---
title: "The Forest Console Commands: Full List and Setup"
description: "Enable developer mode with developermodeon, press F1, and run godmode, setstat and speedyrun. Plus the / admin commands and allowCheats in Server.cfg."
url: "https://www.gameserverkings.com/knowledge-base/the-forest/the-forest-console-commands/"
category: "The Forest"
category_url: "https://www.gameserverkings.com/knowledge-base/the-forest/"
published: "2026-08-01T17:31:03.813Z"
updated: "2026-08-07T20:33:34.944Z"
source_format: "markdown"
site: "GameServerKings"
---

# The Forest Console Commands: Full List and Setup

The Forest has two completely separate command systems, and most guides only describe one of them. The developer console you open with **F1** is a client-side cheat menu running on your own machine. The `/` commands you type into multiplayer chat are server administration, and they only work if you joined with the admin password. Knowing which is which saves a lot of time wondering why `godmode` did nothing on somebody else's server.

This page covers both: how to switch the console on, the commands worth knowing, and what a dedicated server actually permits.

> [!NOTE] This is The Forest, not Sons of the Forest
> The 2018 original and its sequel have different command sets and different config files. Nothing below applies to the sequel — see [Getting started with your Sons of the Forest server](/knowledge-base/sons-of-the-forest/getting-started-with-your-server/) for that one.

## Enabling the developer console

Three steps, in order. The second gives no feedback whatsoever, which is where nearly everyone gets stuck.

1. From the main menu open **Options** > **Gameplay** and set **Allow Cheats** to **On**.
2. Return to the main title screen and type `developermodeon`. There is no confirmation message, no sound, and nothing appears on screen.
3. Load into a game and press **F1**.

If a small text box appears in the top-left corner, it worked.

| Key | Does |
|---|---|
| `F1` | Toggle the console input box |
| `F2` | Toggle the console log and status output |
| `F3` | Toggle the player stats readout |
| Up / Down arrow | Cycle through previously entered commands |
| Enter | Run the command |

> [!IMPORTANT] If F1 does nothing, check your F Lock key
> On keyboards with an F Lock, the function row sends media keys instead of F1-F12 and the console never opens. This is the most common cause of "developer mode is not working" — toggle F Lock and try again.

`help` lists every command the build recognises, but the output goes to the log rather than the input box. Press `F2` to read it.

## Console commands vs server admin commands

These are not the same system and they do not overlap.

| | Developer console | Server admin commands |
|---|---|---|
| Opened with | `F1` | Enter, the normal chat key |
| Example | `godmode on` | `/help` |
| Who can use it | Any player, if the server permits | Only players who joined with the admin password |
| Runs on | Your own client | The server |
| Enabled by | `developermodeon` | `serverPasswordAdmin` in `Server.cfg` |

The practical consequence: **a dedicated server can switch the developer console off for everybody.** The `allowCheats` setting in `Server.cfg` controls whether clients may use the built-in debug console. When it is off, `developermodeon` appears to work — you get a console that simply refuses to cheat, with nothing telling you why.

Note also that `allowCheats off` only disables the built-in console. It has no effect on external cheat mods, so it is a convenience setting rather than an anti-grief measure.

This is the same client-versus-server split many survival games use: the in-game console is client-side and server administration is a separate privileged system.

## Game mode codes typed at the main menu

A third category, and genuinely different: these do **not** require developer mode. Type them straight at the main title screen.

| Code | Effect |
|---|---|
| `ironforest` | Buildings become indestructible |
| `veganmode` | Enemies appear only in caves |
| `vegetarianmode` | Enemies appear only at night |
| `regrowmode` | 10% of felled trees regrow while you sleep, if the stump remains |
| `woodpaste` | Resets holes cut by the hole cutter and crane |
| `meatmode` | Disables all cheats |

Type the same code again to switch it off. `ironforest` and `regrowmode` are also exposed in the in-game options menu, so you rarely need the codes for those two.

## Player and survival commands

| Command | Effect |
|---|---|
| `godmode on` / `off` | No damage, and stamina, fullness and energy stop draining |
| `survival on` / `off` | Removes the need to eat and drink |
| `energyhack on` / `off` | Unlimited energy and stamina |
| `itemhack on` / `off` | Items are never consumed, but you must already hold one |
| `invisible on` / `off` | Move underwater as though it were air, and pass through invisible map barriers |
| `speedyrun on` / `off` | Greatly increased run speed |
| `setstat full` | Restores every stat at once |
| `setstat Health 100` | Sets health, 0 to 100 |
| `setstat Stamina 100` | Sets stamina, 0 to 100 |
| `setstat Energy 100` | Sets energy, 0 to 100 |
| `setstat Fullness 100` | Sets fullness, 0 to 100 |
| `setstat BatteryCharge 100` | Sets flashlight battery charge, 0 to 100 |
| `setSkill ath 100` | Maxes athleticism, which caps at 99 |
| `setSkill runTime 100` | Maxes sprint duration |
| `setSkill lungTime 100` | Maxes underwater breath duration |
| `hitlocalplayer 50` | Deals the given damage to yourself, 0 to 100 |
| `killlocalplayer` | Kills you. In multiplayer you go into the downed state instead |
| `revivelocalplayer` | Revives a downed player |
| `poison` | Applies poison, which causes infection and needs aloe to cure |
| `revealcavemap` | Reveals the whole map, surface and caves |
| `save` | Saves wherever you are standing |

