Get a program, then install it
- Buy a completed quickhack or its crafting spec from a netrunner vendor, or loot quickhack rewards from access points.
- If you bought a spec, open Crafting and use quickhack components to create the program.
- Open the quickhack menu from your equipped cyberdeck in Inventory and slot the program into a free quickhack slot.
- Use a deck of the same tier or higher than the quickhack.
Access points provide quickhack components through their hacking puzzle. Ordinary item components and quickhack components serve different crafting recipes.
Defeated enemies and access points can also drop finished quickhacks and quickhack crafting specs. The tier of a dropped spec varies, so check Crafting after a fight with netrunners. With Phantom Liberty, Dogtown airdrops can contain quickhack crafting specs from Tier 4+ up to Tier 5++.
The scanner shows the current RAM cost, upload time and target options. Hostile uploads can start a trace; watch its progress while you continue the encounter.
Choose and upgrade a cyberdeck → · Hack Queue and Overclock gates →
RAM, trace, and the queue
The scanner lists RAM at the top of the hacking menu. RAM recovers over time. Intelligence changes the cost and the recovery rate. Time moves slower while the scanner stays open; leave the scanner and the upload finishes at full speed.
Update 2.0 rebalanced RAM costs, damage, and upload times, and changed the effects of some quickhacks. It removed Breach Protocol on enemies. A queue from an older save can show a different RAM cost than it did before that update. Read the installed tier before you upload.
A hostile upload can start a trace. Keep an eye on it while you move. Hack Queue is the Intelligence perk that puts more than one quickhack on the same enemy. The program you queue second is where the combo happens.
- Cyberware Malfunction, then Short Circuit. The malfunction greatly increases Short Circuit’s damage.
- Contagion, then Overheat. The pair can explode the affected enemies. Patch 2.11 makes Iconic Contagion explode when it is combined with Overheat.
- Memory Wipe. Compare the installed tiers in the scanner. Update 2.0 changed some quickhack effects and their RAM costs.
- Sonic Shock. Patch 2.12 lists it as a Covert quickhack and updates the description to the behavior from Update 2.1.
- Bait. Patch 2.02 turns Bait off for an enemy standing at the edge of an area they are not supposed to leave.
Patch 2.02 makes Data Recycler refund the RAM you actually spent, after cost reductions. Patch 2.11 lowers the RAM cost of Cyberpsychosis after Cyberware Malfunction or an EMP effect, and makes RAM Recoup restore the amount printed on its description. Update 2.2 applies RAM cost reduction to Iconic Synapse Burnout and Iconic System Collapse. Update 2.1 lowered Synapse Burnout’s damage bonus, including the Iconic version.
Overclock spends Health when RAM runs short. It needs a cyberdeck. Update 2.1 lets you turn it on while you control a camera. After Netrunner reaches skill level 60, Overclock reveals enemies within 10m and lets you hack them through cover.
Fenrir can apply Cyberware Malfunction on a hit, which raises a following Short Circuit. Prototype: Shingen Mark V can apply burn, and that burn can explode an enemy who already has Contagion.
Relic and Phantom Liberty
Hack Queue and Overclock stay on the Intelligence tree. Phantom Liberty adds a separate Relic tree. Songbird unlocks it, and Relic points come from the expansion story and Militech data terminals. Read the Relic node on the perk screen before you spend the point.
Blackwall Gateway comes with Militech Canto Mk.6. It is that deck’s ultimate, and the installed description is the cost and spread to follow.
Covert quickhacks
Read the room and manipulate awareness or positioning.
Ping
Reveal devices and enemies on a network before entering a room.
Where to get it: Complete The Gift for an early Ping tutorial and copy; further copies and specs come from netrunner shops and access-point rewards.
Use gate: Use it on a connected target while scanning.
Build tip: Ping before a fight to see which enemies and devices share a network, then pick the queue target from the scanner.
Bait
Draw an enemy toward a distraction or isolate a patrol.
