Actions Index The actions (click magnifiers for details);   kinds of action;   commands A to Z;   tokens;   actions A to Z What are actions?  ; Creating new actions  ; Out of world actions (in red)

Standard actions concerning the actor's possessions
Taking inventory , Taking , Removing it from , Dropping , Putting it on , Inserting it into , Eating 

Standard actions which move the actor
Going , Entering , Exiting , Getting off 

Standard actions concerning the actor's vision
Looking , Examining , Looking under , Searching , Consulting it about 

Standard actions which change the state of things
Locking it with , Unlocking it with , Switching on , Switching off , Opening , Closing , Wearing , Taking off 

Standard actions concerning other people
Giving it to , Showing it to , Waking , Throwing it at , Attacking , Kissing , Answering it that , Telling it about , Asking it about , Asking it for 

Standard actions which are checked but then do nothing unless rules intervene
Waiting , Touching , Waving , Pulling , Pushing , Turning , Pushing it to , Squeezing 

Standard actions which always do nothing unless rules intervene
Saying yes , Saying no , Burning , Waking up , Thinking , Smelling , Listening to , Tasting , Cutting , Jumping , Tying it to , Drinking , Saying sorry , Swearing obscenely , Swearing mildly , Swinging , Rubbing , Setting it to , Waving hands , Buying , Singing , Climbing , Sleeping 

Standard actions which happen out of world
Quitting the game , Saving the game , Restoring the game , Restarting the game , Verifying the story file , Switching the story transcript on , Switching the story transcript off , Requesting the story file version , Requesting the score , Preferring abbreviated room descriptions , Preferring unabbreviated room descriptions , Preferring sometimes abbreviated room descriptions , Switching score notification on , Switching score notification off , Requesting the pronoun meanings 

Actions defined by the extension Simple Chat by Mark Tilford
Finding responses to   , Giving text for   , Giving link to   , Preparing   

Actions defined by the extension Locksmith by Emily Short
Unlocking keylessly   , Locking keylessly   , Universal unlocking   

Actions defined by the extension Adaptive Hints by Eric Eve
Asking for hints   , disabling hints   

Actions defined by the extension Basic Help Menu by Emily Short
Asking for help   

Actions defined by the extension Small Kindnesses by Aaron Reed
Retreating   , Overly elaborate looking   , Listing exits   , Using   

Actions defined by the extension Smarter Parser by Aaron Reed
Novice mode toggling   , Parser-debugging   

New actions defined in the source
Slapping  , Stabbing  , Looking up a spell  , Talking to  , Grinding  , Pumping  , Petting  , Casting xyzzy  , Dancing  , Acting silly  , Crying  , Birthing  , Cutting with  , Waving at  , Breathing  , Tossing  , Running  , Drawing the pentagram  , Growing the belladonna  , Growing the carrot  

Named kinds of action

No names have yet been defined. (Here's how:  )

Commands available to the player

"[direction]" - Going
"[thing]"  - Examining 

"about"  - Asking for help 
"abstract", a testing command not available in the final game
"acquire", same as "take" 
"act silly"  - Acting silly 
"actions", a testing command not available in the final game
"activate", same as "switch" 
"adjust", same as "set" 
"answer xyzzy"  - Casting xyzzy 
"answer [text] to [someone]" - Answering it that  (reversed)
"ask [someone] for [something]" - Asking it for 
"ask [someone] about [text]" - Asking it about 
"attach", same as "tie" 
"attack [something]" - Attacking 
"attack [something]"  - Attacking 
"attack in/into/down/through [something]"  - Attacking 
"attack [something] in/down"  - Attacking 
"awake", same as "wake" 
"awaken", same as "wake" 

"back"  - Retreating 
"bake", same as "burn" 
"be silly"  - Acting silly 
"blow [something]"  - Pumping 
"board", same as "enter" 
"break", same as "attack" 
"breath"  - Breathing 
"brief" - Preferring sometimes abbreviated room descriptions 
"bring", same as "take" 
"burn [something]" - Burning 
"buy [something]" - Buying 

"carry", same as "take" 
"carve", same as "cut" 
"cast xyzzy"  - Casting xyzzy 
"check", same as "examine" 
"chop", same as "cut" 
"clean", same as "rub" 
"clear", same as "push" 
"climb [a direction]"  - Going 
"climb [something]" - Climbing 
"climb on/onto/in/into [something enterable]"  - Entering 
"climb up/over [something]" - Climbing 
"climb on/in/into/onto [something]"  - Climbing 
"close [something]" - Closing 
"close up [something]" - Closing 
"close off [something]" - Switching off 
"comfort [something]"  - Petting 
"consult [something] on/about [text]" - Consulting it about 
"cover", same as "close" 
"crack", same as "attack" 
"cross", same as "enter" 
"cry"  - Crying 
"cut [something]" - Cutting 
"cut [something] loose"  - Cutting 
"cut [thing] with [thing]"  - Cutting with 

"dance"  - Dancing 
"deactivate", same as "switch" 
"deliver", same as "give" 
"depart", same as "exit" 
"describe", same as "examine" 
"destroy", same as "attack" 
"discard", same as "drop" 
"display", same as "show" 
"disrobe", same as "shed" 
"doff", same as "shed" 
"don", same as "wear" 
"drag", same as "pull" 
"draw [pentagram]"  - Drawing the pentagram 
"draw a [pentagram]"  - Drawing the pentagram 
"draw the [pentagram]"  - Drawing the pentagram 
"draw [pentagram] with sand"  - Drawing the pentagram 
"draw [pentagram] with sand"  - Drawing the pentagram 
"draw the [pentagram] with sand"  - Drawing the pentagram 
"draw [pentagram] with the sand"  - Drawing the pentagram 
"draw [pentagram] with the sand"  - Drawing the pentagram 
"draw the [pentagram] with the sand"  - Drawing the pentagram 
"drink [something]" - Drinking 
"drop [things preferably held]" - Dropping 
"drop [something preferably held] away"  - Dropping 
"drop away [something preferably held]"  - Dropping 
"drop [something preferably held] at/against [something]" - Throwing it at 
"drop [something preferably held] into/through/to [something]"  - Throwing it at 
"drop [other things] in/into/down [something]" - Inserting it into 
"drop [other things] on/onto [something]" - Putting it on 
"dust", same as "rub" 

"eat [something preferably held]" - Eating 
"embrace", same as "kiss" 
"enter" - Entering 
"enter [something]" - Entering 
"escape", same as "exit" 
"examine [something]" - Examining 
"examine [any player-enclosing room]"  - Overly elaborate looking 
"examine [any player-enclosing room]"  - Overly elaborate looking 
"exit" - Exiting 
"exit [a door]"  - Entering 
"exit [thing]"  - Getting off 
"exit through/using/by/out [a door]"  - Entering 
"exits"  - Listing exits 
"explore", same as "go" 

"fasten", same as "tie" 
"feed", same as "give" 
"feel", same as "touch" 
"fight", same as "attack" 
"fling", same as "drop" 
"flip [thing]"  - Tossing 

"get out/off/down/up" - Exiting 
"get in/on" - Entering 
"get [things]" - Taking 
"get in/into/on/onto [something]" - Entering 
"get off/down [something]" - Getting off 
"get out of [thing]"  - Getting off 
"get [things inside] from [something]" - Removing it from 
"give [someone] [something preferably held]" - Giving it to  (reversed)
"give [something preferably held] to [someone]" - Giving it to 
"glklist", a testing command not available in the final game
"go" - Going 
"go back"  - Retreating 
"go [direction]" - Going 
"go [something]" - Entering 
"go to [direction]"  - Going 
"go into/in/inside/through [something]" - Entering 
"gonear", a testing command not available in the final game
"grab", same as "take" 
"grind [something]"  - Grinding 

"hand", same as "give" 
"hear [something]" - Listening to 
"help"  - Asking for help 
"hint"  - Asking for hints 
"hint"  - Asking for help 
"hint off"  - disabling hints 
"hints"  - Asking for hints 
"hints"  - Asking for help 
"hints off"  - disabling hints 
"hit", same as "attack" 
"hold", same as "take" 
"hop", same as "jump" 
"hug", same as "kiss" 
"hurl", same as "drop" 

"i", same as "inventory" 
"ignite", same as "burn" 
"incinerate", same as "burn" 
"info"  - Asking for help 
"injure", same as "attack" 
"insert [other things] in/into [something]" - Inserting it into 
"inspect", same as "examine" 
"inv", same as "inventory" 
"inventory" - Taking inventory 

"jump" - Jumping 
"jump on/in/into/onto [something]"  - Entering 

"kick", same as "attack" 
"kill", same as "attack" 
"kindle", same as "burn" 
"kiss [someone]" - Kissing 

"l", same as "look" 
"leave", same as "exit" 
"lift", same as "pull" 
"light", same as "burn" 
"listen" - Listening to 
"listen [something]"  - Listening to 
"listen to [something]" - Listening to 
"lock [an unlocked lockable thing]"  - Locking keylessly 
"lock [a lockable thing]"  - Locking keylessly 
"lock [something]"  - Locking keylessly 
"lock [an unlocked lockable thing] with [something]"  - Locking it with 
"lock [a lockable thing] with [something]"  - Locking it with 
"lock [something] with [something]"  - Locking it with 
"long" - Preferring unabbreviated room descriptions 
"look" - Looking 
"look around/about"  - Looking 
"look [something]" - Examining 
"look [any player-enclosing room]"  - Overly elaborate looking 
"look at [something]" - Examining 
"look inside/in/into/through [something]" - Searching 
"look under [something]" - Looking under 
"look at/around/in/into [any player-enclosing room]"  - Overly elaborate looking 
"look at/around/in/into the/a/an/some [any player-enclosing room]"  - Overly elaborate looking 
"look up [text] in [something]" - Consulting it about  (reversed)
"look up [text]"  - Looking up a spell 
"lower", same as "push" 

"melt", same as "burn" 
"move", same as "push" 
"murder", same as "attack" 

"nap", same as "sleep" 
"no" - Saying no 
"normal" - Preferring sometimes abbreviated room descriptions 
"notify" - Switching score notification on 
"notify on" - Switching score notification on 
"notify off" - Switching score notification off 
"nouns" - Requesting the pronoun meanings 
"novice"  - Novice mode toggling 
"novice on"  - Novice mode toggling 
"novice off"  - Novice mode toggling 

"observe", same as "examine" 
"offer", same as "give" 
"ok"  - Saying yes 
"okay"  - Saying yes 
"open [something]"  - Opening 
"open [a locked lockable thing] with [something]"  - Unlocking it with 
"open [a lockable thing] with [something]"  - Unlocking it with 
"open [something] with [something]"  - Unlocking it with 
"out", same as "exit" 

"parser"  - Parser-debugging 
"parser on"  - Parser-debugging 
"parser off"  - Parser-debugging 
"pat [something]"  - Petting 
"pay", same as "give" 
"pet [something]"  - Petting 
"pick up [things]" - Taking 
"pick [things] up" - Taking 
"place", same as "put" 
"polish", same as "rub" 
"present", same as "show" 
"press", same as "push" 
"proceed", same as "go" 
"pronouns" - Requesting the pronoun meanings 
"prune", same as "cut" 
"pull [something]" - Pulling 
"pull back [something]"  - Pulling 
"pulverise [something]"  - Grinding 
"pulverize [something]"  - Grinding 
"pump [something]"  - Pumping 
"punch", same as "attack" 
"purchase", same as "buy" 
"purloin", a testing command not available in the final game
"push"  - Birthing 
"push [something]" - Pushing 
"push [something] [direction]" - Pushing it to 
"push [something] to [direction]" - Pushing it to 
"put on [something preferably held]" - Wearing 
"put [something preferably held] on" - Wearing 
"put down [things preferably held]" - Dropping 
"put [things preferably held] down" - Dropping 
"put [passkey] on [keychain]"  - Putting it on 
"put [other things] in/inside/into [something]" - Inserting it into 
"put [other things] on/onto [something]" - Putting it on 

