Tweak wording for minimap
[minetest_doc_basics.git] / init.lua
blob8c814e2839829420ccd917607550e15dbe2197ce
1 --[[
2 - TODO: Allow to disable images to save bandwidth
3 - TODO: Add API for subgame-specific changes so the entries are not too awfully generic
4 - Support for landing page
5 - Support to modify some parts of existing entries
6 - TODO: Add introduction to online play (if possible)
7 - TODO: Ideas for advanced entries:
8 - Sneak Glitch?
9 - Rendering (far view, etc.)
13 doc.new_category("basics",
15 name="Basics",
16 description = "Everything you need to know about Minetest to get started with playing",
17 sorting = "custom",
18 sorting_data = {"quick_start", "minetest", "controls", "point", "items", "inventory", "hotbar", "tools", "weapons", "blocks", "mine", "build", "craft", "cook", "minimap", "cam", "sneak", "players", "liquids", "light", "groups", "glossary"},
19 build_formspec = doc.entry_builders.text_and_gallery,
22 doc.new_category("advanced",
24 name = "Advanced usage",
25 description = "Advanced information about Minetest which may be nice to know, but is not crucial to gameplay",
26 sorting = "custom",
27 -- "creative" is supposed to be added by a mod which implements Creative Mode in order to explain it
28 sorting_data = {"console", "commands", "privs", "movement_modes", "coordinates", "settings", "creative", "online"},
29 build_formspec = doc.entry_builders.text_and_gallery,
32 doc.new_entry("basics", "quick_start", {
33 name = "Quick start",
34 data = { text =
35 [=[This is a very brief introduction to the basic gameplay:
37 • Move mouse to look
38 • [W], [A], [S] and [D] to move
39 • [Space] to jump or move upwards
40 • [Shift] to sneak or move downwards
41 • Mouse wheel or [0]-[9] to select item
42 • Left-click to mine blocks or attack
43 • Recover from swings to deal full damage
44 • Right-click to build blocks and use things
45 • [I] for the inventory
46 • First items in inventory appear in hotbar below
47 • [F9] for the minimap
48 • Put items into crafting grid (usually 3×3 grid) to craft
49 • Use a crafting guide mod to learn crafting recipes or visit <http://wiki.minetest.net/wiki/Crafting>
50 • Read entries in this Documentation System to learn the rest
51 • [Esc] to close this window]=]
52 }})
54 doc.new_entry("basics", "minetest", {
55 name="Minetest",
56 data = {
57 text =
58 [=[Minetest is a free software game engine to create various games based on voxel gameplay, inspired by InfiniMiner, Minecraft, and the like. Minetest was originally created by Perttu Ahola (alias “celeron55”).
60 The player is thrown into a huge world made out of cubes or blocks. These cubes usually make the landscape they blocks can be removed and placed almost entirely freely. Using the collected items, new tools and other items can be crafted. Games in Minetest (also called “subgames”) can, however, be much more complex than this.
62 A core feature of Minetest is the built-in modding capability. Mods modify existing gameplay. They can be as simple as adding a few decorational blocks or very complex by e.g. introducing completely new gameplay concepts, generating a completely different kind of world, and many other things.
64 Minetest can be played alone or online together with multiple players. When playing online, from the player perspective all mods will work out of the box with no need for additional tools as they are entirely provided by the server.
66 Minetest is usually bundled with a simple default game, named “Minetest Game” (shown in images 1 and 2). You probably already have it. Other games for Minetest can be downloaded from the official Minetest forums <https://forum.minetest.net/viewforum.php?f=48>.
68 Minetest as well as Minetest Game are both unfinished at the moment, so please forgive us when not everything works out perfectly.]=],
69 images = {{image="doc_basics_gameplay_mtg_1.png"}, {image="doc_basics_gameplay_mtg_2.png"}, {image="doc_basics_gameplay_carbone_ng.png"}, {image="doc_basics_gameplay_lott.png"}, {image="doc_basics_gameplay_pixture.png"}, {image="doc_basics_gameplay_outback.png"}, {image="doc_basics_gameplay_moontest.png"},
70 {image="doc_basics_gameplay_hades.png"}, {image="doc_basics_gameplay_xtraores_xtension.png"},}
71 }})
73 doc.new_entry("basics", "sneak", {
74 name="Sneaking",
75 data = { text =
76 [=[Sneaking is a special move. Sneaking makes you walk slower and prevents you from falling off the edge of a block.
77 To sneak, keep the sneak key (default: [Shift]) pressed. When you release it, stop sneaking. Careful: When you release the sneak key at a ledge, you might fall!