> [!WARNING] killmefast is permanent
> `killmefast` is a hard suicide that requires reloading the save. It is not the same as `killlocalplayer`, and there is no confirmation prompt.

## Items

| Command | Effect |
|---|---|
| `additem <id>` | Puts the item in your hands |
| `spawnitem <id>` | Drops the item into the world in front of you |
| `removeitem <id>` | Removes one of that item |
| `addallitems` | Adds every item except story items. Run twice to also fill storage bags |
| `addallstoryitems` | Adds story items such as keycards |
| `removeallitems` | Strips everything, including the plane axe |
| `spawnallpickups` | Spawns every pickup-able item |

`additem 77` gives you a live rabbit, which is the usual way people restock a rabbit cage. Press `F1`, run the command, press Enter, place the rabbit, then press `F1` and Up-arrow to repeat.

## Enemies and animals

| Command | Effect |
|---|---|
| `enemies on` / `off` | Toggles cannibals and mutants entirely |
| `killallenemies` | Kills all cannibals and mutants. They respawn |
| `killallworms` | Kills worms, which `killallenemies` does not touch |
| `killclosestenemy` | Kills the nearest enemy |
| `knockdownclosestenemy` | Knocks down the nearest cannibal. Often fails on mutants |
| `resetallenemies` | Resets enemy AI |
| `killendboss` | Kills the end boss |
| `astar on` / `off` | Toggles enemy pathfinding. With it off they walk into walls and water |
| `spawnmutant male` | Spawns a regular male cannibal |
| `spawnmutant male_skinny` | Spawns a skinny male cannibal |
| `spawnregularfamily` | Spawns 3-6 regular cannibals |
| `spawnpaintedfamily` | Spawns 3-6 painted cannibals |
| `spawnskinnedfamily` | Spawns 3-6 masked cannibals |
| `spawnskinnyfamily` | Spawns 2-3 skinny cannibals |
| `killallanimals` | Kills every animal |
| `animals on` / `off` | Toggles animal spawning |

Add a quantity to any spawn command with a `--` suffix: `spawnmutant male --6` spawns six. `spawnenemy` and `spawnmutant` usually do the same job, but occasionally one works where the other does not, so try both. In creative or peaceful games you must change both the game mode and the difficulty before enemies will spawn at all.

## World, time and weather

| Command | Effect |
|---|---|
| `forcerain sunny` | Clears the weather |
| `forcerain light` / `medium` / `heavy` | Sets rain intensity |
| `forcerain cloud` | Sets overcast |
| `lightingtimeofdayoverride noon` | Locks lighting to noon. Also accepts `morning`, `sunset`, `night`, `off` |
| `lightingtimeofdayoverride 10:00` | Locks lighting to a specific time |
| `setcurrentday 100` | Jumps the day counter |
| `advanceday` | Skips one day |
| `checkday` | Reports the current day and time |
| `gametimescale 2` | Speeds up the day cycle, hunger and thirst |
| `cutdowntrees 100%` | Fells trees, by count or percentage |
| `cutgrass 10` | Clears grass in a radius around you |
| `plantallgardens` | Plants every garden |
| `growalldirtpiles` | Refills camouflage dirt piles |
| `buildhack on` / `off` | Unlimited resources and instant building |
| `buildallghosts` | Completes every placed blueprint at once |
| `cancelallghosts` | Removes every placed blueprint |

> [!CAUTION] timescale can make a save unplayable
> `timescale` changes the speed of the entire simulation, not just the clock. High values cause physics problems that can persist after you set it back. Use `gametimescale` instead when you only want days to pass faster.

## Dedicated server admin commands

These are typed into multiplayer chat with the Enter key, not the F1 console, and only work for players who supplied a valid admin password when joining.

| Command | Effect |
|---|---|
| `/help` | Lists the available admin commands |
| `/save <1-5>` | Saves to the given slot. It will overwrite whatever is there |
| `/kick <steam id>` | Kicks a player |
| `/ban <steam id>` | Bans a player |
| `/shutdown` | Shuts the server down |
| `/treeregrowmode <on\|off>` | Toggles tree regrowth |
| `/allowbuildingdestruction <on\|off>` | Toggles building destruction |
| `/allowenemiescreative <on\|off>` | Toggles enemies in creative games |

> [!CAUTION] /restart deletes the save
> `/restart` restarts the server *and resets the save game*. It is not the command you want for a routine reboot — use your control panel's restart button, which leaves save data alone.

