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.

The options screen is shown by pressing shift-O in the game. The are several options so the screen is divided into four screens. It looks as follows:

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.

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.

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.

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.

fixinv
An object's inventory letter sticks to it when it's dropped. A boolean option, defaults to TRUE. Can be set 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.

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.

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

1 of 4
Set what options? Booleans (selecting will toggle value): legacy       [true] news         [false] a - autodig      [true] b - autopickup   [false] c - autoquiver   [false] d - checkpoint   [true] e - cmdassist    [true] f - color        [true] g - confirm      [true] h - DECgraphics  [false] i - eight_bit_tty [false] j - extmenu      [false] k - fixinv       [true] l - help         [true] m - hilite_pet   [true] n - IBMgraphics  [true] o - ignintr      [false] p - lit_corridor [true] q - lootabc      [false] r - menu_tab_sep [false] s - mouse_support [true]

2 of 4
a - null         [true] b - perm_invent  [false] c - prayconfirm  [true] d - pushweapon   [false] e - rest_on_space [false] f - safe_pet     [true] g - sanity_check [false] h - showexp      [true] i - showrace     [false] j - silent       [true] k - sortpack     [true] l - sound        [true] m - sparkle      [true] n - standout     [false] o - time         [true] p - tombstone    [true] q - toptenwin    [false] r - travel       [true] s - use_inverse  [true] t - verbose      [true] Compounds (selecting will prompt for new value): name             [wizard] role             [Tourist]

3 of 4
race             [human] gender           [male] align            [neutral] altkeyhandler    [nhraykey.dll] catname          [(none)] dogname          [(none)] horsename        [(none)] msghistory       [20] pettype          [random] windowtype       [tty] a - boulder          [÷] b - disclose         [yi ya yv +g +c] c - fruit            [pineapple] d - menustyle        [full] e - menu_headings    [inverse] f - msg_window       [single] g - number_pad       [0=off] h - packorder        [$")[%?+!=/(*`0_] i - pickup_burden     [stressed] j - pickup_types      [all] k - runmode           [run] l - scores            [3 top/2 around] m - suppress_alert    [3.3.1] n - autopickup exceptions (0 currently set)

4 of 4
Variable playground locations: hackdir          [C:\Games\NetHack\] leveldir         [C:\Games\NetHack\] savedir          [C:\Games\NetHack\] bonesdir         [C:\Games\NetHack\] datadir          [C:\Games\NetHack\] scoredir         [C:\Games\NetHack\] lockdir          [C:\Games\NetHack\] configdir        [C:\Games\NetHack\] troubledir       [C:\Games\NetHack\]