Minecraft Commands Codes and Unlockables — Complete Guide

TL;DR

• Minecraft has no traditional “cheat codes” — it uses slash commands you type in the chat.
• Commands work on both Java and Bedrock Edition, but syntax differs between them — always use the right version for your game.
• Bedrock Edition has 133 achievements (136 on PlayStation), many of which reward cosmetics, emotes, or Gamerscore.
• Java Edition has 126 advancements tracked per world. Challenge advancements reward XP — some pay as much as 1,000 XP.
• Enabling cheats in Bedrock permanently disables achievements for that world — there is no way to reverse it.
• Java Edition advancements are still earnable even with commands turned on.

Minecraft does not have traditional cheat codes you punch in on a title screen. Instead, it uses a powerful in-game command system — text instructions you type in the chat that let you control almost everything in your world.

On top of that, Minecraft has a full unlockables system. In Bedrock Edition these are called achievements. In Java Edition they are called advancements. Both reward you for hitting key milestones, but they work very differently between editions.

This guide covers every major Minecraft command you need to know, how to enable them, and how both the achievement and advancement systems work — including what you unlock and how to get them.

Before diving in, make sure your Minecraft settings are set up correctly, especially if you are just starting out.

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How to Enable Minecraft Commands (Cheats)

Commands are disabled by default in new worlds. Here is how to turn them on.

Java Edition

When creating a new world, go to the More tab and enable Allow Commands. For an existing world, open it to LAN from the pause menu and tick Allow Cheats. Java Edition advancements remain earnable even with commands enabled.

How to Enable Commands Cheats in Minecraft

Bedrock Edition

When creating a new world, scroll down to the Cheats section and toggle Activate Cheats on. For an existing world, go to Settings → Game → Activate Cheats.

Important for Bedrock players: Enabling cheats permanently disables achievements for that world. Even if you turn cheats off later, achievements cannot be restored in that save. If you want to earn achievements, do not enable cheats.

How to Open the Command Window

• PC (Java & Bedrock): Press T or / to open the chat and type your command
• Mobile (Bedrock): Tap the chat icon, then type your command
• Console (Bedrock): Press right on the D-pad or the designated chat button

All commands begin with a forward slash — for example, /give or /tp. On Java Edition, gamerule names and some command arguments are case-sensitive, so copy commands exactly as shown.

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Target Selectors — How to Aim Commands at Players and Mobs

Many commands let you specify a target. These shortcuts save you from typing out player names every time:

• @p — the nearest player to the point where the command runs (not necessarily you)
• @s — yourself, the entity executing the command
• @a — all players in the world
• @e — all entities (players, mobs, items)
• @r — a random player

Use @s to give items or effects directly to yourself. Example: /give @s diamond 64 gives 64 diamonds to you specifically. /give @p diamond 64 gives them to the nearest player, which is you only if nobody else is closer.

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Minecraft Commands List — Essential Commands for Both Java and Bedrock

These are the most commonly used Minecraft commands. Where the syntax differs between Java and Bedrock, both versions are shown.

Game Mode Commands

• /gamemode survival — switches to Survival mode
• /gamemode creative — switches to Creative mode
• /gamemode adventure — switches to Adventure mode
• /gamemode spectator — switches to Spectator mode (supported in both Java Edition and Bedrock Edition since 1.19.50; requires cheats enabled on Bedrock)

Knowing how to switch modes is especially useful when testing builds. If you are new to game modes, our guide on the best Minecraft settings for beginners explains the differences clearly.

Give Command

• /give @s <item> <amount> — gives an item directly to yourself
• /give @p <item> <amount> — gives an item to the nearest player
• Example: /give @s diamond_sword — gives you a diamond sword
• Example: /give @s torch 64 — gives you 64 torches
• Example: /give @s enchanted_golden_apple — gives you an enchanted golden apple

You can find more on the golden apple crafting guide if you want to make one instead.

