Commands

From Terminal Descent Wiki

Commands are the 27 player actions available in Terminal Descent, spanning navigation, combat, hacking, trading, and social interaction. Every action in the game is performed by typing a command at the terminal prompt.

Command Reference

Navigation

> LOOK
SYNTAX look
ALIASES l
CATEGORY style="padding: 4px 12px; color:
  1. 44ccff; border-bottom: 1px solid #1a2a3a;" | Navigation
Examine your current location. Displays the room description, visible exits, NPCs present, and any obvious items or features.
Always LOOK when entering a new node. Details change based on game state.


> MOVE
SYNTAX move [direction/node]
ALIASES go, walk
CATEGORY style="padding: 4px 12px; color:
  1. 44ccff; border-bottom: 1px solid #1a2a3a;" | Navigation
Navigate to an adjacent node. Specify a direction or connected node name.
EXAMPLES move north / go echo_ruins
Some connections are one-way or require key items. Use SCAN to see available connections.


> SCAN
SYNTAX scan
CATEGORY style="padding: 4px 12px; color:
  1. 44ccff; border-bottom: 1px solid #1a2a3a;" | Navigation
Area scan showing all connections from the current node, including security levels and known threats.
Information quality improves with Analysis skill level.


> SEARCH
SYNTAX search
CATEGORY style="padding: 4px 12px; color:
  1. 44ccff; border-bottom: 1px solid #1a2a3a;" | Navigation
Thoroughly explore the current room for hidden items, data caches, and secret passages.
May reveal hidden nodes, items, and environmental details not visible with LOOK.


> EXAMINE
SYNTAX examine [target]
ALIASES x, inspect
CATEGORY style="padding: 4px 12px; color:
  1. 44ccff; border-bottom: 1px solid #1a2a3a;" | Navigation
Inspect a specific object, NPC, item, or feature in detail.
EXAMPLES examine terminal / x fence
Examining objects often reveals lore, hints, and interactive elements.


> LISTEN
SYNTAX listen
CATEGORY style="padding: 4px 12px; color:
  1. 44ccff; border-bottom: 1px solid #1a2a3a;" | Navigation
Listen to ambient sounds and data traffic in the current node.
Can reveal hidden IC, distant events, and environmental storytelling.


Combat

> ATTACK
SYNTAX attack [target]
ALIASES a, fight, hit
CATEGORY style="padding: 4px 12px; color:
  1. ff4444; border-bottom: 1px solid #1a2a3a;" | Combat
Execute an offensive action using your loaded attack program against the specified target.
EXAMPLES attack sentry
Generates HEAT. Damage based on program + Combat skill. Part of multiple protocol chains.


> DEFEND
SYNTAX defend
ALIASES d, block
CATEGORY style="padding: 4px 12px; color:
  1. ff4444; border-bottom: 1px solid #1a2a3a;" | Combat
Take a defensive stance, reducing incoming damage this turn based on your defense rating.
First step in Mirror Protocol (DEFEND → COUNTER → ATTACK).


> EVADE
SYNTAX evade
ALIASES dodge
CATEGORY style="padding: 4px 12px; color:
  1. ff4444; border-bottom: 1px solid #1a2a3a;" | Combat
Attempt to dodge all incoming attacks this turn. Success rate based on speed and Stealth skill.
First step in Breach Protocol (EVADE → ATTACK) and Ghost Protocol (EVADE → CLOAK → ATTACK).


> COUNTER
SYNTAX counter
CATEGORY style="padding: 4px 12px; color:
  1. ff4444; border-bottom: 1px solid #1a2a3a;" | Combat
Prepare a riposte. If hit this turn, reflect a portion of the damage back at the attacker.
Must be hit to trigger. Part of Mirror Protocol and Siege Protocol.


> CLOAK
SYNTAX cloak
CATEGORY style="padding: 4px 12px; color:
  1. ff4444; border-bottom: 1px solid #1a2a3a;" | Combat
Activate stealth, becoming invisible to IC for several turns. Duration based on Stealth skill (2-6 turns).
Breaks on attack action. Part of Ghost Protocol (EVADE → CLOAK → ATTACK). Prevents HEAT gain while active.


> SPOOF
SYNTAX spoof [identity]
CATEGORY style="padding: 4px 12px; color:
  1. ff4444; border-bottom: 1px solid #1a2a3a;" | Combat
Fake credentials or identity to confuse IC. Can cause IC to ignore you or misidentify you as authorized.
EXAMPLES spoof admin
Success based on Intrusion/Social skill. Reduces HEAT on success (-5 to -10).


Hacking

> ANALYZE
SYNTAX analyze [target]
ALIASES scan
CATEGORY style="padding: 4px 12px; color:
  1. aa44ff; border-bottom: 1px solid #1a2a3a;" | Hacking
Scan and identify a system, IC program, or data structure. Reveals stats, weaknesses, and hidden properties.
EXAMPLES analyze hunter
Information detail scales with Analysis skill. First step in Mercy Protocol and Fossil Protocol.


> PROBE
SYNTAX probe [target]
CATEGORY style="padding: 4px 12px; color:
  1. aa44ff; border-bottom: 1px solid #1a2a3a;" | Hacking
Quick reconnaissance of a target. Faster than ANALYZE but reveals less detail.
Useful for rapid assessment in combat. Analysis skill 3+ reveals additional info.


> DECRYPT
SYNTAX decrypt [target]
CATEGORY style="padding: 4px 12px; color:
  1. aa44ff; border-bottom: 1px solid #1a2a3a;" | Hacking
Attempt to crack an encrypted file, terminal, or data structure.
EXAMPLES decrypt classified_file
Success based on Crypto skill. Failed attempts may trigger alarms (+HEAT).


