Quick Answer
Use debugtooltip in a non-Ironman PC Stellaris save to reveal IDs and internal information while hovering objects or interface elements. It is most useful for empire IDs, planet IDs, species IDs, leader IDs, ship or fleet IDs, and safe console-command testing. Always duplicate the save before using commands that change ownership, leaders, planets, ships, or diplomacy.
This guide explains how to use debugtooltip without guessing IDs or damaging a main campaign. It supports the main Stellaris console commands list and the console commands not working troubleshooting guide.
Source checked: Updated May 5, 2026 against the local Stellaris console commands article, the preferred Stellaris Paradox Wiki console commands page, and the local Stellaris audit. Direct wiki access may be blocked by tooling challenges, so use in-game help, autocomplete, and a current PC test save when exact command behavior matters.
Table of Contents
- What debugtooltip does
- How to use debugtooltip
- Empire, planet, species, leader, ship, and fleet IDs
- Safe testing workflow
- Common mistakes
- Example workflows
- When not to use commands
- FAQ
What Debugtooltip Does
debugtooltip toggles extra diagnostic information in Stellaris. When active, hovering an object or interface element can reveal IDs and internal names that other console commands need. It is not a cheat by itself, but it is usually used before commands that change game state.
| Use case | Why debugtooltip helps | Risk if you guess |
|---|---|---|
| Empire command | Reveals the empire ID you need for ownership or player-switch commands. | You may affect the wrong empire. |
| Planet command | Confirms the planet or celestial object target. | You may change the wrong planet or system. |
| Species command | Shows which species entry is being targeted. | You may modify the wrong species template. |
| Leader command | Helps identify the right scientist, admiral, governor, or ruler. | You may alter or remove the wrong leader. |
| Ship/fleet command | Helps confirm the object selected in space. | You may move, damage, or transfer the wrong fleet. |
How to Use Debugtooltip
Use debugtooltip only after you are in a safe test save. Some commands that follow it can be irreversible in a normal campaign.
| Step | Action | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Duplicate the save or create a new test save. | Protects your main campaign from command mistakes. |
| 2 | Confirm the save is non-Ironman on PC. | The command console is not for Ironman achievement runs. |
| 3 | Open the console with your keyboard shortcut. | Use the troubleshooting guide if the console will not open. |
| 4 | Enter debugtooltip. | Turns diagnostic hover information on. |
| 5 | Hover the object or interface element. | Find the ID before running the real command. |
| 6 | Write down the ID and object type. | Prevents mixing planet, empire, species, and leader IDs. |
| 7 | Run one command and verify the result. | Makes mistakes easier to isolate and undo. |
Empire, Planet, Species, Leader, Ship, and Fleet IDs
Different commands expect different IDs. A planet ID is not an empire ID. A species ID is not a leader ID. Most command mistakes come from finding a number with debugtooltip and using it in the wrong command context.
| ID type | Where to look | Command-user caution |
|---|---|---|
| Empire ID | Diplomacy screens, empire contacts, or relevant map/interface hover points. | Needed for commands that switch player, affect ownership, or target an empire. |
| Planet ID | Planet view, system map, or selected planet object. | Confirm the selected planet before running planet effects. |
| Species ID | Species screen or pop/species hover locations. | Species templates can be easy to mix up in multi-species empires. |
| Leader ID | Leader, council, fleet, science ship, or governor interface. | Leader mistakes can affect named characters you intended to keep. |
| Ship ID | Selected ship, fleet details, or space object hover. | Be careful with single-object effects and event testing. |
| Fleet/object ID | Fleet card, selected object, or system map hover. | Object commands can fail silently if the wrong thing is selected. |
Safe Testing Workflow
- Use a duplicate save, not your only campaign file.
- Pause before running any command that changes ownership, resources, ships, leaders, diplomacy, or planets.
- Run
debugtooltipand identify the target before typing the command. - Use the main Stellaris console commands guide for syntax.
- Run one command at a time, then inspect the result.
- Reload if the wrong target changed.
- Turn off
debugtooltipwhen finished so hover text does not clutter normal play.
Common Mistakes
| Mistake | What happens | Better habit |
|---|---|---|
| Using the first ID you see | The command targets the wrong object type. | Confirm the label, object, and command argument. |
| Testing in a main save | A bad command becomes part of the campaign. | Duplicate the save first. |
Leaving instant_build on | AI empires may benefit when time resumes. | Pause, use it briefly, turn it off, then unpause. |
| Ignoring mods | IDs, resources, or scripts do not match vanilla expectations. | Retest in an unmodded save. |
| Assuming old syntax is current | A command fails or behaves differently. | Use in-game help and current references. |
Example Workflows
Finding a Planet ID
- Pause the game and open the target system.
- Select or hover the planet.
- Turn on
debugtooltip. - Confirm the planet ID and planet name match your target.
- Run the command in the format required by the command guide.
Finding an Empire ID
- Open the contacts or diplomacy interface.
- Hover the empire information while
debugtooltipis active. - Record the empire ID and empire name together.
- Do not use it until you confirm the command expects an empire ID.
When Not to Use Commands
Commands are best for testing, screenshots, mod debugging, bug workarounds, and sandbox experiments. They are not the best way to learn a normal economy, diplomacy, or fleet progression. If you are using commands because the campaign is collapsing, read the Stellaris economy guide or beginner guide before rewriting the save.
Stellaris Debugtooltip FAQ
What does debugtooltip do in Stellaris?
It toggles diagnostic hover information that can reveal IDs and internal data used by console commands.
How do I turn debugtooltip off?
Open the console again and enter debugtooltip a second time. It is a toggle.
Why is my ID command not working?
You may be using the wrong ID type, wrong target, wrong syntax, or a command affected by patch/mod changes. Use the troubleshooting guide to narrow it down.
Can I use debugtooltip in Ironman?
Do not rely on console commands in Ironman. Use a non-Ironman PC test save for command and ID work.
Is debugtooltip safe?
The toggle itself is diagnostic, but the commands you run after finding IDs can permanently change a save. Duplicate the save before testing.
Where is the full Stellaris command list?
Use the Stellaris console commands and cheats list for command examples, resource commands, and broader console notes.