Teleport Command

• /tp @s <x> <y> <z> — teleports you to specific coordinates
• /tp @s @p — teleports you to the nearest other player
• /tp <player> <x> <y> <z> — teleports a specific player

Time Commands

• /time set day — sets time to daytime
• /time set night — sets time to night
• /time set noon — sets time to noon
• /time set midnight — sets time to midnight
• /time set sunrise — sets time to sunrise
• /time set sunset — sets time to sunset

Weather Commands

• /weather clear — clears all weather
• /weather rain — starts rain
• /weather thunder — starts a thunderstorm
• Add a duration in seconds: /weather clear 999999 — locks weather to clear for a very long period

Kill Command

• /kill @e[type=zombie] — kills all zombies
• /kill @e — kills all entities, including players, mobs, dropped items, and other entities. Use extreme caution, especially in multiplayer worlds.
• /kill @e[type=!player] — kills all entities except players (Java syntax)

Summon Command

• /summon <entity> — spawns a mob or entity at your location
• Example: /summon minecraft:horse — spawns a horse
• Example: /summon creeper — spawns a creeper

Speaking of farms — check out our creeper farm guide if you want gunpowder automatically without spawning mobs manually.

Locate Command

The /locate command works on both Java and Bedrock Edition. Note that exact structure and biome identifiers can differ between editions and versions — always use your game’s autocomplete to confirm the correct name before running the command.

• /locate structure village — finds the nearest village
• /locate structure stronghold — finds the nearest stronghold
• /locate structure fortress — finds the nearest Nether Fortress on Bedrock; Java uses /locate structure nether_fortress
• /locate biome <biome> — finds the nearest instance of a specific biome. Supported on both Java and Bedrock. The biome ID format differs between editions. You must be in the correct dimension — for example, go to the Nether before locating a Nether biome.

If you are hunting for a Nether Fortress on foot, our guide on how to find a Nether Fortress gives you natural search tips too.

Experience Command

The XP command syntax differs significantly between editions:

Java Edition:

• /xp add @s 100 levels — adds 100 XP levels to yourself
• /xp set @s 30 levels — sets your level to 30
• Java also accepts /experience as an alternative: /experience add @s 100 levels

Bedrock Edition:

• /xp 100L @s — adds 100 XP levels. The L stands for levels.
• /xp 100 @s — adds 100 XP points, not levels (no L)
• /xp -5L @s — removes 5 levels

Effect Command

The effect command uses different syntax on each edition. Use the correct version for your game:

Java Edition (1.13 and newer):

• /effect give @s speed 60 1 — gives yourself Speed II for 60 seconds. Amplifier values start at 0, so 1 = level II.
• /effect give @s water_breathing 9999 1 true — grants Water Breathing for 9,999 seconds with hidden particles
• /effect give @s saturation 1 0 true — restores your hunger bar once when applied. Saturation is an instant effect, so it fills your food bar on use rather than preventing hunger continuously.
• /effect clear @s — removes all active effects from yourself

Bedrock Edition:

• /effect @s speed 60 1 — gives yourself Speed II for 60 seconds (no “give” keyword in Bedrock)
• /effect @s water_breathing 9999 1 true — grants Water Breathing for 9,999 seconds
• /effect @s clear — removes all active effects

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Most Useful Minecraft Commands for Beginners

If you are new to commands, start with these. They are the most practical for everyday use and work on both editions (with edition-specific syntax where noted):

• /gamemode creative — switch to Creative mode instantly to test a build or get items
• /give @s <item> — get any item directly into your own inventory
• /tp @s <x> <y> <z> — teleport yourself anywhere, great if you are lost
• /time set day — skip to daytime without sleeping
• /weather clear — stop rain during a build session

Setting /gamerule keep_inventory true (Java 1.21.11+) or /gamerule keepinventory true (Bedrock) early is also worth doing if you are still learning — you will not lose items on death. See our full keep inventory guide for more.

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Gamerule Commands — Change How the Game Works

Java Edition 1.21.11, released in December 2025, moved gamerules into a registry and changed their names to namespaced snake_case IDs. Some rules also received new names. Bedrock continues to use lowercase gamerule names without underscores, while Java 1.21.10 and earlier uses the older camelCase names.

Gamerule names are case-sensitive on Java Edition — always copy them exactly. Bedrock accepts any capitalisation.