79 • Sneak: [Shift]
81 Sneaking only works when you stand on solid ground, are not in a liquid and don't climb.
83 If you jump while holding the sneak key, you also jump slightly higher than usual.
85 Sneaking might be disabled by mods. In this case, you still walk slower by sneaking, but you will no longer be stopped at ledges.]=],
86 images = { { image = "doc_basics_sneak.png" } },
87 }})
89 doc.new_entry("basics", "controls", {
90 name="Controls",
91 data = { text = [=[This entry lists all default controls in Minetest:
93 Basic movement:
94 • Moving the mouse around: Look around
95 • W: Move forwards
96 • A: Move to the left
97 • D: Move to the right
98 • S: Move backwards
100 While standing on solid ground:
101 • Space: Jump
102 • Shift: Sneak
104 While on a ladder, swimming in a liquid or fly mode is active
105 • Space: Move up
106 • Shift: Move down
108 Extended movement (requires privileges):
109 • J: Toggle fast mode, makes you run or fly fast (requires “fast” privilege)
110 • K: Toggle fly mode, makes you move freely in all directions (requires “fly” privilege)
111 • H: Toggle noclip mode, makes you go through walls in fly mode (requires “noclip” privilege)
112 • E: Walk fast in fast mode
114 World interaction:
115 • Left mouse button: Punch / mine blocks / take items
116 • Right mouse button: Build or use pointed block
117 • Shift+Right mouse button: Build
118 • Roll mouse wheel: Select next/previous item in hotbar
119 • 0-9: Select item in hotbar directly
120 • Q: Drop item stack
121 • Shift+Q: Drop 1 item
122 • I: Show/hide inventory menu
124 Inventory interaction:
125 See the entry “Basics > Inventory”.
127 Interface:
128 • Esc: Open menu window (pauses in single-player mode) or close window
129 • F1: Show/hide HUD
130 • F2: Show/hide chat
131 • F7: Toggle camera mode
132 • F8: Toggle cinematic mode
133 • F9: Toggle minimap, minimap mode and zoom
134 • Shift+F9: Toggle minimap shape
135 • F10: Open/close console/chat log
136 • F12: Take a screenshot
138 Server interaction:
139 • T: Open chat window (chat requires the “shout” privilege)
140 • /: Start issuing a server command
142 Technical:
143 • R: Toggle far view (disables all fog and allows viewing far away, can make game very slow)
144 • +: Increase minimal viewing distance
145 • -: Decrease minimal viewing distance
146 • F3: Enable/disable fog
147 • F5: Enable/disable debug screen which also shows your coordinates
148 • F6: Only useful for developers. Enables/disables profiler
149 • P: Only useful for developers. Writes current stack traces]=]
152 doc.new_entry("basics", "players", {
153 name="Players",
154 data = {
155 text =
156 [=[Players (actually: “player characters”) are the characters which users control.
158 Players are living beings which occupy a space of about 1×2×1 cubes. They start with 20 health points (HP) and 10 breath points (BP).
159 Players are capable of walking, sneaking, jumping, climbing, swimming, diving, mining, building, fighting and using tools and blocks.
161 Players can take damage for a variety of reasons, here are some:
162 • Taking fall damage
163 • Touching a block which causes direct damage
164 • Drowning
165 • Being attacked by another player
166 • Being attacked by a computer enemy
168 At a health of 0, the player dies. The player can just respawn in the world.
169 Other consequences of death depend on the subgame. The player could lose all items, or lose the round in a competitive game.
171 Some blocks reduce breath. While being with the head in a block which causes drowning, the breath points are reduced by 1 for every 2 seconds. When all breath is gone, the player starts to suffer drowning damage. Breath is quickly restored in any other block.
173 Damage can be disabled on any world. Without damage, players are immortal and health and breath are unimportant.
175 In multi-player mode, the name of other players is written above their head.]=],
176 images = {{image="doc_basics_players_sam.png"}, {image="doc_basics_players_lott.png"}, {image="doc_basics_players_flat.png"}},
179 doc.new_entry("basics", "items", {
180 name="Items",
181 data = {
182 text =
183 [=[Items are things you can carry along and store in inventories. They can be used for crafting, smelting, building, mining, and more. Types of items include blocks, tools, weapons and items only used for crafting.
185 An item stack is a collection of items of the same type which fits into a single item slot. Item stacks can be dropped on the ground. Items which drop into the same coordinates will form an item stack.
187 Items have several properties, including the following:
189 • Maximum stack size: Number of items which fit on 1 item stack
190 • Pointing range: How close things must be to be pointed while wielding this item
191 • Group memberships: See “Basics > Groups”
192 • May be used for crafting or cooking
194 A dropped item stack can be collected by punching it.]=],
195 images = {{image="doc_basics_inventory_detail.png"}, {image="doc_basics_items_dropped.png"}},
198 doc.new_entry("basics", "tools", {
199 name="Tools",
200 data = { text =
201 [=[Some items may serve as a tool when wielded. Any item which has some special use which can be directly used by its wielder is considered a tool.