Notice what is missing: there is no admin command to spawn items, grant godmode, or teleport. Everything in the cheat tables above is client-side only. A server admin password gets you moderation and world-rule toggles, nothing more. If you want the cheat commands on a multiplayer world, the server has to have `allowCheats on` and each player runs them on their own client.

## Server.cfg settings worth knowing

The dedicated server reads `Server.cfg`. The `-configfilepath` command-line parameter points it elsewhere if you need that.

| Setting | Notes |
|---|---|
| `serverPasswordAdmin` | Enables the `/` commands above. Blank means nobody is an admin |
| `serverPassword` | Join password. Blank means public |
| `allowCheats on` / `off` | Whether clients may use the F1 console |
| `serverPlayers 8` | Maximum players, default 8 |
| `difficulty` | `Peaceful`, `Normal`, `Hard` or `HardSurvival` |
| `initType` | `New` or `Continue`. Left on `New`, the world resets every boot |
| `slot 1` | Save slot, 1 to 5 |
| `serverAutoSaveInterval 30` | Minutes between autosaves. Minimum 15 |
| `veganMode` / `vegetarianMode` | Server-side versions of the main-menu codes |
| `realisticPlayerDamage off` | Sharply increases player-versus-player damage |
| `targetFpsIdle 5` | Server frame rate with nobody connected |

> [!IMPORTANT] Read your ports off the panel, not off the defaults
> Endnight's stock values are `serverSteamPort 8766`, `serverGamePort 27015` and `serverQueryPort 27016`. A [hosted The Forest server](/games/the-forest/) is allocated its own game, query and Steam ports as a set, and the **Network** tab in the panel is the authoritative list. Typing the stock numbers into `Server.cfg` advertises ports that were never assigned to you, which is how a server ends up looking healthy in its own log while never appearing in the browser.

The query port is also the one players need in order to find you manually, and that trips people up because the process happens outside the game entirely.

> [!TIP] Add the server to Steam favourites using the query port
> The Forest servers are added through Steam rather than in-game: **Steam** > **View** > **Servers** > **Favorites** > **Add a Server**, using the query port rather than the game port.

## Commands that no longer work

Command lists for this game have been copied between sites for years, and several entries in circulation are dead.

- `fastrun` was renamed. Use `speedyrun on` / `off`.
- `rawmeatmode`, the permadeath mode that wiped your save on death, is no longer available in the current Steam build.
- `setdrawdistance` and `setshadowlevel` still exist but are pointless — both are ordinary graphics settings in the options menu.
- `toggleplayerstats` and `toggleoverlay` are just `F3` and `F2`.
- `setplayerbody`, `growgrass` and `sendmessageto` are no longer listed in the game and may or may not respond.

The developer console itself is a feature of the PC version. On console the main-menu game-mode codes can be entered with a keyboard attached, but the full `F1` command set is not available there.

## FAQ

### Why is developermodeon not working?

Two likely causes. Either **Allow Cheats** is still off in **Options** > **Gameplay**, or your keyboard's F Lock is intercepting `F1`. The command deliberately produces no feedback, so a silent result does not mean it failed — load a game and press `F1` to check.

### Do console commands work in multiplayer?

Only if the server has `allowCheats on`. When that is set, each player runs commands on their own client and effects that are purely local, such as `godmode`, apply only to them. When it is off, the console opens but commands do nothing.

### How do I become an admin on a dedicated server?

Set `serverPasswordAdmin` in `Server.cfg`, restart, and supply that password when joining. You then get the `/` chat commands. There is no in-game promotion command and no admin list file.

### Can I spawn items on a dedicated server as an admin?

No. Item spawning is a client-side console command, not an admin command. Being an admin gets you moderation and world-rule toggles only. To spawn items on a server, the server needs `allowCheats on` and you run `additem` from your own F1 console.

### Can console commands wipe my achievements?

Yes, and the command that does it sits in the same console as harmless ones like `save`. `resetstatsandachievements` clears all account stats and achievement progress with no confirmation prompt. The same family includes save-slot deletions such as `clearsaveslot sp 1`, which removes single-player slot 1 outright. Treat anything beginning `clear` or `reset` with suspicion. If you want a run with cheats provably switched off, use `meatmode`.

### Are these the same as Sons of the Forest commands?

No. The sequel has a different command set and a JSON config file rather than `Server.cfg`. See [the Sons of the Forest server guide](/knowledge-base/sons-of-the-forest/getting-started-with-your-server/).

---

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