Key Gamerules — Java 1.21.11+ and Bedrock Compared

• Keep items on death:
  Java 1.21.11+: /gamerule keep_inventory true
  Bedrock: /gamerule keepinventory true
  Java 1.21.10 and older: /gamerule keepInventory true
• Freeze the day/night cycle:
  Java 1.21.11+: /gamerule advance_time false
  Bedrock: /gamerule dodaylightcycle false
• Stop mob block damage (Creepers, Endermen, Ghasts):
  Java 1.21.11+: /gamerule mob_griefing false
  Bedrock: /gamerule mobgriefing false
• Stop natural mob spawning:
  Java 1.21.11+: /gamerule spawn_mobs false
  Bedrock: /gamerule domobspawning false
• Freeze weather:
  Java 1.21.11+: /gamerule advance_weather false
  Bedrock: /gamerule doweathercycle false
• Disable natural health regeneration:
  Java 1.21.11+: /gamerule natural_health_regeneration false
  Bedrock: /gamerule naturalregeneration false
• Toggle PvP (Bedrock): /gamerule pvp true/false

When in doubt about an exact gamerule name for your version, type /gamerule and use the autocomplete suggestions your game shows — this lists every valid rule for your current version.

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Java-Only Commands

These commands are exclusive to Java Edition:

• /advancement grant @s everything — grants all advancements to yourself
• /advancement revoke @s everything — resets all advancements
• /worldborder set <size> — sets a world border
• /data get entity @s — reads NBT data from an entity
• /team — manages player teams and team-based settings
• /locate poi — locates points of interest such as job sites

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Bedrock-Only Commands

These commands are exclusive to Bedrock Edition:

• /tickingarea — creates persistent chunk loading zones
• /structure save — saves a structure to file
• /structure load — loads a saved structure
• /event entity — triggers entity events (useful for behaviour packs)

About the /function Command

The /function command is supported in both Java and Bedrock Edition. On Java, it runs functions from data packs. On Bedrock, it runs functions from behaviour packs. The purpose is the same, but the file structure differs between editions.

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Minecraft Commands Not Working? Common Fixes

If a command returns an error or does nothing, here is what to check:

• Cheats not enabled: Commands require cheats to be turned on in your world settings
• Wrong edition syntax: Java and Bedrock use different formats for many commands — especially for /effect, /xp, and gamerules
• Wrong Java version for gamerules: Java 1.21.11+ uses snake_case names like keep_inventory. Java 1.21.10 and older use keepInventory. Using the wrong name causes the command to fail silently.
• Case sensitivity on Java: Java gamerule names are case-sensitive. keep_inventory works; Keep_Inventory does not.
• Wrong item or entity ID: Item IDs differ between editions. Use autocomplete to find the correct ID.
• Missing operator permissions: On multiplayer servers, most commands require operator (OP) level 2 or higher
• Wrong dimension: /locate biome only finds biomes in your current dimension

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Minecraft Quick Command Reference

• /gamemode <mode> — Change game mode | Both editions
• /give @s <item> — Give yourself any item | Both editions
• /tp @s <x y z> — Teleport to coordinates | Both editions
• /time set day/night — Change world time | Both editions
• /weather clear/rain/thunder — Change weather | Both editions
• /gamerule keep_inventory true — Keep items on death (Java 1.21.11+) | Java
• /gamerule keepinventory true — Keep items on death | Bedrock
• /gamerule keepInventory true — Keep items on death (Java 1.21.10 and older) | Older Java
• /gamerule mob_griefing false — Stop mob block damage (Java 1.21.11+) | Java
• /gamerule mobgriefing false — Stop mob block damage | Bedrock
• /kill @e — Kill all entities including players — use with extreme caution | Both editions
• /summon <entity> — Spawn any mob | Both editions
• /locate structure <name> — Find nearby structure | Both editions
• /locate biome <name> — Find nearby biome | Both editions
• /effect give @s <effect> <duration> <amplifier> — Apply effect | Java syntax
• /effect @s <effect> <duration> <amplifier> — Apply effect | Bedrock syntax
• /xp add @s <amount> levels — Add XP levels | Java syntax
• /xp <amount>L @s — Add XP levels | Bedrock syntax
• /advancement grant @s everything — Grant all advancements | Java only
• /function <name> — Run a function | Both editions
• /difficulty <level> — Change difficulty | Both editions

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Minecraft Unlockables — Achievements (Bedrock Edition)

Bedrock Edition has a full achievement system linked to your Microsoft/Xbox account. There are 133 achievements in the current version (136 trophies on PlayStation). Completing many of them rewards you with character creator cosmetics, emotes, and Gamerscore.