203 A common tool in Minetest are, of course, mining tools. These are important to break all kinds of blocks. Weapons are a kind of tool in Minetest. There are of course many other possible tools. Special actions of tools are usually done by left-click or right-click.
205 When nothing is wielded, players use their hand which may act as tool and weapon. The hand is capable of collecting dropped items by punching.
207 Many tools will wear off when using them and may eventually get destroyed. The damage is displayed in a damage bar below the tool icon. If no damage bar is shown, the tool is in mint condition. Tools may be repairable by crafting, see “Basics > Crafting”.]=],
208 images = {{image="doc_basics_tools.png"}, {image="doc_basics_tools_mining.png"}},
211 doc.new_entry("basics", "weapons", {
212 name="Weapons",
213 data = { text =
214 [=[Some items are usable as a melee weapon when wielded. Weapons share most of the properties of tools.
216 Melee weapons deal damage by punching players and other animate objects. There are two ways to attack:
217 • Single punch: Left-click once to deal a single punch
218 • Quick punching: Hold down the left mouse button to deal quick repeated punches
220 There are two core attributes of melee weapons:
221 • Maximum damage: Damage which is dealt after a hit when the weapon was fully recovered
222 • Full punch interval: Time it takes for fully recovering from a punch
224 A weapon only deals full damage when it has fully recovered from a previous punch. Otherwise, the weapon will deal only reduced damage. This means, quick punching is very fast, but also deals rather low damage. Note the full punch inverval does not limit how fast you can attack.
226 There is a rule which sometimes makes attacks impossible: Players, animate objects and weapons belong to damage groups. A weapon only deals damage to those who share at least one damage group with it. So if you're using the wrong weapon, you might not deal any damage at all.]=]
230 doc.new_entry("basics", "point", {
231 name="Pointing",
232 data = {
233 text =
234 [=[“Pointing” means looking at something in range with the crosshair. Pointing is needed for interaction, like mining, punching, using, etc. Pointable things include blocks, dropped items, players, computer enemies and objects.
236 To point something, it must be in the pointing range (also just called “range”) of your wielded item. There's a default range when you are not wielding anything. A pointed thing will be outlined or highlighted (depending on your settings). Pointing is not possible with the 3rd person front camera.
238 A few things can not be pointed. Most blocks are pointable. A few blocks, like air, can never be pointed. Other blocks, like liquids can only be pointed by special items.]=],
239 images = {{ image = "doc_basics_pointing.png" }},
242 doc.new_entry("basics", "cam", {
243 name="Camera",
244 data = {
245 text =
246 [=[Minetest has 3 different views which determine the way you see the world. The modes are:
248 • 1: First-person view (default)
249 • 2: Third-person view from behind
250 • 3: Third-person view from the front
252 You can change the camera mode by pressing [F7].
254 There is also Cinematic Mode which can be toggled with [F8]. With Cinematic Mode enabled, the camera movements become more smooth. Some players don't like it, it is a matter of taste.
256 • Switch camera mode: [F7]
257 • Toggle Cinematic Mode: [F8]]=],
258 images = {{image="doc_basics_camera_ego.png"}, {image="doc_basics_camera_behind.png"}, {image="doc_basics_camera_front.png"}}
261 doc.new_entry("basics", "blocks", {
262 name="Blocks",
263 data = {
264 text =
265 [=[The world of Minetest is made entirely out of blocks (voxels, to be precise). Blocks can be added or removed with the correct tools.
267 Blocks can have a wide range of different properties which determine mining times, behavior, looks, shape, and much more. Their properties include:
269 • Collidable: Collidable blocks can not be passed through; players can walk on them. Non-collidable blocks can be passed through freely
270 • Pointable: Pointable blocks show a wireframe or a halo box when pointed. But you will just point through non-pointable blocks as if they were not there. Liquids are usually non-pointable but they can be pointed at by some special tools
271 • Mining properties: Mining properties determine by which tools a block can be mined (if at all) and how fast
272 • Climbable: While you are at a climbable block, you won't fall and you can move up and down with the jump and sneak keys
273 • Drowning damage: See the entry “Basics > Player”
274 • Liquids: See the entry “Basics > Liquids”
275 • Group memberships: Group memberships are used to determine mining properties, crafting, interactions between blocks and more]=],
278 doc.new_entry("basics", "mine", {
279 name = "Mining",
280 data = {
281 text =
282 [=[Mining (or digging) is the process of breaking blocks to remove them. To mine a block, point it and hold down the left mouse button until it breaks.
284 Some blocks can not be mined, and some blocks can always be mined. Usually, blocks require a certain type of mining tool to be mined. When in doubt, just try out different mining tools on a block and see what happens.
286 Mineable blocks have mining properties (based on groups) and a mining level. Mining tools have the same properties. Each mining property of a block also has a rating, while tools can be able to break blocks within a range of mining ratings.
288 In order to mine a block at all, these conditions need to be met:
289 • The block and tool share at least one mining property for which the have a matching mining rating
290 • The tool's mining level is equal or less than the block's mining level.
