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To use console commands in Half-Life 2, enable the developer console in the game’s keyboard settings, open it with the configured key, enter a command, and press Enter. For commands that require cheats, enter sv_cheats 1 first; save before experimenting, since a community command guide warns that achievement progress is not counted while cheats are enabled.
How to enable and open the developer console
Steam Support describes the console as “a text-based input/output interface to execute commands or change global settings in a game.” For most Valve titles, Steam documents this setup path:
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Half Life 2 - Xbox | $105.24 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Half-Life 2 (PC) | $24.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Half-Life 2: Raising the Bar | $189.98 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Half-Life 2 - PC | $18.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Half-Life 2: Episode Pack - PC | $14.99 | Buy on Amazon |
- Launch Half-Life 2 and open Options.
- Select Keyboard, then click Advanced.
- Check Enable developer console and select Apply.
- Open the console with the tilde (
~) key on an English/US keyboard configuration. If that key does not work on your layout, check or change the console binding in the keyboard settings.
Steam Support’s console instructions cover most Valve titles; labels and key behavior may vary with the game build or keyboard layout.
Start the game with the console enabled
On Steam, add -console to the game’s launch options to start with the developer console enabled. Steam also supports passing many commands at launch by prefixing them with +, but explicitly cautions that some commands cannot be used this way. Use the in-game console when a command does not take effect as a launch option.
#1 Best Overall
- Amazing new graphics with pre-rendered cutscenes that look like they came from the movies
- More realistic physics - Objects have varied and appropriate mass, density and physical properties
- Incredibly advanced AI as enemies adapt, plan, improvise, and respond
- Hordes of new aliens and other enemies, plus a plethora of new guns and weapons
See Steam’s launch-options instructions for the general behavior.
Useful Half-Life 2 console commands
The commands below are representative examples from a community-maintained guide updated April 13, 2025, not an exhaustive or official Valve command list. Availability, arguments, and whether cheats are required can depend on the build and context.
Rank #2
- Used Book in Good Condition
| Purpose | Command | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Enable cheats | sv_cheats 1 |
Enables cheat commands where required, according to the community guide. Use sv_cheats 0 to turn cheats off. |
| Invulnerability | god |
Makes the player invulnerable. |
| Fly or pass through walls | noclip |
Lets the player move through walls and fly. |
| Spawn a weapon | give weapon_name |
Gives a named weapon; replace weapon_name with the desired name. |
| Load a map | map map_name |
Loads a named map; replace map_name with the map name. |
| Bind a command to a key | bind key "command" |
Assigns a command to a key; replace the examples with the key and command you want. |
| Search commands | find word |
Searches command names and descriptions for a matching word. |
| Get a command hint | help command |
Requests a hint for a command, when one is available. |
To try one, open the console, type the command exactly, and press Enter. For a cheat-gated command, first enter sv_cheats 1. Save your game before changing settings or experimenting with cheats. The guide cautions that achievement progress is not counted while cheats are enabled; that warning is from the community guide and is not established here as a universal Valve policy across every build.
If a command fails, check its spelling and required arguments, then use the console’s own search or help. Note the game build when asking for help: the November 2024 anniversary update changed the game, and command behavior can vary by build or context.
Rank #3
Which Half-Life 2 build are you using?
Valve’s November 2024 anniversary update added Workshop support and developer commentary, fixed bugs, and made both episodes and Lost Coast accessible from the menu. The Valve Developer Community overview also notes that older mods may need compatibility work or a legacy build. If a command or mod behaves differently from instructions you find, identify whether you are using the anniversary-updated game or a legacy build before applying older guidance.
The Valve Developer Community’s Half-Life 2 overview summarizes the update and compatibility context.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Battle new alien foes.
- Drive new vehicles through new locations beyond City 17.
- Discover more about the award-winning story of Half-Life.
- Over 15 hours of award-winning single player gaming.
- Battle online with Half-Life 2: Deathmatch – included for no additional charge.
Rank #4
- Sequel to the hit first-person shooter
- Scientist-with-a-crowbar Gordon Freeman joins a ragtag human resistance fighting extradimensional invaders for the survival of a conquered Earth
- Unnervingly realistic graphics the likes of which have not been witnessed outside of a motion picture or pre-rendered cut scene
- Realistic physics: objects have varied and appropriate mass, density, physical properties
- For 1 player
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