Requirements to Earn Bedrock Achievements

To earn Bedrock achievements, you need to play in a Survival world with cheats disabled, have an active internet connection, and be signed into your Microsoft account. The world must not have been switched to Creative mode, created as a flat world, or set up with any of the following settings that permanently disable achievements:

• Cheats enabled
• Creative mode used or saved
• Flat world type selected at world creation
• Experimental features or gameplay experiments activated
• External behaviour packs activated (non-Marketplace)
• Certain Marketplace world templates chosen by their creator to disable achievements

Once achievements are disabled for a world, switching the settings back does not restore them. The only fix is to create a new world or revert to a backup from before those settings were applied.

As of July 2025, achievements can be earned while using eligible Minecraft Marketplace add-ons. Non-Marketplace mods or external behaviour packs do not qualify for this exception.

On PlayStation, Bedrock achievements appear as PlayStation Network trophies.

How to View Your Bedrock Achievements

Go to the main menu and click your Profile. You will see your most recent achievements, plus completed, in-progress, and locked ones.

Key Bedrock Achievements to Unlock Early

• Getting Wood — pick up a log from the ground
• Benchmaking — pick up a crafting table from a crafting output
• Time to Mine! — craft a pickaxe
• Hot Topic — craft a furnace
• Acquire Hardware — smelt an iron ingot
• Time to Farm! — craft a hoe
• Bake Bread — craft bread from wheat
• Suit Up — craft a piece of armour
• Into the Nether — build a Nether Portal (see our Nether Portal guide)
• Return to Sender — destroy a Ghast with a fireball
• The End? — enter an End Portal
• The End. — defeat the Ender Dragon (our Ender Dragon guide covers this fully)
• Beaconator — create a full beacon (see our beacon guide)
• Sniper Duel — kill a skeleton from 50+ blocks away with an arrow
• The Beginning? — spawn the Wither
• The Beginning. — defeat the Wither (our Wither guide has everything you need)
• Free Diver — stay underwater for 2 minutes
• On A Rail — travel by minecart for at least 500 metres in one direction
• Overpowered — eat an enchanted golden apple
• Camouflage — defeat a mob while wearing its matching mob head

How to Unlock Free Minecraft Cosmetics with Achievements

Many Bedrock achievements reward you with free character creator items — capes, hats, emotes, hairstyles, and clothing. These are added to your Character Creator automatically when the achievement is earned. You do not need to claim them separately — just go to your Character Creator in the main menu and they will be there.

Some examples of rewards tied to achievements:

• Getting Wood → Lumberjack Shirt
• Benchmaking → Tool Belt Trousers
• Time to Mine! → Miner Headband
• Hot Topic → Furnace Mask face item
• Acquire Hardware → The Hammer emote
• Bake Bread → Chefs Hat
• Passing the Time → Very Long Hair (play for 100 Minecraft days)

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Minecraft Unlockables — Advancements (Java Edition)

Java Edition replaced the old achievement system in version 1.12 with advancements. There are currently 126 advancements across five categories. Unlike Bedrock achievements, advancements are tracked per world — each new world starts fresh.

The Five Advancement Categories

• Minecraft — 16 advancements. Unlocked when you first pick up a crafting table
• Nether — 23 advancements. Unlocked when you enter the Nether
• The End — 9 advancements. Unlocked when you enter the End
• Adventure — 47 advancements. Combat, exploration, and miscellaneous tasks
• Husbandry — 31 advancements. Farming, animals, food, and nature

An advancement tab will not appear in your menu until you have completed at least one advancement in that category.

Types of Advancements

• Regular advancements — standard milestones, no XP reward
• Goal advancements — slightly harder targets, no XP reward
• Challenge advancements — the toughest ones, shown with a pink frame. These reward XP on completion — some of the hardest challenges award as much as 1,000 XP.

