Desktop Explorer reference
Terminal commands and Tower aliases
Start with HELP. Commands are enabled by room and story state. A command that works on the desktop may be unavailable in the Tower, and a Tower command may only appear after a story file finishes.
How command input works
- Commands are not case-sensitive:
helpandHELPbehave the same way. - Tower actions usually use
COMMAND TARGET, such asLOOK MOON. - Aliases replace the command word only.
G FORWARDis the short form ofGO FORWARD. - Use the exact target label shown by the interface, including combined names such as
RIGHTBANNER. - Scripted scenes may temporarily replace the normal command list.
Desktop Terminal commands
| Command | Aliases | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
HELP | H | Shows the first page of commands available in the current context. |
MOREHELP | MORE, MH | Shows the remaining commands when HELP has a second page. |
CLEAR | CLEAN, CL | Clears the terminal display. |
DATETIME | DT, TIME | Displays the simulated system date and time. |
UNINSTALL <software> | None | Attempts to uninstall the named program when the story state allows it. |
CHRONO RESTORE | CHR | Starts Chronolog recovery and asks for a full file path. It may be hidden from HELP. |
Chronolog recovery syntax
Enter the recovery command first:
CHRONO RESTOREAt the CHR0N0> prompt, enter the folder, slash, filename and .res extension. The Admin chapter uses:
shame/03-18-1997.resThe command only accepts entries that are valid at the current story checkpoint.
Clever Girl achievement command
On a desktop Terminal that currently accepts uninstall attempts, enter:
UNINSTALL DESKTOPEXPLORERThis triggers “Clever Girl...”; it does not permanently remove the story program.
Tower commands
| Command | Alias | Use |
|---|---|---|
START | None | Starts the Tower from its main menu. |
STORY | None | Opens the current room's StoryTeller+ description. |
LOOK <target> | None | Examines an object or environmental clue. |
USE <target> | None | Interacts with the named object. |
FEEL <target> | None | Appears temporarily during the Portrait Room puzzle. |
GO <target> | G | Moves toward a room, passage or direction. |
TURN <direction> | T | Rotates left or right, or turns a named object during the seventh-floor sequence. |
CONFRONT FEARS | None | Final story command on the seventh floor after both scripted interruptions. |
EXIT | None | Leaves the temporary late-game chessboard inspection state. |
Commands by Tower area
| Area | Typical active commands |
|---|---|
| Outside | STORY, LOOK, USE, GO |
| First-floor hall | STORY, LOOK, USE, GO, TURN |
| Orb Room | STORY, LOOK, USE, TURN |
| Portrait Room | STORY, LOOK, USE, temporary FEEL, TURN |
| Seventh floor | STORY, LOOK, USE, GO, TURN, then CONFRONT FEARS |
| Guppy's room | STORY, LOOK, USE, temporary EXIT |
Important command sequences
Outside gate
LOOK MOON
USE LEVER
GO FORWARDOrb Room banners
LOOK RIGHTBANNER
USE LEFTBANNER
USE MIDDLEBANNERPortrait Room
FEEL FLOOR
FEEL WALL
USE LEVERSeventh-floor objects
TURN SWORD
TURN CHALICELegacy inputs
Some contexts still recognize combined inputs such as MOVEFORWARD and TURNRIGHT. Prefer the current forms GO FORWARD and TURN RIGHT, which match the help text and reduce ambiguity.
Why a valid command is rejected
- Wrong context: the current room does not expose that action. Run
HELP. - Wrong target: use the label shown in the interface without adding extra words.
- Story file still active: finish the highlighted StoryTeller+ or Chronolog entry.
- Temporary command expired: repeat the room setup that enables
FEEL,EXITorCONFRONT FEARS. - Recovery path incomplete: include the folder, slash, file name and
.resextension.