292 The time it takes to mine a block depends on the mining ratings and the mining level. Mining usually wears off tools. Mining blocks with a higher mining level will wear out your tools faster.
294 Example: A block with the mining property “cracky”, rating 3 and level 0 can only be broken by a tool which is able to break “cracky” blocks at rating 3 and it must have a mining level of 0 or larger.
296 After mining, a block will leave a “drop” behind. This is a number of items you get after mining. The following drop types are possible:
297 • Always drops itself (most common)
298 • Always drops the same items
299 • Drops items based on probability
300 • Drops nothing]=],
301 images = {{image="doc_basics_tools_mining.png"}},
304 doc.new_entry("basics", "build", {
305 name = "Building",
306 data = {
307 text =
308 [=[Almost all blocks can be built (or placed). Building is very simple and has no delay.
310 To build your wielded block, point at a block in the world and right-click. If this is not possible because the pointed block has a special right-click action, hold down the sneak key before right-clicking.
312 Blocks can almost always be built at pointable blocks. One exception are blocks attached to the floor; these can only be built on the floor.
314 Normally, blocks are built in front of the pointed side of the pointed block. A few blocks are different: When you try to build at them, they are replaced.]=],
315 images = {{image="doc_basics_build.png"}},
320 doc.new_entry("basics", "liquids", {
321 name = "Liquids",
322 data = {
323 text =
324 [=[Liquids are special dynamic blocks. Liquids like to spread and flow to their surrounding blocks. Players can swim and drown in them.
326 Liquids usually come in two forms: In source form (S) and in flowing form (F).
327 Liquid sources have the shape of a full cube. A liquid source will generate flowing liquids around it from time to time, and, if the liquid is renewable, it also generates liquid sources. A liquid source can sustain itself. A long it is left alone, a liquid source will normally keep its place and does not drain out.
328 Flowing liquids take a sloped form. Flowing liquids spread around the world until they drain. A flowing liquid can not sustain itself and always comes from a liquid source, either directly or indirectly. Without a liquid source, a flowing liquid will eventually drain out and disappear.
330 All liquids share the following properties:
331 • All properties of blocks (including drowning damage)
332 • Renewability: Renewable liquids can create new sources
333 • Flowing range: How many flowing liquids are created at maximum per liquid source, it determines how far the liquid will spread. Possible are ranges from 0 to 8. At 0, no flowing liquids will be created. Image 5 shows a liquid of flowing range 2
334 • Viscosity: How slow players move through it and how slow the liquid spreads
336 Renewable liquids create new liquid sources at open spaces (image 2). A new liquid source is created when:
337 • Two renewable liquid blocks of the same type touch each other diagonally
338 • These blocks are also on the same height
339 • One of the two “corners” is open space which allows liquids to flow in
341 When those criteria are met, the open space is filled with a new liquid source of the same type (image 3).
343 Swimming in a liquid is fairly straightforward: The usual direction keys for basic movement, the jump key for rising and the sneak key for sinking.
345 The physics for swimming and diving in a liquid are:
346 • The higher the viscosity, the slower you move
347 • If you rest, you'll slowly sink
348 • There is no fall damage for falling into a liquid as such
349 • If you fall into a liquid, you will be slowed down on impact (but don't stop instantly). Your impact depth is determined by your speed and the liquid viscosity. For a safe high drop into a liquid, make sure there is enough liquid above the ground, otherwise you might hit the ground and take fall damage
351 Liquids are often not pointable. But some special items are able to point all liquids.]=],
352 images = {
353 { image="doc_basics_liquids_types.png",
354 caption="A source liquid and its flowing liquids" },
355 { image="doc_basics_liquids_renewable_1.png",
356 caption="Renewable liquids need to be arranged like this to create a new source block" },
357 { image="doc_basics_liquids_renewable_2.png",
358 caption="A new liquid source is born" },
359 { image="doc_basics_liquids_nonrenewable.png",
360 caption="Non-renewable liquids creates a flowing liquid (F) instead" },
361 { image="doc_basics_liquids_range.png",
362 caption="Liquid with a flowing range of 2" },
367 doc.new_entry("basics", "craft", {
368 name = "Crafting",
369 data = {
370 text =
371 [=[Crafting is the task of combining several items to form a new item.
373 To craft something, you need one or more items, a crafting grid (C) and a crafting recipe. A crafting grid is like a normal inventory which can also be used for crafting. Items need to be put in a certain pattern into the crafting grid. Next to the crafting grid is an output slot (O). Here the result will appear when you placed items correctly. This is just a preview, not the actual item. Crafting grids can come in different sizes which limits the possible recipes you can craft.
375 To complete the craft, take the result item from the output slot, which will consume items from the crafting grid and creates a new item. It is not possible to place items into the output slot.
