Command Input System

Overview

The .cmd file defines how player inputs are translated into character actions. It maps button sequences and joystick motions to named commands, then uses Statedef -1 to detect those commands and trigger state transitions.

.cmd File Structure

A .cmd file has four sections:

•[Remap] -- Button remapping
•[Defaults] -- Default timing values
•[Command] blocks -- Input definitions
•[Statedef -1] -- Command detection logic

Input Notation

Directional Inputs

code

U  = Up          UF = Up-Forward     UB = Up-Back
F  = Forward     B  = Back
D  = Down        DF = Down-Forward   DB = Down-Back

Important: F (Forward) and B (Back) are RELATIVE to the character's facing direction. If facing right, F = right. If facing left, F = left. The engine handles this automatically.

Button Inputs

code

x = Light Punch      a = Light Kick
y = Medium Punch     b = Medium Kick
z = Heavy Punch      c = Heavy Kick
s = Start button

Input Modifiers

code

~  = Release (button must be released)
~30 = Hold for 30 ticks then release (charge moves)
$  = Direction held (4-way only: $F, $B, $U, $D)
/  = Hold button while pressing next input
>  = Must be pressed immediately after previous (no other inputs between)
+  = Press simultaneously (x+y = press x and y together)

Motion Examples

Quarter Circle Forward (QCF): ~D, DF, F, x

•Release D, then through DF to F, then press x
•The ~ on D means D must be released (was previously held)

Dragon Punch (DP / Forward-Down-DownForward): ~F, D, DF, x

•Classic "Z-motion" or Shoryuken input

Half Circle Back (HCB): ~F, DF, D, DB, B, x

•Roll stick from forward to back

Full Circle (360): ~F, DF, D, DB, B, UB, U, UF, x

•Grappler command grab input

Charge Back-Forward: ~30B, F, x

•Hold back for 30 ticks (~0.5 seconds), then press forward + button

Charge Down-Up: ~30D, U, x

•Hold down for 30 ticks, then press up + button

Double Tap Forward (Dash): F, F

•Press forward twice quickly

Button Combination: x+y

•Press both simultaneously

Button Release: ~x

•Release x button (for negative edge)

Command Block Format

ini

[Command]
name = "QCF_x"           ; Name referenced in Statedef -1
command = ~D, DF, F, x   ; The actual input sequence
time = 20                 ; Ticks allowed to complete (default from [Defaults])
buffer.time = 1           ; Input buffer (default from [Defaults])

Command Timing

•time: Total ticks allowed to complete the entire motion (default: 15)
•buffer.time: Ticks the completed command stays active (default: 1)
•Higher time = more lenient input (easier for beginners)
•Standard values: Simple moves 15, Specials 20, Supers 30, 360 motions 40

Statedef -1: Command Detection

Statedef -1 runs EVERY tick and checks which commands are active, then transitions to the appropriate state.

Priority Order (CRITICAL)

Commands must be ordered from MOST COMPLEX to LEAST COMPLEX:

•Super moves (most complex inputs, highest priority)
•Special moves (motion inputs)
•Command normals (direction + button)
•Normal attacks (single button)
•Movement (directional only)

This prevents simple inputs from "eating" complex ones. If you check light punch (just x) before dragon punch (F,D,DF,x), pressing x during the dragon punch motion would trigger light punch instead.

Statedef -1 Pattern

ini

[Statedef -1]

; --- SUPER MOVES (Level 3) ---
[State -1, Super Fireball]
type = ChangeState
value = 3000
triggerall = command = "QCF_QCF_x"    ; Double QCF + x
triggerall = power >= 1000            ; Requires 1 bar
triggerall = statetype != A           ; Not airborne
trigger1 = ctrl                       ; Has control
trigger2 = stateno = 200 && movecontact  ; Cancel from light punch

; --- SPECIAL MOVES ---
[State -1, Dragon Punch]
type = ChangeState
value = 1000
triggerall = command = "DP_x"
triggerall = statetype != A
trigger1 = ctrl
trigger2 = stateno = [200, 250] && movecontact  ; Cancel from normals

[State -1, Fireball]
type = ChangeState
value = 1100
triggerall = command = "QCF_x"
triggerall = statetype != A
trigger1 = ctrl
trigger2 = stateno = [200, 250] && movecontact

; --- NORMAL ATTACKS ---
[State -1, Light Punch]
type = ChangeState
value = 200
triggerall = command = "x"
triggerall = statetype = S            ; Standing
trigger1 = ctrl

[State -1, Crouch Light Punch]
type = ChangeState
value = 400
triggerall = command = "x"
triggerall = statetype = C            ; Crouching
trigger1 = ctrl

Cancel System

Cancels allow interrupting one move into another on hit/block:

ini

; Cancel from light into medium
trigger2 = stateno = 200 && movecontact

; Cancel from any normal into special
trigger2 = stateno = [200, 299] && movecontact

; Cancel from special into super
trigger2 = stateno = [1000, 1999] && movehit

Common Command Definitions

Standard 6-Button Fighter Commands

ini

; Quarter Circle Forward (Fireball)
[Command]
name = "QCF_x"
command = ~D, DF, F, x
time = 20

[Command]
name = "QCF_y"
command = ~D, DF, F, y
time = 20

[Command]
name = "QCF_z"
command = ~D, DF, F, z
time = 20

; Dragon Punch (Shoryuken)
[Command]
name = "DP_x"
command = ~F, D, DF, x
time = 20

[Command]
name = "DP_y"
command = ~F, D, DF, y
time = 20

; Half Circle Back (Grab/Command Throw)
[Command]
name = "HCB_x"
command = ~F, DF, D, DB, B, x
time = 25

; Double QCF (Super)
[Command]
name = "QCF_QCF_x"
command = ~D, DF, F, D, DF, F, x
time = 30

; Charge Back-Forward
[Command]
name = "charge_BF_x"
command = ~30B, F, x
time = 20

; Simple buttons
[Command]
name = "x"
command = x

[Command]
name = "y"
command = y

[Command]
name = "z"
command = z

[Command]
name = "a"
command = a

[Command]
name = "b"
command = b

[Command]
name = "c"
command = c

[Command]
name = "start"
command = s

; Direction + button (command normals)
[Command]
name = "fwd_y"
command = /F, y

; Dash
[Command]
name = "FF"
command = F, F
time = 10

[Command]
name = "BB"
command = B, B
time = 10

AI Command Detection

For AI opponents, you can define AI activation commands:

ini

[Command]
name = "AI_1"
command = D, D, D, D, D, D, D, D, D  ; Impossible for human
time = 1                               ; 1 tick (impossible timing)

[Command]
name = "AI_2"
command = U, U, U, U, U, U, U, U, U
time = 1

Then in Statedef -1:

ini

[State -1, AI Activate]
type = VarSet
trigger1 = command = "AI_1"
trigger2 = command = "AI_2"
var(59) = 1    ; AI flag

Tips

•Always provide alternate input shortcuts for complex motions
•Keep command.time generous (15-20) for special moves
•Order Statedef -1 entries from complex to simple
•Use triggerall = statetype to prevent wrong-state attacks
•Use movecontact for cancel windows, movehit for hit-confirms
•Test inputs on both P1 (right-facing) and P2 (left-facing) sides
•Include AI commands for computer opponents
•Duplicate commands with different buttons (QCF_x, QCF_y, QCF_z)