Hello and welcome to this complete guide of ARK: Survival Evolved commands!

ARK comes with an in-game console that allows administrators (or single-player users with cheats enabled) to modify many aspects of the game. Whether you want to manage your server, teleport, instantly tame creatures or spawn items, admin commands give you total control over your ARK world. This tutorial details all available commands, their effects, and how to execute them. We’ll also note when a command is platform-specific (PC, consoles) or requires admin rights (cheats).

Opening the Console

1. PC: Press the Tab key.
2. Xbox: Pause the game, then press LB + RB + X + Y simultaneously.
3. PlayStation: Pause the game, then press L1 + R1 + △ (Triangle) + □ (Square).

In single-player, make sure cheats are enabled in the options. On a server, you must first authenticate as admin by entering:

(using the password you set up in your server configuration).

Once authenticated, most commands must be prefixed with cheat (or admincheat on some server platforms). Commands are not case-sensitive. On consoles, you must also enable console access in the advanced game settings.

We’ve grouped the commands into categories for clarity. For each, we'll describe its effect, give an example, and note platform or admin restrictions where relevant.

Server & Player Administration Commands

These commands manage the server and community: admin login, permissions, bans, etc. To use them on a multiplayer server, you must be logged in as admin (enablecheats). On rented servers (e.g., Minestrator), the admin password is set in the configuration.

On PC, you can also open the graphical Admin Manager with:

This brings up a menu listing players/tribes and lets you run commands with a click.

1. enablecheats <Password> – Authenticate as admin. Required before running most admin commands.
2. SetCheatPlayer <true/false> – Toggle client cheat mode (HUD shows cheat status).
3. ShowMyAdminManager – Opens the graphical admin menu (PC only).
4. Broadcast <Message> – Sends a global message displayed in the middle of all players’ screens.
5. ServerChatToPlayer <PlayerName> <Message> – Send a private message to a player by name.
6. ServerChatTo <SteamID> <Message> – Variant using SteamID64 (safer for duplicate/special names).
7. SetMessageOfTheDay <Message> – Sets the server MOTD (shown when players log in).
8. ListPlayers – Shows a list of currently connected players and their IDs.
9. KickPlayer <PlayerID> – Kicks a player from the server.
10. BanPlayer <PlayerID> – Permanently bans a player.
11. UnbanPlayer <PlayerID> – Removes a ban for a specific player.
12. AllowPlayerToJoinNoCheck <SteamID> – Whitelist a player.
13. DisallowPlayerToJoinNoCheck <SteamID> – Remove from whitelist.
14. SaveWorld – Immediately saves the current state of the server.
15. Quit – Shuts down the dedicated server (after saving).
16. GetGameLog / GetChat – Displays recent server log entries or chat messages.
17. 
    

⚠️ Note: These commands require admin privileges. Some (like BanPlayer or AllowPlayerToJoinNoCheck) only work on dedicated servers, not single-player.

In-Game Communication Commands

1. Broadcast <Message> – Global message (see above).
2. ServerChatToPlayer <Name> <Message> – Private message to a specific player.
3. ServerChatTo <SteamID> <Message> – Private message using SteamID64.
4. SetMessageOfTheDay <Message> – Set the MOTD.

Player Status & Cheat Mode Commands

These affect the player’s character: god mode, infinite stats, creative mode, etc. Useful for testing or having fun in single-player.