377 A description on how to craft an item is called a “crafting recipe”. You need this knowledge to craft. There are multiple ways to learn crafting recipes. One way is by using a crafting guide, which contains a list of available crafting recipes. Some subgames provide crafting guides. There are also some mods which you can download online for installing a crafting guide. Another way is by reading the online manual of the subgame (if one is available).
379 Crafting recipes consist of at least one input item and exactly one stack of output items. When performing a single craft, it will consume exactly one item from each stack of the crafting grid, unless the crafting recipe defines replacements.
381 There are multiple types of crafting recipes:
383 • Shaped (image 2): Items need to be placed in a particular shape
384 • Shapeless (images 3 and 4): Items need to be placed somewhere in input (both images show the same recipe)
385 • Cooking: Explained in “Basics > Cooking”
386 • Repairing (image 5): Place two damaged tools into the crafting grid anywhere to get a tool which is repaired by a certain percentage. This recipe may not be available in all subgames
388 In some crafting recipes, some input items do not need to be a concrete item, instead they need to be a member of a group (see “Basics > Groups”). These recipes offer a bit more freedom in the input items. Images 6-8 show the same group-based recipe. Here, 8 items of the “stone” group are required, which is true for all of the shown items.
390 Rarely, crafting recipes have replacements. This means, whenever you perform a craft, some items in the crafting grid will not be consumed, but instead will be replaced by another item.]=],
391 images = {
392 {image="doc_basics_craft_grid.png"}, {image="doc_basics_craft_shaped.png"},
393 {image="doc_basics_craft_shapeless_1.png"}, {image="doc_basics_craft_shapeless_2.png"}, {image="doc_basics_craft_repair.png"},
394 {image="doc_basics_craft_groups_1.png"}, {image="doc_basics_craft_groups_2.png"}, {image="doc_basics_craft_groups_3.png"},
398 doc.new_entry("basics", "cook", {
399 name = "Cooking",
400 data = {
401 text =
402 [=[Cooking (or smelting) is a form of crafting which does not involve a crafting grid. Cooking is done with a special block (like a furnace), an cookable item, a fuel item and time in order to yield a new item.
404 Each fuel item has a burning time. This is the time a single item of the fuel keeps a furnace burning.
406 Each cookable item requires time to be cooked. This time is specific to the item type and the item must be “on fire” for the whole cooking time to actually yield the result.]=]}})
408 doc.new_entry("basics", "hotbar", {
409 name="Hotbar",
410 data = {
411 text =
412 [=[At the bottom of the screen you see some squares. This is called the “hotbar”. The hotbar allows you to quickly access the first items from your player inventory.
413 You can change the selected item with the mouse wheel or the number keys.
415 • Select previous item in hotbar: [Mouse wheel up]
416 • Select next item in hotbar: [Mouse wheel down]
417 • Select item in hotbar directly: [0]-[9]
419 The selected item is also your wielded item.]=],
420 images = {{image="doc_basics_hotbar.png"}, {image="doc_basics_hotbar_relations.png"}},
423 doc.new_entry("basics", "minimap", {
424 name="Minimap",
425 data = {
426 text =
427 [=[Press [F9] to make a minimap appear on the top right. The minimap helps you to find your way around the world. Press it again to toggle through different minimap modes and zoom levels. The minimap also shows the positions of other players.
429 There are 2 minimap modes and 3 zoom levels.
431 Surface mode (image 1) is a top-down view of the world, roughly resembling the colors of the blocks this world is made of. It only shows the topmost blocks, everything below is hidden, like a satellite photo. Surface mode is useful if you got lost.
433 Radar mode (image 2) is more complicated. It displays the “denseness” of the area around you and changes with your height. Roughly, the more green an area is, the less "dense" it is. Black areas have many blocks. Use the radar to find caverns, hidden areas, walls and more. The rectangular shapes in image 2 clearly expose the position of a dungeon.
435 There are also two different rotation modes. In “square mode”, the rotation of the minimap is fixed. If you press [Shift]+[F9] to switch to “circle mode”, the minimap will instead rotate with your looking direction, so “up” is always your looking direction.
437 In some subgames, the minimap may be disabled.
439 • Toggle minimap mode: [F9]
440 • Toggle minimap rotation mode: [Shift]+[F9]]=],
441 images = {{image="doc_basics_minimap_map.png"}, {image="doc_basics_minimap_radar.png"}, {image="doc_basics_minimap_round.png"}},
444 doc.new_entry("basics", "inventory", {
445 name="Inventory",
446 data = {
447 text =
448 [=[Inventories are used to store item stacks. There are other uses, such as crafting. An inventory consists of a rectangular grid of item slots. Each item slot can either be empty or hold one item stack. Item stacks can be moved freely between most slots.
449 You have your own inventory which is called your “player inventory”, you can open it with the inventory key (default: [I]). The first inventory slots are also used as slots in your hotbar.
