CK3 Console Commands & Cheats: Complete Guide 2026

Q: How do I open the CK3 console once debug is on?

Press ~ (QWERTY), § (QWERTZ) or ² (AZERTY). Fallback: Shift + Alt + C . The console appears at the bottom of the screen.

Q: How do I add gold to my character in CK3?

Use gold [amount] after selecting your character. Example: gold 1000 adds 1000 gold to your personal treasury.

Q: How do I switch to another character mid-game?

Use play [character_ID] . You can find the ID by hovering over a character in debug mode (F11 is sometimes useful too).

Q: How do I kill a specific character?

kill [ID] removes the character. More dramatic version: die [ID] .

Q: How do I add a trait to a character?

add_trait [trait_id] [ID] . Trait examples: brave , cruel , wise , genius , giant . Full list on the Paradox wiki.

Crusader Kings III is a medieval dynastic grand strategy game where the complexity of family, religious and diplomatic intrigues can quickly turn labyrinthine. CK3 console commands let you test scenarios, unblock situations, or simply bend the rules for fun. Here’s the complete guide updated for 2026.

Enable CK3 debug mode (mandatory)

Unlike EU4 and HOI4, the CK3 console is not enabled by default. You must first enable debug mode:

On Steam

Right-click Crusader Kings III in your library
Properties → General tab
Launch Options: type -debug_mode (with the dash)
Confirm and launch

On GOG

Create a game shortcut and append -debug_mode to the target.

Verification

On launch, a message in the top right confirms debug mode. Steam achievements are disabled while this flag is present on any save.

Opening the console

Once in debug mode, in-game:

US/UK QWERTY: ~
German QWERTZ: §
French AZERTY: ²
Fallback: Shift + Alt + C

The console appears at the bottom of the screen.

Essential CK3 console commands

Personal resources

Goal	Command
Add gold	`gold [amount]`
Add prestige	`add_prestige [amount]`
Add piety	`add_piety [amount]`
Add dynasty renown	`add_dynasty_renown [amount]`
Add stress	`add_stress [amount]`

Character and family

Goal	Command
Play as another character	`play [ID]`
Observer mode	`observe`
Add trait	`add_trait [trait] [ID]`
Remove trait	`remove_trait [trait] [ID]`
All lifestyle perks	`gain_all_perks [ID]`
Impregnate a woman	`pregnancy [mother_ID] [father_ID]`
Kill a character	`kill [ID]`
Alternative “murder”	`die [ID]`

Titles and lands

Goal	Command
Grant a title	`give_title [title] [ID]`
Add claim	`add_claim [title]`
Kill all soldiers	`kill_soldiers [ID]`
Fill domain treasury	`instabuild`

Schemes and intrigue

Goal	Command
Discover all schemes against you	`know_schemes`
Cancel all schemes against you	`end_schemes`
Change sexuality	`set_sexuality [id] [ID]`

Events and debug

Goal	Command
Trigger event	`event [event_id] [ID]`
Test event without triggering	`testevent [event_id] [ID]`
List commands	`help`
Reload interface	`reloadinterface`
Clean screenshot (hide UI)	`cache`

Star commands

`gain_all_perks`

Grants all 15+ perks of every lifestyle (martial, diplomacy, stewardship, intrigue, learning). Your character becomes literally an omnipotent genius.

`add_trait giant`

Adds the “giant” trait (legendary). Character stands 2m+ and gains absurd military bonuses. Variant: add_trait beauty_good_3 for maximum beauty.

`play [ID]`

Switch to any character in the game — even an infant, a beggar, a pope. Ideal for “what if I were born a peasant in 867?” scenarios.

3 CK3 alternate-history scenarios

Byzantine Renaissance — play the Byzantine emperor in 867, gain_all_perks, gold 9999, and reconquer the Roman Empire.
Dynasty of geniuses — Use add_trait genius on every generation + pregnancy to force the most advantageous dynastic marriages.
Accelerated Mongol conquest — play Genghis Khan in 1190, add_prestige 9999, gain_all_perks, and see how far you can go.

Mods that extend cheats

Cheat Menu — GUI for all commands (Steam Workshop).
More Bookmarks+ — more starting points, useful with cheats for historical scenarios.
Character Editor — direct character editing without console commands.

Conclusion

CK3 cheats are particularly rich thanks to the character-centric nature of the game. Between traits, schemes, lifestyles and dynasty, you can literally write your own medieval sagas. Price: Steam achievements disabled while -debug_mode is active.

For Paradox’s full list, the official CK3 wiki is the ultimate reference.

FAQ

How do I enable debug mode in Crusader Kings III?

On Steam: right-click the game → Properties → General tab → Launch Options → add -debug_mode. Launch the game. Without this flag, the console is disabled.

How do I open the CK3 console once debug is on?

Press ~ (QWERTY), § (QWERTZ) or ² (AZERTY). Fallback: Shift + Alt + C. The console appears at the bottom of the screen.

Do CK3 cheats disable Steam achievements?

Yes. In debug mode, achievements are disabled. Launch without -debug_mode to re-enable them.

How do I add gold to my character in CK3?

Use gold [amount] after selecting your character. Example: gold 1000 adds 1000 gold to your personal treasury.

How do I switch to another character mid-game?

Use play [character_ID]. You can find the ID by hovering over a character in debug mode (F11 is sometimes useful too).

How do I kill a specific character?

kill [ID] removes the character. More dramatic version: die [ID].

How do I add a trait to a character?

add_trait [trait_id] [ID]. Trait examples: brave, cruel, wise, genius, giant. Full list on the Paradox wiki.