1. God – God mode (invincibility, except drowning/falling off-map).
2. InfiniteStats – Infinite hunger, stamina, ammo, oxygen, etc.
3. EnemyInvisible <true/false> – Makes all creatures ignore you.
4. LeaveMeAlone – Combo of God + InfiniteStats + EnemyInvisible.
5. GMBuff – Like LeaveMeAlone, plus a big XP boost.
6. GiveCreativeMode / gcm – Toggles Creative Mode (unlimited resources, instant crafting, no weight).
7. GiveCreativeModeToTarget / GCMT – Puts the targeted player into creative mode.
8. GiveCreativeModeToPlayer <PlayerID> – Enables creative mode for a specific player ID.
9. AddExperience <Amount> <TribeShare> <PlayerShare> – Grants XP.
10. AddExperienceToPlayer <PlayerID> ... – Grants XP to another player.
11. GiveToMe – Claims ownership of the targeted creature or structure.
12. ClearMyBuffs – Removes all status effects (buffs/debuffs).
13. SetTargetDinoColor <Region> <ColorID> – Recolors a targeted dino region.
14. SetHairStyle / SetFacialHairStyle <Num> – Instantly change hairstyle/beard style.
15. ChangeSize <Scale> – Resize your character (e.g., 2.0 = double size).
16. GiveAllExplorerNotes – Unlocks all explorer notes (huge XP gain, may freeze game).
17. PlayerCommand Ascend<1-3> – Triggers ascension (Gamma/Beta/Alpha endings).
18. UnlockAchievement <Tag> – Unlock a specific achievement.
19. 
    

💡 Did you know? Creative Mode also grants god mode and infinite stats automatically.

Movement & Teleportation Commands

Used to fly, noclip, teleport players, or move to exact coordinates.

1. Fly – Enables flying.
2. Walk – Returns to walking (disables Fly/Ghost).
3. Ghost – Noclip mode (fly through terrain/structures).
4. Teleport – Teleports you instantly to where you are looking.
5. TeleportPlayerNameToMe <Name> – Teleports a player to you.
6. TeleportPlayerIDToMe <ID> – Teleports a player (by ID) to you.
7. TeleportToPlayer <ID> – Teleports you to another player.
8. TeleportToPlayerName <Name> – Teleports you to a player by name.
9. SetPlayerPos <X> <Y> <Z> – Teleports you to specific coordinates.
10. MoveTo <PlayerID> <X> <Y> <Z> – Teleports another player to coordinates.
11. Lightning – Hidden/fun command: launches you forward at high speed.
12. 
    

💡 Example rescue operation: TeleportToPlayer → Ghost to reach them → TeleportPlayerIDToMe → Walk to restore normal mode.

Environment & Time Commands

Control day/night cycles, speed, weather, and events.

1. SetTimeOfDay <HH:MM> – Sets game time.
2. SetDay <Number> – Sets the current day counter.
3. Slomo <Value> – Adjusts game speed (0.5 = half speed, 2 = double speed).
4. PlayersOnly – Freezes everything except players.
5. CE <Weather> – Trigger weather events (map-specific).
6. SetGlobalPause <true/false> – Completely pause/resume the game.
7. StartNearestHorde <Type> <Difficulty> – Trigger Extinction events.
8. Seasonal events – Activated via server launch parameters (-ActiveEvent=FearEvolved).

Items & Engram Commands

Get items, give them to players, or unlock engrams.

1. GiveItemNum <ID> <Qty> <Quality> <Blueprint> – Spawn item by numeric ID.
2. GiveItem <BlueprintPath> <Qty> <Quality> <Blueprint> – Spawn by full blueprint path.
3. GFI <ItemCode> <Qty> <Quality> <Blueprint> – Easier spawn by partial name.
4. GiveItemToPlayer <PlayerID> ... – Give item to another player.
5. GiveItemNumToPlayer <PlayerID> ... – Same with numeric IDs.
6. GiveResources – Gives 50 of each basic resource.
7. GiveAllStructure – Claim targeted connected structures.
8. GiveAllInventory – Transfers contents of targeted container to you.
9. ClearInventory – Wipes your inventory (or another player’s if ID given).
10. GiveEngrams – Unlocks all engrams for your character.
11. UnlockEngram <Path> – Unlocks a specific engram.
12. AddHexagons <Amount> – Gives Hexagons (Genesis currency).
13. GiveCurrency <Amount> – Mobile only: gives Amber.

Creature (Dino) Commands

Manage spawning, taming, killing, or removing creatures.