Hidden Advancements in Java Edition

There are 9 hidden advancements that do not appear in your list until you complete them:

• How Did We Get Here?
• Voluntary Exile
• Hero of the Village
• Arbalistic
• You’ve Got a Friend in Me
• Smells Interesting
• Birthday Song
• Little Sniffs
• Planting the Past

Key Java Edition Advancements to Aim For

• Minecraft — have a crafting table in your inventory
• Stone Age — obtain cobblestone, blackstone, or cobbled deepslate by mining it with a pickaxe
• Getting an Upgrade — obtain a stone pickaxe
• Acquire Hardware — obtain an iron ingot
• Diamonds! — obtain a diamond (our diamond guide will help)
• We Need to Go Deeper — enter the Nether
• A Terrible Fortress — reach a Nether Fortress
• Hidden in the Depths — obtain Ancient Debris (our ancient debris guide will help)
• Cover Me in Debris — get a full set of Netherite armour (see upgrading to Netherite)
• Free the End — defeat the Ender Dragon
• Sky’s the Limit — find Elytra (our Elytra guide shows you exactly where)
• Isn’t It Iron Pick — obtain an iron pickaxe
• Enchanter — enchant an item using an enchanting table
• A Furious Cocktail — have all 17 potion effects active at once (a Challenge, rewards 100 XP)
• How Did We Get Here? — have all 34 listed status effects active at once (the hardest hidden Challenge, rewards 1,000 XP)
• A Complete Catalogue (Husbandry) — tame all cat variants
• Two by Two (Husbandry) — breed one of every breedable mob

How to Check Your Advancements in Java

Press L while in a world to open the Advancements screen directly. Or press Escape and click Advancements from the pause menu. A toast notification slides in from the top right of the screen whenever you complete one.

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Java vs Bedrock Unlockables — What’s Different

• Name: Java uses Advancements | Bedrock uses Achievements (Trophies on PS)
• Count: Java has 126 advancements | Bedrock has 133 achievements (136 trophies on PS)
• Tracking: Java tracks per world | Bedrock tracks per account across all worlds
• Rewards: Java advancements give no cosmetics | Bedrock achievements unlock character creator items and emotes
• XP / Score: Java challenge advancements reward XP | Bedrock achievements give Gamerscore
• Commands effect: Java advancements still unlock with commands on | Bedrock achievements permanently disabled when cheats are enabled
• Hidden list: Java has 9 hidden advancements | Bedrock does not have a hidden system
• Add-ons: N/A for Java | Bedrock achievements work with eligible Marketplace add-ons as of July 2025

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Useful Command Combinations for Unlockables

• /give @s totem_of_undying — instantly get a Totem of Undying (see our Totem of Undying guide)
• /give @s netherite_sword — get a Netherite sword
• /give @s wither_skeleton_skull 3 — get three Wither Skeleton Skulls to spawn the Wither (see how to spawn the Wither)
• /locate structure ancient_city — find the nearest Ancient City (also check our Ancient City guide)
• /locate structure bastion_remnant — find a Bastion (also see our Bastion Remnant guide)
• /effect give @s night_vision 9999 0 true (Java) / /effect @s night_vision 9999 0 true (Bedrock) — Night Vision I for 9,999 seconds. Or craft it with our Night Vision Potion guide.
• /effect give @s fire_resistance 9999 0 true (Java) / /effect @s fire_resistance 9999 0 true (Bedrock) — Fire Resistance for 9,999 seconds in the Nether. Or see our Fire Resistance Potion guide.

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FAQ: Minecraft Codes and Unlockables

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Conclusion

Minecraft commands give you enormous control over your world — from skipping the grind to testing builds, adjusting difficulty, or simply getting a specific item. The key is using the right syntax for your edition and version. Java and Bedrock differ on several important commands, and Java itself changed all gamerule names in the December 2025 update, so older tutorials may show commands that no longer work on current Java versions.

The unlockables side of the game is just as rewarding. Bedrock achievements pay you back with real cosmetics and Gamerscore for hitting milestones. Java advancements challenge you across five trees, with the hardest challenges offering significant XP rewards.

The most important rule for Bedrock players: if you want achievements, keep cheats off. That world flag is permanent and irreversible.

From here, explore our guides on making a beacon, all enchantments, brewing potions, and all potion recipes — many of these tie directly into key achievements and advancements you will want to unlock.

You can get Minecraft from the official Minecraft website, the Google Play Store for Android, or on Xbox.