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Command block: commands in Minecraft

Commands in Minecraft

Commands are text instructions that you type into chat or into a command block. They let you change world settings, manage players and carry out advanced operations. Commands are an essential tool for server admins, adventure map creators and players in Creative mode.

This page is a section hub: it explains how commands work and leads to the two lists people use most often:

Last updated: October 22, 2026 (current for Minecraft Java Edition 26.3 and Bedrock Edition 26.50)

How to enter commands

To use a command in Minecraft, press T (chat) or / (opens chat with the slash already typed). Every command starts with the / character. In singleplayer, commands work automatically once you allow commands in the world (turn on cheats). On a server you need operator (OP) status or the right permissions granted by a plugin.

On servers running Bukkit, Spigot or Paper, you can configure permissions for individual commands with plugins such as LuckPerms. In Bedrock Edition on Realms, the owner can grant permissions through the world settings.

Differences between Java and Bedrock Edition

Command syntax differs between Java Edition and Bedrock Edition (Windows 10, Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, iOS, Android). Java Edition uses namespaced IDs (for example minecraft:diamond_sword), while Bedrock Edition often uses shorter names. Some commands exist in only one edition. For example, /execute works completely differently in the two editions. In the guides below we always mark the differences.

Target selectors

Many commands need a target: the player or entity the command should affect. These are the main selectors:

You can extend selectors with filters in square brackets. For example, @e[type=zombie,distance=..10] selects all zombies within 10 blocks.

Guides to the most important commands

Below you will find detailed guides to the most commonly used commands. Each one covers the full syntax for Java and Bedrock Edition, a description of the parameters, usage examples and practical tips. If you want everything in one table, check the complete command list.

Command Description Category
/gamemode Changes the game mode (survival, creative, adventure, spectator) Gameplay
/give Gives items to players with full control over item data Items
/teleport Teleports players and entities to the given coordinates Movement
/effect Gives and removes status effects (buffs and debuffs) Effects
/enchant Applies enchantments to the held item Enchantments
/fill Fills rectangular areas with blocks Building
/summon Summons mobs and entities with NBT data Entities
/worldborder Manages the world border (size, center, warnings) World
/kill Instantly kills entities, mobs and players, with selector filters Entities
/spawnpoint Sets a player's spawn point at a chosen position Player

Other useful commands

Besides the commands above, Minecraft has dozens of others. These are the ones people use most often:

We collected ready-made command sets to copy (items, effects, game rules) on the Minecraft cheats and commands page.

New and lesser-known commands

These commands were added in recent versions or rarely make it into guides. Each has its own page in the command catalog:

Two older commands have changed as well: /time works on world clocks since Java 26.1 (pausing and the speed of time), and /gamerule has used snake_case rule names since Java 1.21.11.

Command block

A command block is a special block that runs commands automatically, without a player. You can get one with the command /give @s command_block. There are three types of command blocks:

Command blocks are the basis for building adventure maps, minigames and advanced mechanisms on servers. Combined with the /fill command and /summon, they let you build complex mechanics without any mods or plugins.

Command permissions

In singleplayer, commands work if you turn on the Allow Commands option (Java) or Activate Cheats (Bedrock) when you create the world. If you forgot, on Java 26.3 and newer press Esc and turn on commands in World Options. On Java 26.2 you open the same World Options from the Options menu, and on Java 26.1 and older use Open to LAN with Allow Cheats turned on: commands then work until you close the world. You will find the details in the guide how to enable cheats in Minecraft.

On a Minecraft server, every operator (OP) has access to commands. An admin can grant OP status with the /op <player> command from the server console or through the ops.json file. On servers with plugins (Bukkit, Spigot, Paper) it pays off to use permission systems such as LuckPerms, which let you control exactly who has access to which commands.

In Bedrock Edition on Realms, the owner grants permissions through the world settings. On dedicated Bedrock servers, operators are added through the permissions.json file with the permission level "operator".

Functions and data packs

Advanced creators can combine commands into functions: text files with the .mcfunction extension that contain lists of commands that run together. Functions are placed in data packs and called with the /function <name> command. This lets you build complex mechanisms without using many command blocks: one file with hundreds of commands is enough.

Tips for beginners

Pick a command from the list above to read a detailed guide with syntax, parameters and usage examples. Looking for everything in one place? Open the complete command list or the cheat sheet with cheats and commands.