Unit commands

Commands are the orders or directions that players issue to their units throughout a game of Zero-K. Most of the actions and decisions that players make throughout a game are implemented via issuing various types of commands. This page lists and categorizes all the commands with links for details on specific commands.

Command Types

There are three main types of command: targeted commands, instant commands and state toggles.

• Targeted commands are issued with a target. Targets can include units and map features (rocks, trees, wrecks) as well as positions, areas and lines drawn that you draw on the map when the command is issued. Targeting lines, areas or multiple units or features is commonly achieved by clicking an dragging.
• Instant commands activate unit abilities that require no target.
• State toggles are standing orders that modify behaviour or toggle certain abilities.

Giving Commands

Instant commands and state toggles can be issued by clicking their button in the command panel or pressing their hotkey. Right clicking a state toggle cycles the toggle backwards or reset it to a deactivated state, depending on the command. Hotkeys to set a state toggle to a particular state can be bound in the hotkeys menu.

Targeted commands can be issued with either the left or right mouse buttons.

• Click the right mouse button to issue a context sensitive command. The command that will be issued is indicated by the mouse cursor and depends on both your unit selection and the target of the command. Common examples are force fire when the target is an enemy unit and move when the the target is empty ground.
• Click the left mouse button to issue a command selected. To select a command click on its button in the command panel or press its hotkey. The selected command is indicated by the mouse cursor and a highlighted command button. Issue the command (without holding Shift) or right click to deselect the command.

Targeted commands can be modified in many ways.

• Click and drag to draw a circle or a line. Most commands support either line or circle drawing and some support both depending on other modifers.
• Many commands are modified by holding Alt or Ctrl while clicking to issue the command.
• Some commands change depending on whether they are targeted on a unit or the ground.

Queuing and Inserting Commands

Units maintain a list of commands, known as their command queue, that are executed in order as each command is completed. Most targeted and instant commands can be added to the end of the queue or inserted or inserted into the queue. State toggles cannot be added to the queue and always take effect instantly.

• Hold SHIFT while issuing a targeted or instant command to add it to the end of the command queue.
• Hold SPACE while issuing a targeted command to add it to the start of the command queue, pushing the current command to the second spot in the queue.
• Hold SHIFT+SPACE while issuing a targeted command to insert it at the point in the command queue that would result in the least extra travel time.

A targeted command that is issued without holding Shift or Space cancels the entire command queue, replacing it with the newly issued command. An instant command that is issued without holding Shift or Space immediately executes the command without affecting the rest of the queue. Nobody knows what happens if an instant command is issued with Space held.

Factory Production Commands

Factories can make use of unit commands to make produced units take specific actions when leaving the factory. For example, units can be set to move to a point or patrol as soon as they are produced.

Unit commands given to factories can also be queued and modified, as above.

Modifiers

Commands can have their behaviour modified using ALT and CTRL, and can be combined with SHIFT and SPACE to queue commands. Some commands also change their behaviour when targeted on a unit or the ground. See the reference page for a quick list of common modifier behaviour. See each commands page for details.

Full List of Commands

Common targeted commands

• Move
• Attack Move
• Jump
• Force Fire
• Set Target
• Fire Special Weapon
• Area Attack
• Guard
• Patrol

Common economic commands

• Repair
• Reclaim
• Resurrect
• Area Mex
• Structure placement commands
• Unit construction commands
• Terraforming commands

Instant commands

• Stop
• Wait
• Detonate
• Self Destruct
• Cancel Target
• Return to Airbase
• Recall Drones
• Clear Production Queue
• Stockpile

Transport commands

• Load
• Unload
• Load Selected Units
• Eject Cargo
• Embark
• Disembark

Unusual commands

• Newton firezone commands
• Morph
• Upgrade Commander
• Stop Commander Upgrade
• Drop Bombs
• Unleash Lightning
• Teleport Beacon
• Drop Depthcharge
• Speed Boost
• Evacuate

Global commands

• Ferry
• Retreat
• Reserve

State commands

• Fire State
• Move State
• Repeat
• Overkill Prevention
• Retreat
• Build Priority
• Build Misc
• Factory Assist
• Cloak
• Unit AI
• On/Off
• Idle State
• Float State
• Trajectory
• Fire at Radar
• Dive State
• Area Cloak
• Gunship Strafe
• Kill Captured
• Drone Construction
• Impulse Mode