Where to get it: Buy a completed Bait or its crafting spec from a netrunner; access points can also provide quickhack loot.
Use gate: Patch 2.02 turns Bait off for an enemy standing at the edge of an area they are not supposed to leave.
Build tip: Arasaka decks favor covert hacking and trace management. Pull one guard away from a group before a takedown.
Request Backup
Bring another enemy toward the target and change a patrol's spacing.
Where to get it: Look for the completed quickhack or its spec at netrunner shops, or collect it through access-point rewards.
Use gate: Its tier changes the available interactions with other Covert hacks.
Sonic Shock
Disrupt a target's hearing and communication.
Where to get it: Obtain a completed copy or crafting spec from a netrunner, or collect quickhack loot from access points.
Use gate: Patch 2.12 lists Sonic Shock as Covert and matches its description to the Update 2.1 behavior. Read the installed tier.
Memory Wipe
Disrupt enemy awareness. Compare the installed tier in the scanner before you queue it.
Where to get it: Buy the quickhack or its crafting spec from a netrunner; access-point rewards provide another route.
Use gate: Compare the installed tiers in the scanner. Update 2.0 rebalanced RAM costs and changed some quickhack effects.
Build tip: Arasaka decks favor covert hacking and trace management. Use it on a guard who has noticed you.
Control quickhacks
Interrupt weapons, movement, optics or implants.
Reboot Optics
Blind a target to create an opening for movement or an attack.
Where to get it: Obtain a completed copy or spec from netrunner shops, or collect access-point quickhack rewards.
Use gate: The installed tier determines its duration and additional effects.
Build tip: Blind the enemy that is shooting at you, then close distance or reposition.
Weapon Glitch
Interrupt an enemy's firearm before pushing forward.
Where to get it: Buy a copy or its crafting spec from a netrunner, or search access-point rewards.
Use gate: Use it against an enemy whose weapon is the immediate threat.
Cripple Movement
Hold an enemy in place for a takedown or focused fire.
Where to get it: Find a copy or crafting spec at netrunner shops or through access-point rewards.
Use gate: Use it on a target that is trying to rush or escape.
Cyberware Malfunction
Disrupt an enemy's implants. Queued before Short Circuit, it greatly increases that hack's damage.
Where to get it: Buy a completed copy or its spec from a netrunner; access points can also reward quickhacks.
Use gate: Patch 2.11 lowers the RAM cost of a following Cyberpsychosis after Cyberware Malfunction or an EMP effect.
Build tip: Queue it before Short Circuit. Tetratronic Rippler decks favor mixing control and damage programs in one sequence. Fenrir can apply this effect on a hit.
Combat quickhacks
Deal direct damage or apply a damaging status.
Short Circuit
Apply electrical damage to a selected target. The hit is stronger when Cyberware Malfunction is already on that target.
Where to get it: Buy the quickhack or its spec from a netrunner, or collect it from access-point rewards.
Use gate: A direct attack that spends RAM after the upload completes.
Build tip: Land Cyberware Malfunction first, from a queue or from a Fenrir hit, then upload Short Circuit.
Overheat
Apply thermal damage over time. Combined with Contagion, it can explode the affected enemies.
Where to get it: Look for a copy or its crafting spec at netrunner shops, or obtain quickhack loot from access points.
Use gate: Consider the upload and ongoing effect when planning your next action.
Build tip: Queue it after Contagion for the explosion. Biotech Σ decks favor damage-over-time programs. Burn from Prototype: Shingen Mark V can also explode a target that has Contagion.
Contagion
Apply poison that can spread among nearby enemies. Pair it with Overheat when you want the explosion. Patch 2.11 makes Iconic Contagion explode in that combination.
Where to get it: Buy a copy or spec from a netrunner, or obtain it through access-point quickhack rewards.
Use gate: Use it when several enemies are close enough for its spread.
