Console Commands & Cheats
Open the console, type a command, and press Enter. Using any of these in a save disables achievements. These are all built-in debug commands, not third-party cheats or hacks.
~ US QWERTY (default) ` Some layouts Shift + 2 UK QWERTY ALT + 2 1 Some laptop layouts Shift + 3 French AZERTY ^ German QWERTZ § Nordic layouts Shift + Alt + C Fallback if nothing else opens it Still nothing? See the troubleshooting FAQ below. Note: Stellaris: Console Edition (PlayStation/Xbox) has no debug console at all — this page is for the PC version only.
| Command | Description | Category |
|---|---|---|
research_all | Unlocks all currently researchable technologies | Research |
research_all_technologies | Unlocks every technology in the game, including ones not yet available to research normally | Research |
finish_research | Instantly completes the research currently in progress | Research |
instant_build | Toggles instant construction for buildings and ships | Construction |
resource [resource_id] [amount] | Adds the specified resource, e.g. resource energy 5000 | Resources |
add_trait_species [species_id] [trait_id] | Adds a trait to the specified species | Species |
population [amount] | Adds population to the currently selected planet | Population |
activate_ascension_perk [code] | Unlocks the specified ascension perk | Technology |
event [event_id] | Triggers the specified event; commonly used to test event chains | Events |
observe | Switches to observer mode — full map visibility, no control | Debug |
debugtooltip | Shows debug info (internal IDs for planets, pops, fleets, etc.) when you hover over UI elements — the single most useful command for finding the exact ID other commands need | Debug |
play [country_id] | Switches the empire under your control | Debug |
own [fleet_id] | Transfers ownership of the specified fleet to your empire | Debug |
control_ai [on/off] | Toggles AI control for the specified empire | Debug |
add_ship [ship_design_id] | Adds a ship of the specified design to the current fleet | Fleet |
planet_class [planet_class_id] | Changes the class of the currently selected planet | Planets |
surrender_ai | Forces an AI empire to surrender (useful for testing war resolution) | Debug |
system_initializer_add_random_system | Generates a random system at the edge of the galaxy | Galaxy |
tweakergui debugtooltip | Alternate form of debugtooltip on some game versions/builds — try this if the plain debugtooltip command doesn't respond | Debug |
run [filename] | Executes a batch of commands from a text file placed in your Stellaris user directory — useful for repeating the same setup across multiple test sessions | Debug |
Frequently Asked Questions
The console won't open — what key am I missing?
The default key is the one just above Tab and left of 1 (~ on a US QWERTY layout), but it moves around on other keyboard layouts: try ` (backtick), Shift+2, ALT+2+1, Shift+3, ^, §, or Shift+Alt+C depending on your keyboard region. If none of those work, check Steam's Controller/Keyboard settings for a rebind, and confirm you're on the PC version — Stellaris: Console Edition (PlayStation/Xbox) doesn't expose a debug console at all.
A command isn't doing anything when I press Enter — what's wrong?
The most common cause is a typo in an ID (species, planet, fleet, etc.) that the command needs. Use debugtooltip first to reveal the exact internal ID for whatever you're targeting, then retry the command with that exact ID. Also confirm you're not in observer mode when trying to run empire-specific commands, and that ironman/achievements mode isn't blocking console access in that save.
Will using console commands disable achievements?
Yes — using any console command in a save disables achievements for that save going forward, including in single-player. There's no way around this; it's how the game flags a save as no longer 'clean.' If you want achievements, don't open the console in that playthrough.
Can I use these commands in multiplayer?
Most of these are debug/singleplayer-oriented commands and either won't work or will visibly flag your session in multiplayer. Treat this list as a singleplayer/testing toolset, not a multiplayer trick list.