1. Summon <CreatureID> – Spawns a wild creature at your location.
2. SummonTamed <CreatureID> – Spawns a tamed version.
3. GMSummon "<CreatureID>" <Level> – Spawns a tamed creature at a specific level.
4. SpawnDino <Blueprint> <X> <Y> <Z> <Level> – Spawns a dino at relative coordinates.
5. DestroyWildDinos – Wipes all wild dinos from the map (forces respawn).
6. DestroyAll <ClassName> – Destroys all of one type (be careful).
7. DestroyMyTarget – Permanently deletes the targeted entity.
8. Kill – Kills the targeted entity normally.
9. KillPlayer <ID> – Kills a player by ID.
10. DamageTarget <Amount> – Damages the targeted entity.
11. HurtMe <Amount> – Damages yourself.
12. ForceTame – Instantly tames the targeted creature (rideable without saddle).
13. DoTame – Instantly tames normally (requires saddle if applicable).
14. ForceTameAOE <Radius> – Instantly tames all creatures within the radius.
15. EnableBreeding <true/false> – Forces two targeted creatures to start/stop breeding.

Tribe & Structure Commands

Manage tribe membership, ownership of structures, and mass deletions.

1. ForcePlayerToJoinTribe <PlayerID> <TribeID> – Adds a player to a specific tribe.
2. ForcePlayerToJoinTargetTribe <PlayerID> – Adds a player to the tribe of the targeted entity.
3. MakeTribeAdmin – Makes you (or target) a tribe admin.
4. MakeTribeFounder – Makes you (or target) the tribe founder/leader.
5. GiveAllStructure – Claims targeted structures for your tribe.
6. TakeAllStructure – Claims all structures of the targeted tribe.
7. TakeAllDino – Claims all dinos of the targeted tribe.
8. DestroyTribeDinos – Destroys all tamed dinos of a targeted tribe.
9. DestroyTribeStructures – Destroys all structures of a targeted tribe.
10. DestroyTribePlayers – Deletes all characters of a targeted tribe.
11. DestroyTribeId <TribeID> – Destroys everything belonging to a tribe by ID.
12. DestroyTribeIdDinos / DestroyTribeIdStructures / DestroyTribeIdPlayers <TribeID> – Same as above, but only dinos/structures/players.
13. DestroyTribeStructuresLessThan <TribeID> <Number> – Removes under-connected structures (e.g., spam pillars).
14. RenameTribe <NewName> – Renames the targeted tribe.
15. 
    

Map & World Management Commands

These allow you to reset resources, control spawns, or clear specific entities.

1. DestroyAllEnemies – Destroys all wild hostile creatures on the map.
2. DestroyAllFoliage – Removes all vegetation (trees, bushes, rocks).
3. **DestroyFoliage X Y Z Radius – Removes foliage only within the specified radius around coordinates.
4. DestroyStructures – Removes all structures on the map (⚠️ use with caution!).
5. DestroyAll <ClassName> – Removes all entities of a given class (ex: all Rexes).
6. DestroyWildDinos – Deletes all wild creatures (triggers a fresh respawn).
7. DestroyAllNonPlayers – Deletes every non-player entity.
8. DestroyAllNonPlayerCharacters – Same as above, but without removing items/structures.
9. DestroyTribeId <ID> – Wipes all dinos, structures, and players belonging to the specified tribe ID.
10. DestroyTribeIdDinos / DestroyTribeIdStructures / DestroyTribeIdPlayers – Deletes only dinos / only structures / only characters for a tribe ID.
11. 
    

💡 Use case: After a big update, DestroyWildDinos is often used to make the new creatures start spawning.

Debug & Performance Commands

These are mostly for developers or advanced admins to monitor server performance, rendering, or debugging issues.

1. Stat FPS – Shows FPS in real time.
2. Stat Unit – Shows performance stats (Frame, Game, Draw, GPU times).
3. Stat Memory – Shows memory usage.
4. Stat Net – Displays network latency, bandwidth, packet loss.
5. Stat Levels – Displays loaded map levels/sublevels.
6. Stat AI – Displays AI activity and performance.
7. SetCheatPlayer true/false – Toggles cheat UI mode.
8. SetCheatGhost true/false – Toggles noclip debug mode.
9. r.<Setting> <Value> – Modify rendering options (e.g., r.shadowquality 0 to disable shadows).
10. getall <ClassName> <Property> – Lists property values of all entities of a class.
11. getplayerpos <PlayerName> – Displays coordinates of a player.
12. getplayerid <PlayerName> – Displays player ID.
13. gettribeid <PlayerName> – Displays tribe ID of a player.
14. getstructures <PlayerName> – Lists all structures belonging to a player.
15. 
    

