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Commands

How to Use the /execute Command

/execute is the most powerful command in Minecraft because it reshapes the context for any other command. Learn to read the clause chain, as @a at @s run …, and you can run anything from anyone, anywhere.

server console, survival
>/execute as @a at @s run particle flame ~ ~1 ~
as @arun once per online player
at @sexecute at that player's position
runthe command to perform
[Server] Executed 4 times for 4 entities
<Notch> nice particles
[12:04:09] [Server thread/INFO]: tick ok
Read it like a sentence
  1. 1
    Start with /execute
    Type /execute on its own. It does nothing yet, it is a wrapper that changes the context for the command you attach at the end.
  2. 2
    Add an “as” clause
    as @a sets the executor to every online player, one run each. Use @e[type=zombie] or @p to target other entities instead.
  3. 3
    Add an “at” clause
    at @s moves the execution position to wherever the current executor stands, so relative ~ ~ ~ coords resolve from them.
  4. 4
    Filter with conditionals
    Chain if/unless to gate the command, e.g. if block ~ ~-1 ~ minecraft:water before the run clause.
  5. 5
    End with run
    run is always last. Everything after it is the actual command: run tp @s ~ ~5 ~ or run particle flame ~ ~1 ~.

What you need

Command block or chat
as / at clauses
@s & @a selectors
run subcommand

Quick answers

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What does /execute actually do?

It runs another command in a modified context, a different executor (as), position (at), rotation (rotated), or dimension (in). The command after run is what runs.
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What is the difference between as and at?

as changes WHO runs the command (@s and selectors update). at changes WHERE it runs from (relative coords and ^ local coords resolve there). You usually want both: as @a at @s.
?

What does @s mean inside /execute?

@s refers to the current executor of that clause. After as @a, @s is each individual player in turn, which is why as @a at @s is the standard player loop.
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Can I chain more than one condition?

Yes. Stack as many if and unless clauses as you like before run, e.g. /execute as @a if entity @s[scores={kills=1..}] run say got a kill.
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What replaced the old /execute syntax?

Since Java 1.13 the command uses subcommands (as, at, run) instead of the legacy /execute <target> <pos> <command> form. Old syntax no longer works.
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How do I store a result in a scoreboard?

Use store: /execute store result score @s health run data get entity @s Health writes the command's output into a fakeplayer or score.

/execute at a glance

Syntax

/execute <subcommand> ... run <command>

Who may run it

OP (L2)

What it does

Modifies the execution context of a command. Supports changing the executor, position, dimension, rotation,…

Three things /execute is actually used for

/execute as @a run give @s minecraft:bread 3
Runs the give once per player, so everyone ends up with three bread rather than one player getting it all.
/execute at @a run setblock ~ ~-1 ~ minecraft:glass
Puts a glass block under every player, each at their own position, because at moves the position to the target.
/execute if block ~ ~-1 ~ minecraft:water run say standing on water
Only runs the second command when the condition holds, which is how conditional logic works without a datapack.

Every command with its full argument list lives in the command reference.

Blocks and items in this guide

Potion in MinecraftPotionTarget in MinecraftTarget

All 2 of these are named in the guide above, starting with Potion. Look them up in the item database.

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