Quick answer
IRON NEST mixes keyboard actions with hands-on mouse interaction. Keyboard inputs handle specific actions and confirmations. Most gun-cab mechanisms—including traverse, elevation, and powder-charge setup—use physical controls that you look at, grab, and move with the mouse.
Default inputs can change after a game update, and your own bindings may differ. If an input below does not match your game, check the on-screen prompt and your current options first.
01
How Input Works
1. Look at the control
Aim your view at the valve, lever, dial, or other supported cab control you want to operate.
2. Grab and move it
Use the left mouse button to grab the control, then drag the mouse to manipulate it. These physical interactions handle much of the work inside the cab.
3. Make the fine adjustment
Use the mouse wheel on supported dials or controls when you need a smaller change. Follow the game’s on-screen feedback before confirming your next action.
02
Keyboard Actions
These are the default keyboard inputs verified in the current build on August 12, 2026. They are not permanent: game updates or personal changes can alter them.
Interact or activate
Press while looking at a supported control. The same action opens or toggles the map console view.
Pick up an item
Press when the item can be picked up.
Equip or remove the gas mask
Press to switch the gas mask state.
Confirm or continue
Press in supported in-game briefing or gun-calculator states. Hold when the game offers the option to skip a briefing.
Confirm an on-screen prompt
Press when a supported confirmation prompt appears.
03
Mouse Actions
Look around the gun cab
Move the mouse to change your view.
Operate physical controls
Grab a supported valve, lever, or physical control, then drag to manipulate it.
Measure on the map
Drag to use the map measurement interaction. For the full map task, open the tactical map guide.
Fine-adjust a control
Scroll while using a supported dial or control.
04
Controller Support
Steam lists Full Controller Support for IRON NEST. Its official store data also lists DualShock Controller Support and DualSense Controller Support. The supported desktop platform listed there is Windows.
This page does not assign keyboard actions to controller buttons. Controller prompts can depend on the device and your current bindings, so use the prompts shown in game for the active layout.
View the official Steam store page
- Controller support
- Full Controller Support
- PlayStation controllers
- DualShock Controller Support · DualSense Controller Support
- Listed desktop platform
- Windows
05
Rebinding and Settings
Bindings can be changed in the options menu. This confirms that binding changes are available; it does not mean that every action listed on this page has an individual binding.
- Mouse Sensitivity
- Controls how quickly the view moves with mouse input.
- Clamp mouse to valves
- Keeps the pointer attached to a control while you manipulate it.
- Additional Primary / Secondary Click
- Provides alternate or remappable primary and secondary interaction inputs.
- Hue Shift
- Changes the displayed color palette.
- V-Sync
- Synchronizes output with the display refresh to address screen tearing.
There is no single best value. Identify the relevant input or display setting, then test your change in game.
06
Common Setup Checks
If a control does not respond as expected:
- Read the current prompt. Look at a supported object and follow the input shown in game.
- Check your bindings. Compare the active options with this reference.
- Review the relevant setting. For mouse interaction, check
Mouse Sensitivity,Clamp mouse to valves, andAdditional Primary / Secondary Click. - Use the developer-published reports and feedback hub for persistent issues. Include your input device, attempted action, and the prompt shown in game. Follow the current reporting path listed in the hub instead of relying on an unconfirmed device-specific workaround.
07
Continue the Task
Controls are the first step. Choose the guide that matches your task.
First firing loop
Learn the core sequence from target information to operating the gun.
Start the firing loop →02Map measurement
Learn the map interaction used to measure ground distance.
Use the tactical map →03Spotter calculation
Turn observation information into a position with the planner.
Open the spotter calculator →04Mission learning path
Find the next mission-oriented reference without looking for answers on this page.
Browse mission guides →08
Frequently Asked Questions
Does IRON NEST support controllers?
Yes. Steam lists Full Controller Support, plus DualShock Controller Support and DualSense Controller Support. This page does not publish a button layout; use the current prompts shown in game for your device and active bindings.
Can I rebind controls in IRON NEST?
Yes. Bindings can be changed in the options menu. That does not confirm that every action has its own binding, so check the available entries in your current game build.
Why do many gun-cab actions not have a separate hotkey?
Most gun-cab mechanisms use physical controls. Look at the supported valve, lever, or dial, grab it with the left mouse button, and drag to manipulate it. Keyboard inputs cover specific actions and confirmations.
How do I measure distance on the map?
Use the interact action while looking at the map console to open or toggle its view, then use left mouse button plus drag on the map for the measurement interaction. See the tactical map guide for the complete task.
Do these default inputs apply to every build?
No. They were checked in the current build on August 12, 2026. Updates can change defaults, and personal bindings can differ. Follow the current in-game prompt when it conflicts with this page.
Source and last check
Controller and platform support details were checked against the official Steam store listing. Keyboard, mouse, interaction, rebinding, and settings details were checked in the current game build on August 12, 2026. Defaults may change after an update or differ from your personal bindings.
Official IRON NEST Steam store listing