DLC / Map-Specific Commands

Some commands only work on specific DLCs or maps (Scorched Earth, Aberration, Extinction, Genesis).

1. StartNearestHorde <Type> <Difficulty> – Extinction only: triggers a nearby OSD (Orbital Supply Drop) or Element Vein event.
2. ce start_superheat / start_electricalstorm / start_rain – Scorched Earth: triggers weather events (heatwave, sandstorm, thunderstorm).
3. SpawnActor <Blueprint> <X> <Y> <Z> <Yaw> – Spawns map-specific objects or terminals.
4. summon Rockwell_Character_BP_C – Aberration: spawns Rockwell (final boss).
5. summon KingKaiju_Character_BP_C – Extinction: spawns the King Titan boss.
6. summon Astrocetus_Character_BP_C – Genesis: spawns the Astrocetus (space whale).
7. summon BogSpider_Character_BP_C – Genesis 2: spawns the Shadowmane.

💡 Note: Some map events (like Fear Evolved, Turkey Trial, Winter Wonderland) are enabled only via server launch parameters:

Fun / Easter Egg Commands

Hidden or just-for-fun commands.

1. SetTargetDinoColor <Region> <ColorID> – Paints dino color regions with any dye ID.
2. SpawnActor "Blueprint'/Game/PrimalEarth/CoreBlueprints/Items/Weapons/PrimalItem_WeaponGun.PrimalItem_WeaponGun'" 1 1 1 – Spawns the Admin Rifle (instantly kills or tames depending on ammo).
3. GiveCreativeMode – Turns you into a demi-god builder.
4. ForceTameAOE <Radius> – Instantly tames all dinos around you.
5. Lightning – Propels you super fast in the direction you’re facing.
6. DoTame – Instantly befriends any wild dino with just a glance.

Mobile-Exclusive Commands

On ARK Mobile, the cheat system has some unique commands:

1. GiveArmorSet <Type> <Quality> – Instantly gives a full set of armor (cloth, hide, flak, tek).
2. GiveArmorSetT – Same as above, but for Tek armor only.
3. GiveItemNum <ID> <Qty> <Quality> <Blueprint> – Spawn items by numeric ID.
4. GiveItemToPlayer <ID> <…> – Give item to another player.
5. GiveEngrams / GiveEngramsTekOnly – Unlocks all engrams (all, or only Tek).
6. GiveResources – Gives 50 of each resource.
7. GiveCreativeMode / GCM – Mobile also supports creative mode.
8. GiveCurrency <Amount> – Gives Amber (mobile premium currency).
9. SetGodMode <true/false> – Explicit toggle for invincibility.

Cheats for Testing & Development

Used mostly by modders, developers, or for creative testing.

1. cheat forcegivebuff <BuffName> – Apply a status effect (e.g., buff for radiation resistance).
2. cheat clearplayerinventory <PlayerID> <Option> – Clears a player’s inventory (options: items, blueprints, equipped).
3. cheat giveallstructure – Take ownership of a structure and all connected parts.
4. cheat GiveToMe – Claim any dino or building piece.
5. cheat settimeofday 06:00:00 – Precisely set the time of day.
6. cheat addhexagons 10000 – Add Hexagons (Genesis mission currency).
7. cheat forcestartmission <MissionName> – Start a mission directly (Genesis maps).
8. cheat completemission <MissionName> – Marks a mission as completed.

These commands can save you in emergencies, help with server management, or simply let you have fun experimenting with ARK’s vast sandbox. Use them wisely—especially destructive ones like DestroyAll or DestroyTribeId which can wipe entire saves!