toggle without it) Default off, OS/2,  PC,  and  ST  NetHack  only. Note: DEC Rainbows hang if this is turned on. Cannot be set in-game.

rest_on_space
Space waits for a turn. This is considered by some as a very easy way to get killed.

A boolean, defaults to FALSE. Can be set in-game.

role
Set your character's role. A compound option. Cannot be set in-game.

runmode
Set the screen updating interval for multi-turn actions, eg. running or traveling. A compound option with the following possible values: Can be set in-game.
 * <tt>teleport</tt> - update the map after movement has finished;
 * <tt>run</tt> - update the map after every seven or so steps;
 * <tt>walk</tt> - update the map after each step;
 * <tt>crawl</tt> - like walk, but pause briefly after each step.

safe_pet
Prevents you from attacking your pet by moving into it. TRUE is the best setting as attacking a pet, should you wish to, is easily accomplished using the fight command.

A boolean, defaults to TRUE. Can be set in-game.

sanity_check
This option turns on debugging output, and is only available in wizard mode.

A boolean, defaults to FALSE.

scores
Control what part of hiscore list to show at the end of game. Compound option. Can be set in-game. Accept the following options, separated by spaces: For example OPTIONS=scores:10t 2a o
 * <tt>o</tt> - show my own score. Can be prefixed with <tt>!</tt> to not show own score.
 * <tt>Xa</tt> - show X scores around own score
 * <tt>Xt</tt> - show X scores from the top

scroll_amount
NetHack should scroll the display this many map cells when the hero reaches the scroll_margin. A compound option, accepts a positive number. Cannot be set in-game.

scroll_margin
NetHack should scroll the display when the hero or cursor is this number of cells away from the edge of the window. A compound option, accepts a positive number. Cannot be set in-game.

showexp
Displays the exact number of experience points next to your experience level on the status line. Useful for seeing how close you are to the next level, but it may increase the length of the status line a lot, pushing important notifications (like Hungry, Ill, FoodPois, etc.) off the end.

A boolean, defaults to FALSE. Can be set in-game.

showrace
Uses the symbol for your race instead of. That's for dwarves,  for orcs and  for gnomes. Elves are still. This could be useful for reminding you not to genocide h but is not widely used.

A boolean, defaults to FALSE. Can be set in-game.

showscore
Shows your approximate accumulated score on the bottom line. A boolean option, defaults to false. Can be set in-game. Only available if NetHack was compiled with SCORE_ON_BOTL.

silent
Stops your terminal's bell sounding.

A boolean, defaults to TRUE. Can be set in-game.

softkeyboard
Display an on-screen keyboards; handhelds are most likely to support this. Boolean option, defaults to off. Cannot be set in-game.

sortpack
Groups similar kinds of objects in your inventory. TRUE is highly recommended.

A boolean, defaults to TRUE. Can be set in-game.

sound
Enables messages about what your character hears. Quite a handicap if set to FALSE.

A boolean, defaults to TRUE. Can be set in-game.

soundcard
Compound option, defaults to on. Only for the PC NetHack. Cannot be set in-game.

sparkle
Display sparkly effect for resisted magical attacks (e.g. a fire attack on a fire-resistant monster). It can be helpful to turn this off on the Plane of Fire, otherwise a dozen or more sparkles will occur per turn.

A boolean, defaults to TRUE. Can be set in-game.

splash_screen
NetHack should display an opening splash screen when it starts up. Boolean option, defaults to yet.

standout
Uses standout mode (reverse video) for displaying "<tt>--More--</tt>".

A boolean, defaults to FALSE. Can be set in-game.

subkeyvalue
(Win32 tty NetHack only). May be used to alter the value of keystrokes that the operating system returns to NetHack to help compensate for international keyboard issues. <tt>OPTIONS=subkeyvalue:171/92</tt> will return 92 to NetHack, if 171 was originally going to be returned. You can use multiple subkeyvalue statements in the config file if needed. Cannot be set in-game.

suppress_alert
Prevent alert notification messages about feature changes in a NetHack version and the previous versions. Compound option, accepts a string describing a NetHack version. Can be set in-game. Currently only one use, which is to prevent the quiver and quit-command changes: OPTIONS=suppress_alert:3.3.1

tile_width
Specify the preferred width of each tile in a tile capable port. Compound option, accepts a positive number. Cannot be set in-game.

tile_height
Specify the preferred height of each tile in a tile capable port. Compound option, accepts a positive number. Cannot be set in-game.

tile_file
Specify the name of an alternative tile file to override the default. Compound option. Cannot be set in-game.

tiled_map
NetHack should display a tiled map if it can. Boolean option, Cannot be set in-game.

time
Displays elapsed game time, in moves, on the status line. Very useful for estimating prayer timeouts, spell lifespan, and more.

A boolean, defaults to FALSE. Can be set in-game.

timed_delay
On unix and VMS, use a timer instead of sending extra screen output when attempting to pause for a display effect. On MSDOS without the termcap lib, chooses whether or not to pause for visual effect.

A boolean, defaults to TRUE. Can be set in-game.

tombstone
Prints an ASCII tombstone when you die.

A boolean, defaults to TRUE. Can be set in-game.

toptenwin
Prints the top ten high scores in a window rather than stdout. This isn't very useful unless you are using a GUI version.

A boolean, defaults to FALSE. Can be set in-game.

travel
Enables the travel command.

A boolean, defaults to TRUE. Can be set in-game.

use_inverse
Displays certain things in reverse video.

A boolean, defaults to FALSE on non-Win32 platforms. Can be set in-game.

vary_msgcount
NetHack should display this number of messages at a time in the message window. Compound option, accepts a positive number. Cannot be set in-game.

verbose
Chooses whether or not to display certain non-essential messages, such as doors being destroyed.

A boolean, defaults to TRUE. Can be set in-game.

video
Set the video mode used. PC NetHack only. Values are <tt>autodetect</tt>, <tt>default</tt>, or <tt>vga</tt>. Setting <tt>vga</tt> (or <tt>autodetect</tt> with vga hardware present) will cause the game to display tiles. Cannot be set in-game.

videocolors
Set the color palette for PC systems using NO_TERMS (default <tt>4-2-6-1-5-3-15-12-10-14-9-13-11</tt>, PC NetHack only). The order of colors is red, green, brown, blue, magenta, cyan, bright.white, bright.red, bright.green, yellow, bright.blue, bright.magenta, and bright.cyan. Cannot be set in-game.

videoshades
Set the intensity level of the three gray scales available (default dark normal light, PC NetHack only). If the game display is difficult to read, try adjusting these scales; if this does not correct the problem, try !color. Cannot be set in-game.

windowcolors
NetHack should display windows with the specified foreground/background colors if it can. Compound option. Cannot be set in-game. Example: OPTIONS=windowcolors:menu white/black message green/yellow status white/blue text white/black

windowtype
Select which windowing system to use, such as <tt>tty</tt> or <tt>X11</tt> (default depends on version). Cannot be set in-game. Example: OPTIONS=windowtype:tty

wraptext
NetHack port should wrap long lines of text if they don't fit in the visible portion of the window. Boolean, defaults to false. Can be set in-game.