Ride along with the dragon
/spectate @e[type=minecraft:ender_dragon,limit=1]In Spectator mode, you see the fight through the Ender Dragon's eyes.
/spectate command in Minecraft
/spectate makes a player in Spectator mode see the game through another entity's eyes, just like clicking on a mob as a spectator. Without a target it stops spectating. It helps when filming, refereeing a minigame or following a player on a server.
Syntax
/spectate [<target> [<player>]]| Argument | Expects | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| targetoptional | Entity selectorone | The single entity to watch, for example @e[type=minecraft:creeper,limit=1,sort=nearest]. Omit it to stop spectating. |
| playeroptional | Player selectorone | The spectator who changes view, a player in Spectator mode. Defaults to you. |
All 3 forms
- /spectate
- /spectate <target>
- /spectate <target> <player>
Examples
Make one player watch another
/spectate Steve AlexAlex, already a spectator, now sees the game through Steve's eyes.
Leave the spectated view
/spectateWithout arguments, your camera goes back to your own position.
Build your commandFill in the fields, then copy the command.
Command generatorRequirements
The player must be in Spectator mode, set with /gamemode, otherwise the game answers "Steve is not in spectator mode". Nobody can spectate themselves. The second argument picks who spectates, so an operator can move the camera of another player at will.
Special views
Spectating a Creeper, a Spider or an Enderman applies a screen filter, the same family of post effects that /posteffect applies directly. Press the sneak key or run /spectate without arguments to leave the view.
✓ Checked in Java Edition 26.3 · updated 2 November 2026
/spectate: FAQ
Why does /spectate say I am not in spectator mode?
The command only works in Spectator mode. Run /gamemode spectator first, then /spectate.
How do I stop spectating an entity?
Run /spectate with no arguments, or press the sneak key.
How do I use /spectate?
Type it in the chat with cheats on: /spectate [<target> [<player>]].
Who can use /spectate?
Cheats on, or operator level 2.
Since when does /spectate exist?
It is in the official command tree since Java Edition 1.15.
Related commands
/gamemodeCheats/rideCheats/defaultgamemodeCheats/swingCheats/posteffectCheats/teleportCheats/effectCheats/experienceCheats