OpenFront Controls
OpenFront is played with a mouse and a modifier key; almost everything else is an optional shortcut. These are the official defaults.
Quick answer: the mouse does the work — point at a target to see it, click to act, drag to box-select. Structures and attacks are issued from the build menu, which opens with a modifier key: Control on Windows and Linux, Command on macOS. Every default bind is listed on the hotkeys page.
Camera and view
| Action | Default input | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pan the camera | W A S D, or move the pointer to the screen edge | Camera movement is independent of selection |
| Zoom in / out | E / Q | Also available with the scroll wheel and the zoom buttons |
| Centre camera on the action | C | Jumps back to your own territory |
| Toggle a view layer | Space | Details of the view change between versions |
| Show grid coordinates | M | Useful for calling out a position to allies |
Building
- Open the build menu — hold Control (Windows/Linux) or Command (macOS), then pick a structure. The same modifier is used for every build action.
- Direct binds — digits 1–6 place city, factory, port, defence post, missile silo and SAM launcher respectively.
- Weapons — digits 8, 9 and 0 launch/hold atomic bomb, hydrogen bomb and MIRV, and 7 builds a warship.
- Cancel or correct a mistake — structures and units can be deleted; the official layout has a dedicated cooldown-bound delete action rather than a hidden click.
Attack orders
| Order | Default input | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Ground attack | G | Push a land border with your committed stack |
| Boat attack | B | Invade across water; commits troops ÷ 5 |
| Retaliate | Shift + R | Answer an incoming attack without re-selecting the target |
| Lower / raise attack ratio | T / Y | The single most useful pair of keys in the game |
| Swap attack direction | U | Redirect an on-going push |
| Select all warships | F | Gathers your navy instantly |
| Box-select warships | Hold Shift and drag | Selects several ships for one order |
Diplomacy and social
- Request an alliance with K; break one with L.
- Hold Alt to open the emoji menu, which is the fastest way to say 'good game' or warn a neighbour.
- Pause and change game speed with P, comma and period in modes that allow it.
macOS and touch
The only structural difference on macOS is the build-menu modifier: Command instead of Control. Touch devices can play the browser build — the interface scales to a single column and the build menu becomes a tap target rather than a modifier chord. The public mobile story is still developing: the developers have said the Steam release is meant to fund proper mobile ports, so treat any specific touch behaviour as subject to change.
FAQ
Common questions about this topic.
What is the build menu key?
Hold Control on Windows and Linux, or Command on macOS, then select the structure. Digit keys 1–6 are shortcuts for city, factory, port, defence post, missile silo and SAM launcher.
How do I change the attack ratio?
T lowers it and Y raises it in the default layout; it is a setting you can also adjust directly in the interface.
How do I select several warships?
Hold Shift and drag a box around them, or press F to select every warship you own.
Are the controls different on Mac?
Only in the modifier key: macOS uses Command where Windows and Linux use Control. Everything else matches the table above.