> SNIFF
SYNTAX sniff
CATEGORY style="padding: 4px 12px; color:
  1. aa44ff; border-bottom: 1px solid #1a2a3a;" | Hacking
Intercept data traffic flowing through the current node. Can reveal passwords, communications, and hidden data streams.
Effectiveness scales with Crypto skill. Passive — does not generate HEAT.


> DOWNLOAD
SYNTAX download [target]
ALIASES dl
CATEGORY style="padding: 4px 12px; color:
  1. aa44ff; border-bottom: 1px solid #1a2a3a;" | Hacking
Extract files from a datastore or terminal. Downloaded data is converted to DATA (¤) currency.
EXAMPLES download paydata
Value based on paydata classification. Primary income source.


> COMBINE
SYNTAX combine [item1] [item2]
CATEGORY style="padding: 4px 12px; color:
  1. aa44ff; border-bottom: 1px solid #1a2a3a;" | Hacking
Merge two compatible items or programs. Used for crafting, kill-switch assembly, and program upgrades.
EXAMPLES combine kill_switch_half_1 kill_switch_half_2
Not all items are combinable. Some combinations are puzzle solutions.


Social

> TALK
SYNTAX talk [npc]
ALIASES speak
CATEGORY style="padding: 4px 12px; color:
  1. 00ffd5; border-bottom: 1px solid #1a2a3a;" | Social
Start a conversation with an NPC. Opens the dialogue interface with available topics.
EXAMPLES talk fence
Available topics depend on game state, relationship tier, and player knowledge.


> ASK
SYNTAX ask [npc] about [topic]
CATEGORY style="padding: 4px 12px; color:
  1. 00ffd5; border-bottom: 1px solid #1a2a3a;" | Social
Ask an NPC about a specific topic. Topics unlock based on player discoveries and conversation history.
EXAMPLES ask fence about programs / ask conduit about lyra
NPCs remember previous conversations. New topics unlock as the player discovers information.


Connection

> JACK IN
SYNTAX jack in
ALIASES connect
CATEGORY style="padding: 4px 12px; color:
  1. ffaa00; border-bottom: 1px solid #1a2a3a;" | System
Connect to a network or subsystem within the current node.
Used to enter deeper layers, corporate networks, and rift portals.


> JACK OUT
SYNTAX jack out
ALIASES disconnect
CATEGORY style="padding: 4px 12px; color:
  1. ffaa00; border-bottom: 1px solid #1a2a3a;" | System
Disconnect from the current network. Dangerous at high HEAT — the Hive may trace your exit point.
At Meltdown HEAT, jacking out causes neural feedback damage.


System

> STATUS
SYNTAX status
ALIASES stats, deck
CATEGORY style="padding: 4px 12px; color:
  1. ffaa00; border-bottom: 1px solid #1a2a3a;" | System
Display the full telemetry dashboard: Cyberdeck stats, skill levels, HEAT, loaded programs, and current objectives.



> HELP
SYNTAX help [command]
ALIASES ?
CATEGORY style="padding: 4px 12px; color:
  1. ffaa00; border-bottom: 1px solid #1a2a3a;" | System
Display the command reference. Optionally specify a command for detailed usage information.
EXAMPLES help / help attack


> SAVE
SYNTAX save [slot_name]
CATEGORY style="padding: 4px 12px; color:
  1. ffaa00; border-bottom: 1px solid #1a2a3a;" | System
Save the current game state to a named slot with integrity verification.
EXAMPLES save before_boss
Multiple save slots supported. Saves include full game state.


> LOAD
SYNTAX load [slot_name]
ALIASES restore
CATEGORY style="padding: 4px 12px; color:
  1. ffaa00; border-bottom: 1px solid #1a2a3a;" | System
Load a previously saved game state.
EXAMPLES load before_boss
Integrity verification ensures save has not been corrupted.


> WAIT
SYNTAX wait
CATEGORY style="padding: 4px 12px; color:
  1. ffaa00; border-bottom: 1px solid #1a2a3a;" | System
Spend a turn doing nothing. Useful for observing IC patrol patterns, reducing HEAT in safe areas, and timing-based puzzles.
In safe nodes, WAIT reduces HEAT by 1 per turn. Part of Mercy Protocol (ANALYZE → REASON → WAIT).


Secret Commands

⚠ SPOILER: Hidden Commands [show/hide]

These commands are not listed in the HELP menu and must be discovered through exploration, NPC hints, or experimentation:

  • DIVE — Used at Backbone (Node 13) to access Deep Pool (H5). Requires GHOST_PACKET program loaded.
  • TRUST MIRROR — Used at Memory Palace (Node 15) after identifying 3+ deceptions to access Mirror's Nursery (H6).
  • XYZZY — Classic adventure game easter egg. Used at Credits screen after completing one ending to access Developer Room (H7).
  • KNOCK — Knocking on certain doors reveals hidden responses
  • WHISTLE — Attracts attention in certain nodes
  • PRAY — Environmental response in specific locations
  • PET — Can be used on certain NPCs for unique reactions
  • DANCE — Easter egg with environmental responses
  • SING — Environmental response, sometimes attracts IC
  • FLIP COIN — Random outcome used in some puzzle solutions
  • LOOK BEHIND — Check behind objects for hidden items
  • TAUNT — In combat, guarantees next ATTACK is a critical hit
  • REASON — Attempt to communicate with IC (part of Mercy Protocol)
  • LOOK AWAY — Used in specific Mirror deception sequences


See Also

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