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Unlike other games the emphasis in NetHack is on discovering the detail of the dungeon and not simply killing everything in sight – in fact, killing everything in sight is a good way to die quickly.
NetHack is a very deep and very fun game but also very, very challenging

Instructions

Use the keyboard for everything.
Use shift+? for in game help
You can use the number pad or hjkl keys for movement.
NetHack is a big game so it will take some getting used to.

For a complete description of the game and every command see the NetHack Guidebook

A Quick guide

Actions

Key – Action
? – help, documentation
/ – what is? (ask definition for something on the screen)
o – open something, use #loot for boxes and chests
s – search for secret doors (they are everywhere)
, – pick up things
ctrl-d or ctrl-s – kick (break open locked doors)
d or D – drop something
e – eat something
< or > – climb stairs
i – see what you are carrying, inventory
w – wield a weapon
t – throw/shoot
r – read something
a – use or apply (key, bag, pick-axe, etc)
z – zap a magic wand
Z – cast a magical spell
: – look what is here
. – wait a moment

Legend

symbol meaning
@ you (or a human)
. floor
< stairs up to the previous level > stairs down to the next level
+ closed door; spellbook
$ pile of gold
^ trap
% food, corpse, something edible (not necessarily healthy)
? scroll