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Controls and Options
Mouse/keyboard operate the game's pointer, verb interface and parser. Escape quits. Controllers are automatically detected and support reconnection:
| Action | Controller |
|---|---|
| Move pointer | Left stick |
| Left/right click | A / X |
| Guest arrow keys | D-pad |
| Enter / help | Start / Back |
| Snap within live hotspot | Y |
| Cycle live verb rows | LB / RB |
| Fast-forward toggle / hold | L3 / R3 |
| Dev menu | Back+Start on one controller |
Hotspot and verb helpers are gated on verified idle field state. Physical-controller validation remains separate from automated virtual-pad tests. Use --no-controller or controller=false to disable controller input.
The dev menu is ON in alpha.5. F12 or Back+Start opens it. --no-dev-menu or dev_menu=0 hides it; XANTH_CHEATS=0 hard-disables it. A lone Back/Start acts on release. The menu supports keyboard and controller navigation; Options provides fast-forward, screenshots, fullscreen and scanlines. F1–F10 and Backspace remain game inputs when the menu is closed. No cheats or quick save/load are offered.
Warps and Finish Current Step require checkpoints built and verified locally from your own data. Alpha.5’s builder lists 23 warp spots and 18 finish-step entries; published reference verification covers 8 warps and 7 steps. The newer entries require your own sweep. The first save after a warp warns that dev-menu use may differ from a normal playthrough.
Graphics/audio enhancements are opt-in: --pixel-perfect, --fit, --linear, --crt, per-channel --volume-*, --soundfont <your.sf2>, and hash-keyed --mods <directory> with separate font/graphics switches are documented. System FluidSynth and your own soundfont are required for that optional path; retail audio parity is unverified. See Enhancements for defaults and limits. Automatic controller detection and the preview menu are exceptions to an “everything off” description.
Sources checked 2026-10-07: README.md, docs/ENHANCEMENTS.md, docs/DEV_MENU.md, published v0.1.0-alpha.5 notes.