Controls in Romestead are built around keyboard and mouse, with official controller support for Xbox and PlayStation 5 controllers added in patch 0.23.1_3 and full controller support through Steam Input added in version 0.26.1 on 31 August 2026. Many bindings can be remapped from the in-game options menu. Some defaults are worth memorizing because they are heavily used.
Movement and Camera
Action | Default |
|---|---|
Move | W A S D |
Sprint | Shift (energy cost; see Energy Potion) |
Dodge | Space or right-click depending on context |
Look / aim | Mouse |
Interact | E (default) |
Pickup heavy object | E (hold) |
Throw object | Left-click while holding |
Combat
Action | Default |
|---|---|
Light attack | Left mouse button |
Charged attack | Hold left mouse button |
Block (with shield) | Right mouse button |
Bow / crossbow aim | Right mouse button |
Bow / crossbow shoot | Left mouse button after aim |
Cycle hotbar | Mouse wheel / 1-0 keys |
Use consumable | Number key on hotbar |
World and UI
Action | Default |
|---|---|
Open World Map 2.0 | N (patch 0.20.1_14) |
Open inventory | Tab or I |
Open journal / quest log | J |
Open Altar UI | Interact at the Altar |
Empty a Bucket onto farmland | E with Bucket equipped (patch 0.22.1_7) |
Building Mode
Action | Default |
|---|---|
Open build menu | B |
Confirm placement | Left mouse button |
Rotate placement | R (Watermill rotation hotkey, patch 0.19.2_7) |
Cancel placement | Right mouse button or Esc |
Swap construction subcategory | Mouse wheel (patch 0.19.2_7) |
Remove a construction site | Right-click on it (patch 0.19.2_7) |
Drag rectangles or lines of sites | Drag with left mouse button (patch 0.19.2_7) |
Citizens
Action | Default |
|---|---|
Open citizen panel | Interact with the Town Core |
Open gifting menu | Right-click on a citizen (patch 0.23.3_1) |
Assign job | Click an empty building slot on the citizen panel |
Chat Commands
}worldseed: show the current world seed in chat (patch 0.18.1_2).
Controller Support
Official Xbox and PlayStation 5 controller support with remappable bindings was added in patch 0.23.1_3, before Early Access. Full controller support is not the same thing; it shipped through Steam Input in the Autumn Update (version 0.26.1) on 31 August 2026. The keybinding-change unsigned controller bug was fixed in patch 0.19.2_4. Many buttons can be remapped via the options menu. Controller UI crash fixes landed in patch 0.19.2_2.
At launch only partial controller support was live: a release-build setting briefly treated controllers as mouse and keyboard, which has since been fixed. Full integration through native Steam Input arrived with version 0.26.1, which the studio called the first official support for Steam Input; the store page now lists full controller support, DualShock and DualSense controller support, and Steam Input API support.
Steam Input Follow-Ups
The patches after the Autumn Update adjusted the controller setup and restored several rebinding options. Version 0.26.1 itself also fixed the game accepting input while it was not focused and the Alt+Enter fullscreen toggle.
Patch | Binding and controller change |
|---|---|
0.26.1_3 (1 September 2026) | Quick Heal action added back and placed in the Steam Input action manifest. Re-bindable movement keys and UI navigation keys added back. |
0.26.1_4 (2 September 2026) | Fixes to the Loot All and Quick Stack actions. Players who had changed their Steam Input layouts were advised to reset them to the recommended templates. A Deposit All button was added to inventories. Furniture mode shift button fixed. |
0.26.1_5 (released 3 September, notes 4 September 2026) | Movement in the Construction, Logistics and Furniture modes can be re-bound on PC. Construction camera movement buttons can be re-bound. |
One announced change should not be assumed. On 18 August 2026 the studio said the Autumn Update would remove the Press R Furniture Mode toggle, so that furniture such as workbenches and barricades could be picked up by holding the interact button. The published 0.26.1 change log does not list that change, and patches 0.26.1_4 and 0.26.1_5 still refer to a Furniture mode, so check the toggle in-game rather than relying on the announcement. See Decoration and Furniture for furniture handling.
Steam Deck
Romestead had no official Steam Deck verification badge at launch and became Steam Deck Verified on 18 September 2026; the store's compatibility report notes that external controllers are not supported for the primary player on the Deck. Demo-era reports were broadly positive, and a Steam Deck crash was patched in 0.20.1_24. See System Requirements for hardware notes.
A launch-week hotfix raised the maximum UI scaling on Steam Deck to 3 to make the interface more legible. Full controller support arrived with version 0.26.1, and patch 0.26.1_6 (4 September 2026) fixed dialogue option positioning on the Deck and other narrow UI widths.
Customization Notes
Several quality-of-life keybind features landed across the late-playtest patches:
Confirmation required when buying favors at the Altar (patch 0.21.1_3) prevents accidental spends.
War declaration confirmation (patch 0.20.2_8) prevents misclicks during faction conflict.
Favor window can be moved with the mouse (patch 0.21.1_3).
Character creation hair and eyes text fields had a typing-fix patch (0.20.2_1) to support Asian character text entry.
Accessibility
Beartwigs has stated that future patches will improve accessibility features. Players who need a specific bind unmapped or rebound should check the in-game options menu first, and report missing options through the official Discord and Steam discussion board.
Related Pages
Getting Started: common early-game keybinds.
Settlements and Buildings: building-mode actions.
Multiplayer and Co-Op: how to invite friends.