Build tip: Upload it first, then Overheat. Raven Microcyber decks favor programs that spread; Biotech Σ decks favor damage over time.
Synapse Burnout
A heavy single-target combat upload. Update 2.1 lowered its damage bonus, including the Iconic version.
Where to get it: Obtain the completed quickhack or its crafting spec from a netrunner, or collect access-point loot.
Use gate: From Update 2.2, Iconic Synapse Burnout receives RAM cost reduction. Read the installed tier in the scanner.
Ultimate quickhacks
Commit RAM to a decisive effect on a valid target.
Cyberpsychosis
Turn a target against nearby combatants.
Where to get it: Look for a completed copy or spec at netrunner shops as higher-tier inventory opens; access points also provide quickhack rewards.
Use gate: Patch 2.11 lowers its RAM cost after Cyberware Malfunction or an EMP effect. Check the scanner before you upload.
Build tip: Queue it after Cyberware Malfunction, which lowers its cost, and target an enemy standing near other combatants.
Detonate Grenade
Force a target's grenade to detonate.
Where to get it: Obtain a copy or crafting spec from a netrunner, or through access-point rewards.
Use gate: The target must support the grenade interaction.
Suicide
Force a lethal attack on an eligible target.
Where to get it: Find the completed quickhack or crafting spec at netrunner shops or through access-point rewards.
Use gate: Check target eligibility and the current RAM cost in the scanner.
System Collapse
Neutralize a target through its nervous system.
Where to get it: Buy a completed copy or its crafting spec from a netrunner, or obtain access-point quickhack rewards.
Use gate: From Update 2.2, the Iconic version receives RAM cost reduction. Read the installed tier's RAM and trace lines.
Blackwall Gateway
Use the Militech Canto Mk.6's unique spreading attack.
Where to get it: Craft and install Militech Canto Mk.6 through the Phantom Liberty story route.
Use gate: This is the Canto deck's built-in quickhack, rather than a normal shop program.
Build tip: Canto has fewer ordinary slots than other high-tier decks. Keep Overclock ready, because Health covers the RAM you are short.
Devices and vehicles
Cyberdecks also provide device actions in the scanner, such as distracting enemies or taking control of cameras. These actions are separate from the programs you slot for use on enemies.
Carhacker in the Intelligence tree unlocks vehicle quickhacks. Available vehicle actions also depend on the installed cyberdeck’s tier.
Questions
Why does a Memory Wipe queue from an older save show a different RAM cost?
Update 2.0 rebalanced RAM costs and changed the effects of some quickhacks. The scanner shows the cost of the tier you have installed. Compare those tiers before you upload.
Why does a hostile quickhack start a trace?
A hostile upload can start a trace. Watch it while the encounter continues. Update 2.0 removed Breach Protocol on enemies.
What does Hack Queue change?
Hack Queue uploads more than one quickhack to the same enemy. Cyberware Malfunction before Short Circuit raises that damage. Contagion with Overheat can explode the affected enemies.
What does Data Recycler refund?
After Patch 2.02, Data Recycler refunds the RAM you actually spent, after cost reductions.
What happens when RAM runs out mid-upload?
Overclock spends Health to finish the upload. It is an Intelligence perk and needs a cyberdeck. Perk gates list the attribute and the connected perk.
How do I get new quickhacks?
Buy completed quickhacks or their crafting specs from netrunner vendors. Defeated enemies and access points can also drop quickhacks, quickhack crafting specs, and quickhack components. Craft a spec with quickhack components, then slot the program on a cyberdeck of the same tier or higher.
Where do high-tier quickhack crafting specs come from?
Defeated enemies and access points can drop quickhack crafting specs, and the tier of a dropped spec varies. With Phantom Liberty, Dogtown airdrops can contain quickhack crafting specs from Tier 4+ up to Tier 5++.
How do I hack cars?
Buy Carhacker in the Intelligence tree. It unlocks vehicle quickhacks, and the actions available also depend on the installed cyberdeck's tier.