Navigating the grueling wilderness of Endnight Games' hit survival title requires resourcefulness, patience, and tactical planning. However, players looking to test game mechanics, bypass repetitive gathering, or simply explore without constant cannibal attacks can unlock developer tools. Learning how to turn on cheats in The Forest and use console commands opens up a whole new realm of creative freedom for solo survivors and server hosts alike.
Enabling Cheat Mode in the Game Options
Before entering any commands, you must ensure that your game settings allow administrative modifications. Open the options menu from the main title screen, select the gameplay tab, and set the toggle for cheats to the active position. Saving these preferences ensures that the engine accepts developer inputs during active gameplay sessions.
Without adjusting this setting first, typing commands into the menu or pressing shortcut keys will yield no results. This safety measure prevents accidental cheat activation during standard survival attempts. Once enabled, you are ready to initialize the command interface directly.
Activating the Developer Console on PC
To initialize developer access, return to the main menu screen after confirming your gameplay settings. Type developermodeon directly on your keyboard without opening any chat boxes or pressing enter. While no visual prompt or sound effect will confirm success, the game quietly registers the input in its system buffer.
Next, launch your saved world or start a fresh session to access the command line. Pressing the F1 key while in-game toggles the overlay where codes can be typed and executed. If the overlay fails to appear, double-check that your keyboard's function lock key is not blocking function inputs.
Essential Console Commands for Survival
Once the terminal is active, several versatile codes can instantly alter your survival environment. Typing godmode on grants full invincibility, locking health, stamina, hunger, and thirst levels completely. Players looking to construct massive fortresses without grinding for logs can activate buildhack on for unlimited resources.
If you prefer adjusting enemy behavior rather than eliminating survival mechanics entirely, specific codes offer fine-tuned control. Commands such as veganmode or vegetarianmode dictate whether cannibals appear on the surface or only inside dark cave networks. You can also use addallitems to restock your entire inventory instantly when preparing for dangerous cave expeditions.
Using Main Menu Codes and Server Settings
In addition to the F1 console, certain global modifiers can be entered directly at the main menu screen. Typing ironforest makes all player-built structures indestructible against enemy strikes, while regrowmode causes fallen trees to regenerate while sleeping. These main menu codes persist across sessions without needing re-entry every time you launch.
For multiplayer worlds, server administrators must ensure the server configuration file allows in-game console commands for all connected clients. Dedicated servers often disable cheats by default to preserve fair play among participants. Adjusting these administrative settings ensures everyone on the server can utilize developer features seamlessly.