Half-Life Console Command and Variable Categories

All Half-Life console commands and variables have been divided up into 15 categories to help you find what you need quickly. Check the list below for a description of each category, then click on the name of the categorized list you'd like to see. At the very least, make sure you check out the Tweaks category for all the settings that can affect your FPS and lag!

If you want to look up a certain command or variable alphabetically, or use your browser's search function (usually CTRL-F) to look for key words in the descriptions, see the complete alphabetical list

Audio
Audio commands and variables control the sound system (both in-game and cd-audio). Anything related to your soundcard or quality settings (that may affect overall performance) is here.

Cheats
There are just a few, and each must be preceeded by a '/' in the console (and sv_cheats must be 1) to use. Many people report difficulties getting any of these to work (but especially the impulse 101), but many people do get them to work just fine. I don't know what the problem is if you've tried everything here, so please don't email me and ask. Besides, you don't need them for TFC :)

Controls
These commands are those most likely to be bound to keys -- they control your player (and your interface to your player and other players). Some of these commands are class-specific (i.e. will only work for the engineer class), but most are global, and should be set in your autoexec.cfg file.

Demo Utilities
Given Half-Life's relatively extensive set of built-in demo recording, editing, and playback tools, I'm surprised there aren't more really good demos floating about the net (I'd make a page for them if there were). 

Developer
These are commands and variables that the vast majority of users will never need to change or even know about. Unless you're making a mod or your own maps, don't even bother with these.

Joystick
Commands and variables related to your joystick (please consider switchin go the mouse). The readme.txt that was installed with Half-Life contains complete descriptions of all joystick commands -- why bother to repeat them in detail here?

Miscellaneous
These commands and variables are ones you'll probably never use again once you finish the single-player game (except for quit or exit, of course). Oh, I dunno, snapshot is pretty handy too. But how often do you need to check your version or actually save a game?

Mouse
Commands and variables related to your mouse. Know them all.

Network and Multiplayer
The most important set of commands and variables I have to offer. Learn these; bind most of them to keys, and use them to tweak your multiplayer game to the maximum performance level.

Old and Outdated
Old, outdated commands that no longer function in the latest versions (1.0.0.9+) of Half-Life. Included here for reference only.

Preferences
Basically a list of things you'll set once and leave alone forever (with the defaults being perfect for most people).

Script Making
These commands are useful for writing scripts. Note that these are not the only commands you can use in a script -- you can use any console command or variable in a script. These are the commands that really have no other purpose than script-making. If you're writing some scripts, be sure to check out the Controls and Net categories too.

Server Options
These commands and variables are mostly used only by those who run servers. While some of the commands can be executed by clients on a server (i.e. not the host), it's a server operator who is most likely to use these (I think).

Tweaks!
These are all of the console commands and variables that can affect your video or network performance. If you're looking for settings that can help increase your FPS or reduce lag, this is it. Although some of the settings listed here are "free" improvements (such as r_mmx 1), most of them involve a trade-off between visual quality and speed. But, in many cases you may not notice or care about the difference in quality, so it may be worth it to you to gain the extra speed. I suggest trying each and save the ones you like best in your autoexec.cfg file. Remember that some video and sound changes will not take effect until the game restarts, so if a change appears to do nothing, try putting it in your autoexec.cfg file and restarting. See the console help if you need it. 

Unknown
I have no idea what these commands do despite all testing attempts. If you know one, please send it in.

Video
The all-important video console variables -- use these to find the best tradeoff between performance and quality and leave them alone. Or, use these to make scripts to change your settings on-the-fly. Know one I don't? Send it in