Keyboard Controls
Updated August 2026: newer controls not listed below: the item tracker (minus and equals cycle targets, shift with them switches category, backspace starts and stops tracking), cars (arrow keys drive, T and alt+T change gear, Q is the horn, shift+enter at a car gets in), the piano (sit on it and the keyboard plays), and alt+space with a walkie talkie talks on your radio channel straight away.
Keyboard Controls
This page provides a comprehensive list of all default key bindings in Life in nature. Understanding these controls is essential for effective navigation, survival, and interaction within the game world.
Basic Movement
Key(s)
Action/Description
Up/Down/Left/Right Arrows
Move Forward / Backward / Strafe Left / Strafe Right.
PageUp / PageDown
Move vertically up or down (e.g., swimming or climbing).
Ctrl + Space
Jump.
Z
Toggle auto-walk.
Interaction & Inventory
Key(s)
Action/Description
I or Escape
Open or close your inventory.
1 / 2
Select the item in your Left / Right hand.
3
Announces what you are currently holding in both hands.
T
Combine hands. Used for actions requiring two hands, such as opening packs or crafting.
Space
Use the currently selected hand-held item.
R
Toggle between sitting and standing.
Directional & Camera Control
Key(s)
Action/Description
Shift + Left/Right Arrow
Turn your character's facing direction by 45 degrees.
Shift + Up/Down Arrow
Turn your character's facing direction by 180 degrees.
Alt + Left/Right Arrow
Finely rotate your character's facing direction by 1 degree.
Ctrl + Shift + Left/Right Arrow
Rotate your character's facing direction by 3 degrees.
Hold G
Activate camera mode to explore your immediate surroundings with sound. Release to deactivate.
Status & Information
Key(s)
Action/Description
E / H / S / U
Check your Energy / Health / Thirst / Hunger levels.
W
Check your body status (e.g., wetness, dirt, injuries).
C
Check what clothes you are currently wearing.
B
Announces the name or type of the area you are in.
X
Toggle location alerts.
Scanning & Detection
Key(s)
Action/Description
M
List all items currently on the ground near you.
N
Scan the distance to the object directly in front of you.
A / Shift+A / Q
Detect animals / List detected animals on radar / Scan distance to a detected animal.
P / Shift+P / O
Detect players / List detected players on radar / Scan positions of detected players.
L
Scan for user-saved locations.
Communication & System
Key(s)
Action/Description
` (Backtick)
Open the Options menu.
Y
Open the chat input box for local chat.
/ (Forward Slash)
Open chat for radio communication.
\ (Backslash)
Open chat for public (OOC - Out Of Character) messages.
= (Equals)
Open the input box to enter game commands (e.g., admintell).
F1 to F8 (except F7)
Various system functions: Online player count, server uptime, ping, MOTD, language, online player list, toggle speech mode.
Enter / Escape
Confirm an action or selection / Cancel an action or exit a menu.