450 Blocks can also have their own inventory, for example, things like chests and furnaces.
452 Inventory controls:
454 Taking: You can take items from an occupied slot if the cursor holds nothing.
455 • Left click: take entire item stack
456 • Right click: take half from the item stack (rounded up)
457 • Middle click: take 10 items from the item stack
459 Putting: You can put items onto a slot if the cursor holds 1 or more items and the slot is either empty or contains an item stack of the same item type.
460 • Left click: put entire item stack
461 • Right click: put 1 item of the item stack
462 • Middle click: put 10 items of the item stack
464 Exchanging: You can exchange items if the cursor holds 1 or more items and the destination slot is occupied by a different item type.
465 • Click: exchange item stacks
467 Throwing away: If you hold an item stack and click with it somewhere outside the menu, the item stack gets thrown away into the environment.
469 Quick transfer: You can quickly transfer an item stack to/from the player inventory to/from another item's inventory slot like a furnace, chest, or any other item with an inventory slot when that item's inventory is accessed. The target inventory is generally the most relevant inventory in this context.
470 • Sneak+Left click: Automatically transfer item stack]=],
471 images = {{image="doc_basics_inventory.png"}}
474 doc.new_entry("advanced", "online", {
475 name="Online help",
476 data = { text=
477 [=[You may want to check out these online resources related to Minetest:
479 Official homepage of Minetest: <http://minetest.net/>
480 The main place to find the most recent version of Minetest.
482 Community wiki: <http://wiki.minetest.net/>
483 A community-based documentation website for Minetest. Anyone with an account can edit it! It also features a documentation of Minetest Game.
485 Web forums: <http://forums.minetest.net/>
486 A web-based discussion platform where you can discuss everything related to Minetest. This is also a place where player-made mods and subgames are published and discussed. The discussions are mainly in English, but there is also space for discussion in other languages.
488 Chat: <irc://irc.freenode.net#minetest>
489 A generic Internet Relay Chat channel for everything related to Minetest where people can meet to discuss in real-time. If you do not understand IRC, see the Community Wiki for help.]=]
492 doc.new_entry("basics", "groups", {
493 name="Groups",
494 data = {
495 text =
496 [=[Items, players and objects (animate and inanimate) can be members of any number of groups. Groups serve multiple purposes:
498 • Crafting recipes: Slots in a crafting recipe may not require a specific item, but instead an item which is a member of a particular group, or multiple groups
499 • Digging times: Diggable blocks belong to groups which are used to determine digging times. Mining tools are capable of digging blocks belonging to certain groups
500 • Block behavior: Blocks may show a special behaviour and interact with other blocks when they belong to a particular group
501 • Damage and armor: Objects and players have armor groups, weapons have damage groups. These groups determine damage. See also: “Basics > Weapons”
502 • Other uses
504 In the item help, many important groups are usually mentioned and explained.]=]}})
506 doc.new_entry("basics", "glossary", {
507 name = "Glossary",
508 data = {
509 text =
510 [=[This is a list of commonly used terms in Minetest:
512 Controls:
513 • Wielding: Holding an item in hand
514 • Pointing: Looking with the crosshair at something in range
515 • Dropping: Throwing an item or item stack to the ground
516 • Punching: Attacking with left-click, is also used on blocks
517 • Sneaking: Walking slowly while (usually) avoiding to fall over edges
518 • Climbing: Moving up or down a climbable block
520 Blocks:
521 • Block: Cubes that the worlds are made out of
522 • Mining/digging: Using a mining tool to break a block
523 • Building/placing: Putting a block somewhere
524 • Drop: Items you get after mining a block
525 • Using a block: Right-clicking a block to access its special function
527 Items:
528 • Item: A single thing that players can possess
529 • Item stack: A collection of items of the same kind
530 • Maximum stack size: Maximum amount of items in an item stack
531 • Slot / inventory slot: Can hold one item stack
532 • Inventory: Provides several inventory slots for storage
533 • Player inventory: The main inventory of a player
534 • Tool: An item which you can use to do special things with when wielding
535 • Range: How far away things can be to be pointed by an item
536 • Mining tool: A tool which allows to break blocks
537 • Craftitem: An item which is (primarily or only) used for crafting
539 Gameplay:
540 • “heart”: A single health symbol, indicates 2 HP
541 • “bubble”: A single breath symbol, indicates 1 BP
542 • HP: Hit point (equals half 1 “heart”)
543 • BP: Breath point, indicates breath when diving
544 • Mob: Computer-controlled enemy
545 • Crafting: Combining multiple items to create new ones
546 • Crafting guide: A helper which shows available crafting recipes
547 • Spawning: Appearing in the world
548 • Respawning: Appearing again in the world after death
549 • Group: Puts similar things together, often affects gameplay
550 • noclip: Allows to fly through walls
552 Interface
553 • Hotbar: Inventory slots at the bottom
554 • Statbar: Indicator made out of half-symbols, used for health and breath
555 • Minimap: The map or radar at the top right
556 • Crosshair: Seen in the middle, used to point at things
558 Online multiplayer:
559 • PvP: Player vs Player. If active, players can deal damage to each other
560 • Griefing: Destroying the buildings of other players against their will
561 • Protection: Mechanism to own areas of the world, which only allows the owners to modify blocks inside
563 Technical terms:
564 • Minetest: This game engine
565 • Minetest Game: A subgame for Minetest from the Minetest developers
566 • Subgame: A complete playing experience to be used in Minetest; such as a game or sandbox or similar
567 • Mod: A single subsystem which adds or modifies functionality; is the basic building block of subgames and can be used to further enhance or modify them
568 • Privilege: Allows a player to do something
569 • Node: Other word for “block”
570 ]=]}})
572 doc.new_entry("advanced", "settings", {
573 name="Settings",
574 data = {
575 text =
576 [=[There is a large variety of settings to configure Minetest. Pretty much every aspect can be changed that way.
