Claude's documentation for Angband

# Angband Help Reference

## Getting Started

Angband is a classic roguelike dungeon crawler. To run in text mode, use:
```
angband -mgcu
```

## Character Creation

1. Select Race (affects stats and abilities)
2. Select Class (affects skills and playstyle)
3. Choose stat generation method (Point-based recommended)
4. Accept character history
5. Enter character name

## Help System

Access the in-game help with `?` key. Main help categories:
- (a) Available commands
- (b) Available symbols

For detailed documentation: https://angband.readthedocs.io/en/latest/

## Key Commands

### Movement & Basic Actions
- Arrow keys or numpad: Move around
- `.` Run
- `,` Stay still (with pickup)
- `;` Walk (with pickup)
- `<` Go up staircase
- `>` Go down staircase

### Doors & Environment
- `o` Open a door or chest
- `c` Close a door
- `D` Disarm a trap or lock a door
- `T` Dig a tunnel
- `+` Alter grid

### Combat & Targeting
- `h` Fire default ammo at target
- `f` Fire an item
- `v` Throw an item
- `*` Target monster or location
- `'` Target closest monster

### Inventory Management
- `i` List contents of pack
- `e` List equipped items
- `w` Wear/wield equipment
- `t` Take off equipment
- `d` Drop an item
- `g` Get objects on floor
- `k` Ignore an item
- `K` Toggle ignore
- `I` Inspect an item
- `{` Inscribe an object
- `}` Uninscribe an object
- `|` List contents of quiver

### Magic & Items
- `m` Cast a spell
- `G` Gain new spells/prayers
- `b` Browse a book
- `r` Read a scroll
- `q` Quaff a potion
- `E` Eat some food
- `A` Activate an object
- `a` Aim a wand
- `u` Use a staff
- `z` Zap a rod
- `U` Use an item
- `F` Fuel your lantern/torch

### Character Information
- `C` Character description
- `S` See abilities
- `~` Check knowledge
- `[` Display visible monster list
- `]` Display visible object list
- `/` Identify symbol
- `l` Look around
- `L` Locate player on map
- `M` Display map of entire level

### System Commands
- `=` Set options
- `:` Take notes
- `"` Enter a user pref command
- `^s` Save and don't quit
- `^x` Save and quit
- `Q` Kill character & quit
- `R` Rest for a period
- `n` Repeat previous command
- `^r` Redraw the screen
- `^p` Show previous messages
- `^o` Show previous message
- `^e` Toggle inven/equip window
- `^f` Repeat level feeling
- `^l` Center map
- `)` Dump screen to a file
- `V` Display version info

### Special Commands
- `s` Steal from a monster (rogues only)
- `W` Walk into a trap
- `^g` Do autopickup
- `_` Enter store

## Map Symbols

### Terrain Features
- `.` Floor space or hidden trap
- `^` Known trap
- `;` Glyph of warding
- `#` Wall, secret door, or lava pool
- `+` Closed or locked door
- `'` Open or broken door
- `<` Staircase up
- `>` Staircase down
- `:` Pile of rubble (may be passable)
- `%` Mineral vein
- `*` Mineral vein with treasure

### Town Buildings
- `1` General Store
- `2` Armoury
- `3` Weapon Smith
- `4` Bookseller
- `5` Alchemy Shop
- `6` Magic Shop
- `7` Black Market
- `8` Your Home

### Objects
- `!` Potion or flask
- `?` Scroll or book
- `,` Mushroom or food
- `-` Wand or rod
- `_` Staff
- `=` Ring
- `"` Amulet
- `$` Gold or gems
- `~` Lights, tools, chests
- `&` Multiple items
- `/` Pole-arm
- `|` Edged weapon
- `\` Hafted weapon
- `}` Sling, bow, or crossbow
- `{` Shot, arrow, or bolt
- `(` Soft armor
- `[` Hard armor
- `]` Miscellaneous armor
- `)` Shield

### Monsters (partial list)
- `@` Player character
- `$` Creeping Coins
- `a` Giant Ant
- `b` Giant Bat
- `c` Giant Centipede
- `d` Dragon
- `e` Floating Eye
- `f` Feline (Cat)
- `g` Golem
- `h` Humanoid
- `i` Icky-Thing
- `j` Jelly
- `k` Kobold
- `l` Tree/Ent
- `m` Mold
- `n` Naga
- `o` Orc
- `p` Human person
- `q` Quadruped
- `r` Rodent
- `s` Skeleton
- `t` Townsperson
- `u` Minor Demon
- `v` Vortex
- `w` Worm or Worm Mass
- `y` Yeek
- `z` Zombie/Mummy

Capital letters generally represent more powerful versions:
- `A` Ainu
- `B` Bird
- `C` Canine (Dog)
- `D` Ancient Dragon
- `E` Elemental
- `F` Dragon Fly
- `G` Ghost
- `H` Hybrid
- `I` Insect
- `J` Snake
- `K` Killer Beetle
- `L` Lich
- `M` Multi-Headed Hydra
- `O` Ogre
- `P` Giant person
- `Q` Quylthulg (Pulsing Flesh Mound)
- `R` Reptile/Amphibian
- `S` Spider/Scorpion/Tick
- `T` Troll
- `U` Major Demon
- `V` Vampire
- `W` Wight/Wraith
- `X` Xorn/Xaren
- `Y` Yeti
- `Z` Zephyr Hound

## Tips for New Players

1. Start with a simple race/class combination like Human Warrior
2. Explore the town shops before descending into the dungeon
3. Use the `/` command to identify unknown symbols
4. Save frequently with `^s`
5. Rest with `R` to recover HP
6. Always have a light source (torch or lantern)
7. Pick up and identify items to learn what they do
8. Don't be afraid to run away from tough monsters
9. Use the help system (`?`) liberally to learn commands
10. The game has permadeath - when you die, that character is gone forever