Don’t Starve Together Console Commands & Admin Cheats

This guide explains how to use console commands and admin cheats in Don’t Starve Together (DST), covering how to enable the console, the most useful commands for spawning items, changing the world, and managing players, plus how to set yourself as an admin. You’ll also learn common troubleshooting steps and answers to frequent questions about console usage.

Background: Why Console Commands Exist in DST

Don’t Starve Together is a multiplayer survival game developed by Klei Entertainment. Unlike many modern games that lock out developer tools, DST retains a full console interface that players can access on both Windows and Mac versions. These commands were originally intended for debugging and testing, but Klei has kept them accessible to players, allowing server hosts and admins to manage their worlds, spawn items, and alter game mechanics. The console is a powerful tool: it can be used to recover from bugs, set up custom challenges, or simply make the game more accessible for casual play. However, it’s important to understand that using console commands can disable Steam achievements for that world, and in multiplayer, only the server host (or players with admin privileges) can execute most commands.

How to Enable and Open the Console

Before you can type any commands, you need to open the console. The method differs slightly depending on your operating system:

• Windows: Press the tilde key (~) or the backtick key (`)—usually located below the Escape key. If this doesn’t work, try the Tab key or Ctrl + ~.
• Mac: Press Option + ~ (or Alt + ~ on some keyboards).

When the console opens, a text input field appears at the top of the screen. Type your command and press Enter to execute it. To close the console, press the same key combination again. Note that the console only works when you are the host of a world (in single-player or as the server host in multiplayer). If you are joining someone else’s world, you cannot use console commands unless they have enabled admin privileges for you.

Essential Admin Commands and How to Use Them

Once the console is open, you can type commands directly. Here are the most commonly used admin commands, categorized by function:

Setting Admin Status

To grant yourself admin privileges in a server you host, type:

c_admin()

This gives you access to admin-only actions like kicking/banning players and using the debug menu. To give another player admin, use:

c_admin(player)

Replace player with the player’s name (e.g., c_admin("Alice")).

Spawning Items

The most common command is c_give(), which spawns an item into your inventory. The syntax is:

c_give("item_prefab", count)

For example, to spawn 10 cooked meat:

c_give("cookedmeat", 10)

To spawn an item at your feet (useful for large structures), use c_spawn():

c_spawn("prefab", count)

For example, c_spawn("chester", 1) spawns Chester.

God Mode and Health

To become invincible (god mode), type:

c_godmode()

To restore your health to maximum, use:

c_sethealth(1)

Note: c_sethealth(1) sets your health to 100% (the value 1 represents 100%).

World and Time Manipulation

To skip to a specific day, use:

c_skipday()

This advances to the next day. To set the time of day (0 = dawn, 0.5 = midday, 1 = dusk), use:

c_settime(0.5)

To toggle the day cycle (freeze time), use:

c_slowmo(0)

Setting the slowmo factor to 0 freezes time; 1 returns to normal speed.

Player Management

To teleport to a player, type:

c_goto("PlayerName")

To bring a player to you, use:

c_push("PlayerName")

To kick or ban a player, use the in-game admin menu (accessible by pressing Tab in the pause menu) or use the console commands c_kick() and c_ban() with the player’s name.

Common Problems and Troubleshooting

Many players run into issues when using console commands. Here are the most frequent problems and their solutions:

• Console doesn’t open: Ensure you are on the latest version of the game. Some keyboard layouts require a different key (e.g., on some European keyboards, the key is ^ or °). Try pressing Ctrl + Shift + ~ or check your keybindings in the options menu.
• Command not recognized: This usually means you mistyped the command or the prefab name is incorrect. Use the in-game debug console (if enabled) to browse prefab names, or look up a list online. Remember that prefab names are case-sensitive.
• Commands don’t work in multiplayer: If you are not the host, you cannot use commands unless the host has granted you admin. The host must type c_admin("YourName") in their console.
• Achievements disabled: Using console commands in a world permanently disables Steam achievements for that world. This is intentional and cannot be undone.
• Game crashes after using a command: Some commands, especially those that spawn large numbers of entities or change world settings, can crash the game if used improperly. Always save your game before experimenting.

How to Choose the Right Command for Your Need

With hundreds of commands available, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. The key is to know what you want to achieve. Here’s a quick decision guide:

• I need an item: Use c_give("prefab", count) for inventory items or c_spawn("prefab", count) for entities (like Chester or a structure).
• I need to survive: Use c_godmode() for invincibility, c_sethealth(1) for full health, and c_setsanity(1) for full sanity.
• I want to change the world: Use c_settime() for time of day, c_skipday() to advance days, and c_slowmo() to slow/freeze time.
• I need to manage players: Use c_goto() to teleport to them, c_push() to bring them to you, and the admin menu for kicks/bans.

Remember that commands are case-sensitive. For example, c_give("log", 10) works, but c_give("Log", 10) will not.

Safety, Ethics, and Multiplayer Etiquette

Using console commands in single-player is completely safe and doesn’t affect other players. However, in multiplayer, it’s crucial to be considerate. Spawning items for yourself while others are playing can ruin the experience for everyone. If you’re hosting a public server, it’s a good practice to disable console commands for non-admins by setting c_consoleenabled(false) in the server settings, or by only granting admin to trusted players. Also, be aware that some commands (like c_godmode()) can cause desync issues if used on a dedicated server. Always test commands in a single-player world first to ensure they work as expected.

Alternatives to Console Commands

If you find console commands too technical or want a more user-friendly way to modify the game, there are alternatives:

• Mods: The Steam Workshop has thousands of mods that add new items, characters, and quality-of-life features. Many mods offer in-game configuration menus that are easier to use than console commands.
• World Settings: When creating a new world, you can adjust many settings (like resource abundance, season length, and enemy difficulty) without any commands. This is the recommended way to tailor the game to your liking.
• Admin Menu: In-game, you can access an admin menu (if you are the host) by pressing Tab while the pause menu is open. This menu allows you to spawn items, teleport, and manage players using a graphical interface.

These alternatives are often more intuitive and less error-prone than typing commands, especially for new players.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why don’t my console commands work?

Most likely, you are not the host of the world. Console commands only work for the server host (or players with admin privileges). If you are the host, check that you are typing the command correctly and that the console is open (you should see a text input field). Also, ensure you are using the correct prefab names—they are case-sensitive.

Can I use console commands to get achievements?

No. Using any console command in a world permanently disables Steam achievements for that world. This is a deliberate anti-cheat measure. If you want achievements, you must play without using console commands.

How do I spawn a specific item, like a walking cane?

Use the command c_give("cane", 1). The prefab name for the walking cane is “cane”. You can find a full list of prefab names online or by using the debug console (if enabled) to inspect items. Remember that the count is the second argument, so c_give("cane", 1) spawns one cane.

Is it possible to give items to other players?

Yes, you can spawn items into another player’s inventory using c_give("item", count, player). For example, c_give("log", 10, "Bob") gives 10 logs to the player named Bob. Alternatively, you can spawn items on the ground and let them pick them up.

How do I become an admin on a dedicated server?

On a dedicated server, you need to add your Steam ID to the adminlist.txt file in the server’s save directory. Alternatively, if you have console access to the server, you can type c_admin("YourName") in the server console. Once you are an admin, you can use all console commands.

Can I undo a command I accidentally ran?

There is no direct “undo” command. However, you can often reverse the effects manually. For example, if you spawned too many items, you can delete them by picking them up and dropping them into the void (or using the command c_remove("prefab")). If you changed the time, you can use c_settime() to set it back. It’s always a good idea to save your game before experimenting with commands.

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