578 These are a few of the most important gameplay settings:
580 • Damage enabled (enable_damage): Enables the health and breath attributes for all players. If disabled, players are immortal
581 • Creative Mode (creative_mode): Enables sandbox-style gameplay focusing on creativity rather than a challenging gameplay. The meaning depends on the subgame; usual changes are: Reduced dig times, easy access to almost all items, tools never wear off, etc.
582 • PvP (enable_pvp): Short for “Player vs Player”. If enabled, players can deal damage to each other
584 For a full list of all available settings, use the “Advanced settings” dialog in the main menu.]=]
587 doc.new_entry("advanced", "movement_modes", {
588 name = "Movement modes",
589 data = { text =
590 [=[If you have the required privileges, you can use up to three special movement modes. Using these may be considered cheating.
592 Fast mode:
593 • Description: Allows you to move much faster. Hold down the the “Use” key [E] to move faster. In the client configuration, you can further customize fast mode.
594 • Default key: [J]
595 • Required privilege: fast
597 Fly mode:
598 • Description: Gravity doesn't affect you and you can move freely in all directions. Use the jump key to rise and the sneak key to sink.
599 • Default key: [K]
600 • Required privilege: fly
602 Noclip mode:
603 • Description: Allows you to move through walls. Only works when fly mode is enabled, too.
604 • Default key: [H]
605 • Required privilege: noclip]=]
608 doc.new_entry("advanced", "console", {
609 name = "Console",
610 data = { text =
611 [=[With [F10] you can open and close the console. The main use of the console is to show the chat log and enter chat messages or server commands.
612 Using the chat or server command key also opens the console, but it is smaller and will be closed after you sent a message.
614 Use the chat to communicate with other players. This requires you to have the “shout” privilege.
615 Just type in the message and hit [Enter]. Public chat messages can not begin with “/”.
617 You can send private messages: Say “/msg <player> <message>” in chat to send “<message>” which can only be seend by <player>.
619 There are some special controls for the console:
621 • [F10] Open/close console
622 • [Enter]: Send message or command
623 • [Tab]: Try to auto-complete a partially-entered player name
624 • [Ctrl]+[Left]: Move cursor to the beginning of the previous word
625 • [Ctrl]+[Right]: Move cursor to the beginning of the next word
626 • [Ctrl]+[Backspace]: Delete previous word
627 • [Ctrl]+[Delete]: Delete next word
628 • [Ctrl]+[U]: Delete all text before the cursor
629 • [Ctrl]+[K]: Delete all text after the cursor
630 • [Page up]: Scroll up
631 • [Page down]: Scroll down
633 There is also an input history. Minetest saves your previous console inputs which you can quickly access later:
635 • [Up]: Go to previous entry in history
636 • [Down]: Go to next entry in history]=]
639 doc.new_entry("advanced", "commands", {
640 name="Server commands",
641 data = { text =
642 [=[Server commands (also called “chat commands”) are little helpers for advanced users. You don't need to use these commands when playing. But they might come in handy to perform some more technical tasks. Server commands work both in multi-player and single-player mode.
644 Server commands can be entered by players using the chat to perform a special server action. There are a few commands which can be issued by everyone, but some commands only work if you have certain privileges granted on the server. There is a small set of basic commands which are always available, other commands can be added by mods.
646 To issue a command, simply type it like a chat message or press Minetest's command key (default: [/]). All commands have to begin with “/”, for example “/mods”. The Minetest command key does the same as the chat key, except that the slash is already entered.
647 Commands may or may not give a response in the chat log, but errors will generally be shown in the chat. Try it for yourselves: Close this window and type in the “/mods” command. This will give you the list of available mods on this server.
649 “/help all” is a very important command: You get a list of all available commands on the server, a short explanation and the allowed parameters. This command is also important because the available commands often differ per server.