"q" - Quitting the game 
"quit" - Quitting the game 

"raise", same as "pull" 
"random", a testing command not available in the final game
"read [something]" - Examining 
"read about [text] in [something]" - Consulting it about  (reversed)
"read [text] in [something]" - Consulting it about  (reversed)
"relations", a testing command not available in the final game
"remove [something preferably held]" - Taking off 
"remove [things inside] from [something]" - Removing it from 
"restart" - Restarting the game 
"restore" - Restoring the game 
"retreat"  - Retreating 
"return"  - Retreating 
"rotate", same as "turn" 
"rub [something]" - Rubbing 
"rules", a testing command not available in the final game
"run [direction]"  - Running 
"run [thing]"  - Running 

"sacrifice [something]"  - Attacking 
"save" - Saving the game 
"say", same as "answer" 
"scale", same as "climb" 
"scenes", a testing command not available in the final game
"scope", a testing command not available in the final game
"score" - Requesting the score 
"screw", same as "turn" 
"script" - Switching the story transcript on 
"script on" - Switching the story transcript on 
"script off" - Switching the story transcript off 
"scrub", same as "rub" 
"search [something]" - Searching 
"search [any player-enclosing room]"  - Overly elaborate looking 
"see", same as "look" 
"set [something] to [text]" - Setting it to 
"shed [something preferably held]" - Taking off 
"shift", same as "push" 
"shine", same as "rub" 
"short" - Preferring abbreviated room descriptions 
"shout", same as "answer" 
"shove", same as "put" 
"show [someone] [something preferably held]" - Showing it to  (reversed)
"show [something preferably held] to [someone]" - Showing it to 
"showheap", a testing command not available in the final game
"showme", a testing command not available in the final game
"showverb", a testing command not available in the final game
"shut", same as "close" 
"sing" - Singing 
"sip", same as "drink" 
"sit down"  - Entering 
"sit [something]"  - Entering 
"sit on/in/inside [something]" - Entering 
"sit down on/in [something]"  - Entering 
"sit on top of [something]" - Entering 
"skip", same as "jump" 
"slap [someone]"  - Slapping 
"slaughter [something]"  - Attacking 
"sleep" - Sleeping 
"slice", same as "cut" 
"smack", same as "attack" 
"smash", same as "attack" 
"smashing [something]"  - Attacking 
"smell" - Smelling 
"smell [something]" - Smelling 
"snatch", same as "take" 
"sniff", same as "smell" 
"sorry" - Saying sorry 
"speak", same as "answer" 
"spin", same as "turn" 
"squash", same as "squeeze" 
"squeeze [something]" - Squeezing 
"stab [something]"  - Stabbing 
"stand" - Exiting 
"stand up" - Exiting 
"stand on [something]" - Entering 
"start", same as "switch" 
"steal", same as "take" 
"stick", same as "put" 
"stop", same as "switch" 
"strike", same as "attack" 
"stuff", same as "put" 
"superbrief" - Preferring abbreviated room descriptions 
"swallow", same as "drink" 
"sweep", same as "rub" 
"swing [something]" - Swinging 
"swing on [something]" - Swinging 
"switch [something switched on]" - Switching off 
"switch [something]" - Switching on 
"switch on [something]" - Switching on 
"switch [something] on" - Switching on 
"switch [something] off" - Switching off 
"switch off [something]" - Switching off 

