Looking for Hollow Knight: Silksong “cheats”? There’s a real, built-in code — but it makes the game tougher, not easier — and there are community-made PC trainers that can bend the rules. Here’s what actually works, how to trigger it, and what to watch out for if you’re on PC.

The one built-in “cheat” unlocks permadeath

Silksong hides a title-screen input that enables Steel Soul, the game’s permadeath mode, without having to finish a run first. It’s a twist on the classic Konami pattern and it only works from the main menu.

  • From the title screen, open Extras.
  • On a controller D‑pad, enter the sequence quickly (about two seconds or less):
Up, Down, Up, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right
  • If accepted, the Extras screen briefly flashes and plays a chime.
  • Start a new save; the Steel Soul option appears before you begin.

Steel Soul means no respawns: benches won’t bring you back, and a death wipes the save file. Use a separate slot if you want to keep a standard playthrough alongside it. If you’re aiming for maximum stakes from the jump, this is the sanctioned way to get there.

A small, handy secret: summon Shakra

If you’ve progressed past the cartographer twice, you may find Shakra in Bone Bottom, to the right side of town. Need her but she’s not present? Strike the ring where she usually sits to call her over. It’s a small trick that can save a backtrack when you need a map or markers.

PC trainers exist — here’s what they do and the tradeoffs

Within days of launch, community trainers and Cheat Engine tables appeared for the PC version. Typical toggles include invulnerability (“godmode”), infinite silk, unlimited jumps, cooldown removals, movement speed edits, instant map unlocks, and even no‑clip. Some tools also expose editors to change health, currency, dash speed, or game speed on the fly.

These can be useful for experimentation, accessibility needs, or sandboxing after you’ve cleared the game. But they come with real caveats:

  • Unsigned executables are often flagged by browsers or antivirus. That’s common for hobby tools, but it’s still a trust decision.
  • Game updates can break scripts; some tables note crashes if you quit to menu while a cheat remains active. Read notes carefully and disable features before exiting.
  • Platform compatibility varies. A trainer built for a specific Steam build may not work on Game Pass or GOG without an update.
  • Achievement tampering and memory edits can desync or corrupt saves. Back up your save folder before tinkering.
  • Keep it offline and single‑player. Even if Silksong is a solo experience, modifying a game process while connected can trigger anti‑cheat heuristics in other software.

Bottom line: community tools can lower the difficulty or let you toy with systems, but they’re unsanctioned and fragile. If you try them, proceed cautiously, expect breakage after patches, and always protect your saves.

Who should try Steel Soul, and who shouldn’t

If you’re learning Silksong’s momentum and mobility, Steel Soul is a punishing place to start — a single mistake can cost hours. Veterans who want an early adrenaline spike and clear personal goals from the first session will appreciate the mode unlocked by the code. New players will likely get more from a standard run first: you’ll discover biomes, tools, and boss patterns without risking a wiped file.

Tips if you’re stuck (without external cheats)

  • Use the Shakra summon trick when you need mapping support and don’t want to leave an area.
  • Treat new biomes like recon: push a boundary, unlock a shortcut, then bank progress at a bench.
  • Prioritize early survivability upgrades and tool familiarity over raw speed; small routing wins compound quickly.
  • If a miniboss walls you, explore lateral paths to pick up resources or traversal options before re-engaging.

Common questions

Does Silksong have classic “make it easier” codes? No official codes lower the difficulty. The only known menu input unlocks Steel Soul, which raises the stakes.

Can I enter the Steel Soul code on keyboard? The input is described as a D‑pad sequence from the Extras menu. If you’re on PC, use a controller for consistent results.

Will this code affect my existing saves? No. It simply exposes the Steel Soul option when creating a new file.

Is there a risk to using community trainers? Yes. They can crash the game, break after patches, or corrupt saves. Back up, disable cheats before quitting, and keep usage to offline single‑player.

Silksong doesn’t ship with an easy-mode toggle, but it does offer a legitimate shortcut to the hardest way to play. For everything else — from map help to full-on invincibility — you’re dependent on community tools, with the flexibility and fragility that implies. If you’re just getting started, the in‑game secrets and a careful route will carry you further than you might expect. If you want the gauntlet right away, the title-screen code is your green light.

More on the game can be found on the developer’s official site.