651 Commands are followed by zero or more parameters.
653 In the command reference, you see some placeholders which you need to replace with an actual value. Here's an explanation:
655 • Text in greater-than and lower-than signs (e.g. “<param>”): Placeholder for a parameter
656 • Anything in square brackets (e.g. “[text]”) is optional and can be omitted
657 • Pipe or slash (e.g. “text1 | text2 | text3”): Alternation. One of multiple texts must be used (e.g. “text2”)
658 • Parenthesis: (e.g. “(word1 word2) | word3”): Groups multiple words together, used for alternations
659 • Everything else is to be read as literal text
661 Here are some examples to illustrate the command syntax:
663 • /mods: No parameters. Just enter “/mods”
664 • /me <action>: 1 parameter. You have to enter “/me ” followed by any text, e.g. “/me orders pizza”
665 • /give <name> <ItemString>: Two parameters. Example: “/give Player default:apple”
666 • /help [all|privs|<cmd>]: Valid inputs are “/help”, “/help all”, “/help privs”, or “/help ” followed by a command name, like “/help time”
667 • /spawnentity <EntityName> [<X>,<Y>,<Z>]: Valid inputs include “/spawnentity boats:boat” and “/spawnentity boats:boat 0,0,0”
671 Some final remarks:
673 • For /give and /giveme, you need an itemstring. This is an internally used unique item identifier which you may find in the item help if you have the “give” or “debug” privilege
674 • For /spawnentity you need an entity name, which is another identifier]=]
677 doc.new_entry("advanced", "privs", {
678 name="Privileges",
679 data= { text =
680 [=[Each player has a set of privileges, which differs from server to server. Your privileges determine what you can and can't do. Privileges can be granted and revoked from other players by any player who has the privilege called “privs”.
682 On a multiplayer server with the default configuration, new players start with the privileges called “interact” and “shout”. The “interact” privilege is required for the most basic gameplay actions such as building, mining, using, etc. The “shout” privilege allows to chat.
684 There is a small set of core privileges which you'll find on every server, other privileges might be added by mods.
686 To view your own privileges, issue the server command “/privs”.
688 Here are a few basic privilege-related commands:
690 • /privs: Lists your privileges
691 • /privs <player>: Lists the privileges of <player>
692 • /help privs: Shows a list and description about all privileges
694 Players with the “privs” privilege can modify privileges at will:
696 • /grant <player> <privilege>: Grant <privilege> to <player>
697 • /revoke <player> <privilege>: Revoke <privilege> from <player>
699 In single-player mode, you can use “/grant singleplayer all” to unlock all abilities (which is often considered cheating).]=]
702 doc.new_entry("basics", "light", {
703 name = "Light",
704 data = { text =
705 [=[As the world is entirely block-based, so is the light in the world. Each block has its own brightness. The brightness of a block is expressed in a “light level” which ranges from 0 (total darkness) to 15 (as bright as the sun).
707 There are two types of light: Sunlight and artificial light.
709 Artificial light is emitted by luminous blocks. Artificial light has a light level from 1-14.
710 Sunlight is the brightest light and always goes perfectly straight down from the sky at each time of the day. blocks. At night, the sunlight will become moonlight instead, which still provides a small amount of light. The light level of sunlight is 15.
712 Blocks have 3 levels of transparency:
714 • Transparent: Sunlight goes through limitless, artificial light goes through with losses
715 • Semi-transparent: Sunlight and artificial light go through with losses
716 • Opaque: No light passes through
718 Artificial light will lose one level of brightness for each transparent or semi-transparent block it passes through, until only darkness remains (image 1).
719 Sunlight will preserve its brightness as long it only passes fully transparent blocks. When it passes through a semi-transparent block, it turns to artificial light. Image 2 shows the difference.
721 Note that “transparency” here only means that the block is able to carry brightness from its neighboring blocks. It is possible for a block to be transparent to light but you can't see trough the other side.]=],
722 images = {{image="doc_basics_light_torch.png"}, {image="doc_basics_light_test.png"}}
725 doc.new_entry("advanced", "coordinates", {
726 name = "Coordinates",
727 data = { text =
728 [=[The Minetest world is a large cube. And because of this, a position in the world can be easily expressed with Cartesian coordinates. That is, for each position in the world, there are 3 values X, Y and Z.
730 Like this: (5, 45, -12)
732 This refers to the position where X=5, Y=45 and Z=-12. The 3 letters are called “axes”: Y is for the height. X and Z are for the horizontal position.
734 The values for X, Y and Z work like this:
736 • If you go up, Y increases
737 • If you go down, Y decreases
738 • If you follow the sun, X increases
739 • If you go to the reverse direction, X decreases
740 • Follow the sun, then go right: Z increases
741 • Follow the sun, then go left: Z decreases
742 • The side length of a full cube is 1
744 You can view your current position in the debug screen (open with [F5]). This is considered cheating in some games.]=]