How to Use a Command Block in Minecraft

This Minecraft tutorial explains how to use a command block including how to program it with screenshots and step-by-step instructions.

In Minecraft, you can execute amazing and complex commands with a command block. Command blocks are not available in all versions of the game.

command block

Let's explore how to use a command block in Minecraft.

Required Materials

In Minecraft, these are the required materials to use a command block:

Steps to Use a Command Block

1. Place the Command Block in Creative Mode

Before you can program and use the command block, you need to place the command block on the ground. It is important to note that you need to be in Creative mode to place the command block on the ground.

TIP: Although you can activate and use a command block in Survival mode (once placed), you must be in Creative mode to place the command block on the ground from your hotbar.

Once in Creative mode, position your pointer (the plus sign) on the block where you want to place the command block. You should see the block become highlighted in your game window.

how to use command block

Right click on the mouse to place the command block.

how to use command block

You should now see the command block on the ground.

2. Add a Redstone Device

Next, you need to add a redstone device next to the command block. You can use any redstone device such as a lever, pressure plate, or button to activate the command block:

Lever

Pressure Plate

Button

The redstone device should be placed within one block of the command block. If the redstone device is too far away from the command block, it will not activate the command block.

In this example, we are going to use a lever and place it one block to the right of the command block.

Select the lever in your hotbar. Then position your pointer (the plus sign) on the block where you want to place the lever.

how to use command block

You should now see the lever on the ground next to the command block.

how to use command block

3. Program the Command Block

The next step is to program the command block. This means that you will add a command that will be run when the command block is activated.

Stand in front of the command block with your pointer (the plus sign) on the command block and click on the right mouse button.

how to use command block

This will bring up the programming console for the command block.

how to use command block

Type your command in the "Console Command" text box.

how to use command block

In this example, we have entered the following command:

time set day
TIP: When you enter a command in the "Console Command" box, you do not have to enter the / character at the start of the command. It is optional.

When you are finished entering the command, click on the Done button.

how to use command block

You will see the message "Command set: xxx" appear in the lower left corner of the game window, where xxx is the command that you just entered.

4. Activate the Command Block

Now that you have programmed the command block, you can activate it whenever you want and as often as you like. To activate the command block, just activate the redstone device that is attached to the command block.

In this example, the redstone device is a lever. So you would activate the command block by toggling the lever.

To activate the command block:

  • If the redstone device is a lever, you need to toggle the lever.
  • If the redstone device is a button, you need to push the button.
  • If the redstone device is a pressure plate, you need to stand on the pressure plate.

how to use command block

To toggle the lever, position your pointer on the lever and right click the mouse button.

how to use command block

You will see the lever move and a message will appear in the lower left corner of the game window displaying the command that was run by the command block. Because you used a lever in this example, you will need to toggle the lever back before you can activate the command block again.

Congratulations, you just learned how to use a command block in Minecraft. It's just that easy!

Command Block Programs

Here are some command block programs that you can try: