# Move a player
About 15 minutes.
## Learning objectives
- Build a plane and a cube named `Player`
- Add a complete `PlayerMover` script that reads `Player/Move`
- Confirm the cube moves on XZ in Play mode with WASD or arrows
This page uses project-wide actions (`InputSystem.actions.FindAction`). That is the required first workflow. The [Player Input component](06-player-input-component.md) page is optional and separate.
## 1. Add a ground plane
1. In the Hierarchy, open **GameObject > 3D Object > Plane**.
You should see: a Plane at the origin in the Scene view.
Leave its transform at `(0, 0, 0)`.
## 2. Add a Player cube
1. In the Hierarchy, open **GameObject > 3D Object > Cube**.
2. With the Cube selected, in the Inspector rename it to `Player`.
3. Set **Transform > Position** to `X = 0`, `Y = 0.5`, `Z = 0`.
You should see: the cube sitting on the plane, not intersecting it. A default cube is 1 unit tall, so `Y = 0.5` puts the bottom on `Y = 0`.
## 3. Create a Scripts folder
1. In the Project window, select the `Assets` folder.
2. Right-click > **Create > Folder**.
3. Name the folder `Scripts`.
## 4. Create PlayerMover
1. Select `Assets/Scripts`.
2. Right-click > **Create > MonoBehaviour Script** (or **Create > C# Script**).
3. Name it `PlayerMover`. The filename must match the class name.
4. Double-click `PlayerMover` to open it in your editor.
5. Replace the entire file with this script:
```csharp
using UnityEngine;
using UnityEngine.InputSystem;
public class PlayerMover : MonoBehaviour
{
[SerializeField] float moveSpeed = 5f;
InputAction moveAction;
void Start()
{
moveAction = InputSystem.actions.FindAction("Player/Move");
}
void Update()
{
if (moveAction == null)
return;
Vector2 move = moveAction.ReadValue<Vector2>();
Vector3 delta = new Vector3(move.x, 0f, move.y) * moveSpeed * Time.deltaTime;
transform.Translate(delta, Space.World);
}
}
```
6. Save the file.
7. Return to Unity and wait for compile.
You should see: the Console has no compile errors. If you get `CS0246` for `InputAction`, you missed `using UnityEngine.InputSystem;` — see [Troubleshooting](07-troubleshooting.md).
> **Why this matters:** `FindAction("Player/Move")` is the full path. `"Move"` alone can collide if another map also has a Move action. `move.x` is world X. `move.y` (the Vector2 Y) is world Z, so the cube stays on the plane.
## 5. Add the component to Player
1. Select `Player` in the Hierarchy.
2. In the Inspector, select **Add Component**.
3. Choose **Player Mover**.
You should see: a **Player Mover** component on Player with **Move Speed** set to `5`.
Do not add **Player Input** on this page. That is the next, optional workflow.
## 6. Frame the cube and check the camera
1. Select `Player` in the Hierarchy.
2. Move the mouse over the Scene view and press **F** to frame the cube.
3. Select **Main Camera**.
4. If the Game view does not show the cube on the plane, adjust the camera so both are visible (a common starter pose is position `(0, 3, -6)` looking toward the origin).
## 7. Enter Play mode
Edit mode does not run `Update` on your objects in a way that moves the cube for this test. You must enter Play mode.
1. Press the **Play** button at the top of the Editor (or Ctrl/Cmd+P).
2. Click the Game view so it has focus (the Editor does not send keystrokes to the game if a different window is focused).
3. Hold **W**, **A**, **S**, **D** or the arrow keys.
You should see: the cube slides on the plane. W/Up moves along +Z, S/Down along -Z, A/Left along -X, D/Right along +X.
4. Press **Play** again to stop.
> **Warning:** Changes you make in Play mode (moving the cube by hand, changing `moveSpeed`) are discarded when you stop. Set values in Edit mode.
If the cube does not move, open [Troubleshooting](07-troubleshooting.md) before you continue.
## 8. Optional: gamepad
1. Plug in a USB or Bluetooth gamepad that the OS already sees.
2. Enter Play mode.
3. Tilt the left stick.
You should see: the cube moves the same way as WASD. No script change is required because **Move** already has a stick binding.
## Checkpoint
Before you continue:
- `Player` is a cube at `Y = 0.5` on a Plane
- `PlayerMover` is on `Player` and compiles
- In Play mode, WASD or arrows move the cube on XZ
- You are **not** calling `Input.GetAxis` or `Input.GetKey`
Next (optional): [Player Input component](06-player-input-component.md). If something failed: [Troubleshooting](07-troubleshooting.md).