"take inventory" - Taking inventory 
"take [things]" - Taking 
"take off [something]" - Taking off 
"take [something] off" - Taking off 
"take [things inside] from [something]" - Removing it from 
"take [things inside] off [something]" - Removing it from 
"talk to [someone]"  - Talking to 
"taste [something]" - Tasting 
"tell [someone] about [text]" - Telling it about 
"test", a testing command not available in the final game
"think" - Thinking 
"throw", same as "drop" 
"thump", same as "attack" 
"tie [something] to [something]" - Tying it to 
"toast", same as "burn" 
"torture", same as "attack" 
"toss [thing]"  - Tossing 
"touch [something]" - Touching 
"trace", a testing command not available in the final game
"transcript" - Switching the story transcript on 
"transcript on" - Switching the story transcript on 
"transcript off" - Switching the story transcript off 
"tree", a testing command not available in the final game
"turn [something]" - Turning 
"turn [something] on" - Switching on 
"turn on [something]" - Switching on 
"turn [something] off" - Switching off 
"turn off [something]" - Switching off 
"twist", same as "turn" 

"uncover [something]"  - Opening 
"unlock [a locked lockable thing]"  - Unlocking keylessly 
"unlock [a lockable thing]"  - Unlocking keylessly 
"unlock [something]"  - Unlocking keylessly 
"unlock [a locked lockable thing] with [something]"  - Unlocking it with 
"unlock [a lockable thing] with [something]"  - Unlocking it with 
"unlock [something] with [something]"  - Unlocking it with 
"unlockall"  - Universal unlocking 
"unscrew", same as "turn" 
"unwrap [something]"  - Opening 
"use [a closed openable container]"  - Opening 
"use [an open openable container]"  - Closing 
"use [an enterable not occupied supporter]"  - Entering 
"use [an enterable not occupied container]"  - Entering 
"use [a switched off device]"  - Switching on 
"use [a closed door]"  - Opening 
"use [an open door]"  - Entering 
"use [an edible thing]"  - Eating 
"use [a wearable thing]"  - Wearing 
"use [something]"  - Using 
"use [something preferably held] on [a locked lockable thing]"  - Unlocking it with  (reversed)
"use [something preferably held] on [an unlocked lockable thing]"  - Locking it with  (reversed)

"verbose" - Preferring unabbreviated room descriptions 
"verify" - Verifying the story file 
"version" - Requesting the story file version 
"view", same as "examine" 

"wait" - Waiting 
"wake" - Waking up 
"wake up" - Waking up 
"wake [someone]" - Waking 
"wake [someone] up" - Waking 
"wake up [someone]" - Waking 
"walk", same as "go" 
"wander", same as "go" 
"watch", same as "examine" 
"wave" - Waving hands 
"wave [something]" - Waving 
"wave at [a person]"  - Waving at 
"wear [something preferably held]" - Wearing 
"weep"  - Crying 
"wipe", same as "rub" 
"wreck", same as "attack" 

"x", same as "examine" 
"xyzzy"  - Casting xyzzy 

"y", same as "yes" 
"yes" - Saying yes 

"z", same as "wait" 

Tokens which can be used in Understand

In addition to the tokens listed below, any description of an object or value can be used: for example, "[number]" matches text like 127 or SIX, and "[open door]" matches the name of any nearby door which is currently open.

Names of objects are normally understood only when they are within sight, but writing 'any' lifts this restriction. So "[any person]" allows every name of a person, wherever they happen to be.

"[anybody]"  - same as "[someone]"

"[anyone]"  - same as "[someone]"

"[anything]"  - same as "[thing]"

"[other things]" 

"[somebody]"  - same as "[someone]"

"[someone]" 

"[something]"  - same as "[thing]"

"[something preferably held]" 

"[text]" 

"[things]" 

"[things inside]" 

"[things preferably held]" 

"[a time period]"

"[pentagram]" 

= "pentagram" 

or "pentacle" 

Actions in alphabetical order