Controls

input methods

inZOI uses keyboard and mouse with two movement styles: direct WASD control and point-and-click navigation. Left-click a spot on the ground and the active Zoi walks there automatically. Alternatively, hold W/A/S/D to walk in real time. Both methods work interchangeably in Play Mode.

Controller support has been discussed by the development team and is planned for a future update, but it is not available in the current Early Access build. The game was designed for keyboard and mouse input from the start.

play mode

Play Mode is the main gameplay view where you control your Zoi's daily life:

• W / A / S / D or left-click move the active Zoi. WASD gives direct control, clicking gives pathfinding.

• Shift + W/A/S/D run instead of walk. The Zoi moves at a faster pace.

• Space switch between Zois in the active household. Cycles through all playable family members.

• T toggle autonomy on/off. When autonomy is on, the Zoi makes their own decisions based on needs, traits, and preferences. When off, they only do what you tell them.

• Tab switch between shoulder view (close behind the Zoi) and top-down view (overhead perspective).

• Ctrl + Tab free camera mode. Detaches the camera from the Zoi entirely. Use Q and E to move the camera up and down in free camera mode.

• F focus the camera back on the active Zoi. Useful after panning away in free camera mode.

• Home / End toggle wall visibility. Cycles through full walls, half walls, and no walls.

• Page Up / Page Down change floor levels. Move between ground floor, upper stories, and basements.

• 0 pause, 1 1x speed, 2 1.5x speed, 3 3x speed, 4 5x speed. Higher speeds (up to 30x) are available via the speed slider in the bottom-left UI.

• M open City Map. Select landmarks for fast travel via public transit.

• P open smartphone. Access all phone apps including Pocket Market, Dream Car, and Messages.

• O open Zoi Card. View the active Zoi's traits, skills, emotions, and personal details.

• R open Relationships panel. View all known Zois and relationship status.

• I enter Build Mode. Switch from Play Mode to editing the property.

driving

When manually driving a car, motorcycle, scooter, or other vehicle (see transportation):

• W accelerate. Hold to maintain speed.

• S brake. Hold to slow down. If already stopped, press to reverse.

• A / D steer left and right.

• Left-click honk the horn.

• Tab switch camera perspective between behind-vehicle, overhead, and interior views.

Auto-drive is available for cars but not for scooters. When auto-driving, the Zoi handles steering and you only watch. Manual control gives you full WASD driving at any time. Only one vehicle can be owned at a time.

build mode

Controls for placing and editing furniture, walls, floors, and other objects in Build Mode:

• Z / C rotate the selected object left / right in 45-degree increments.

• Alt hold while placing to enable free placement, ignoring the grid. The object can be positioned at any angle and location within the lot boundaries.

• Shift + click continuous placement mode. Place multiple copies of the same object without reselecting it from the catalog each time.

• V select individual furniture. Click on a placed item to select it for moving, rotating, or deleting.

• R room selection mode. Click a room to select all furniture and surfaces in that room at once.

• G toggle grid visibility. Shows or hides the placement grid overlay.

• Delete remove the currently selected object. The Meow spent on it is refunded.

• Ctrl + Z undo the last action.

• Ctrl + Shift + Z redo a previously undone action.

• Page Up / Page Down switch between floor levels while building.

Create-a-Zoi

Controls inside the character creation editor:

• Left-click select body parts, facial features, and menu options.

• Left-click + drag adjust the size, shape, or position of selected features. Drag on cheeks to widen them, drag on the nose to reshape it, etc.

• Right-click + drag rotate the camera around the Zoi model.

• Mouse wheel zoom in and out on the Zoi.

• Ctrl + Shift + U hide all UI elements for an unobstructed view of the character.

photo mode

Camera controls when using Photo Mode:

• W / A / S / D move the camera in 3D space (forward, left, backward, right).

• Q / E move the camera up / down.

• Left-click + drag adjust the camera position with finer control.

• Right-click + drag rotate the camera angle.

• Mouse wheel zoom in and out.

• Home / End change wall visibility for interior shots.

• Ctrl + Shift + U hide the UI for a clean screenshot.

cheat shortcuts

With cheats enabled:

• Ctrl + Shift + C open/close the cheat console.

• Ctrl + T, then right-click teleport the active Zoi to the clicked location.

• Alt (while placing furniture), free placement bypassing grid snapping.

customizing controls

Hotkey customization was added in the October 2025 update. Go to ESC > Options > Controls to view and rebind keys. Most actions can be reassigned to different keys. Some system shortcuts (like Ctrl + Shift + C for the cheat console) cannot be rebound.