execute as vs at

Updated: 30 October 2026

as changes the runner

/execute as @e[type=minecraft:zombie] run say I am zombie

Every zombie runs the command, and @s now means that zombie.

at changes the position

/execute at @e[type=minecraft:zombie] run particle minecraft:flame ~ ~1 ~ 0 0 0 0 1

The command runs at each zombie's position. Position matters for particles, sounds, block checks and ~ coordinates.

Both together

/execute as @e[type=minecraft:zombie] at @s run particle minecraft:flame ~ ~1 ~ 0 0 0 0 1

Each zombie becomes the runner, and the particle appears at that zombie. Think of it as "as whom" and "where".

Only as, or only at

/execute as @e[type=minecraft:zombie] run setblock ~ ~2 ~ minecraft:glowstone
/execute at @e[type=minecraft:zombie] run setblock ~ ~2 ~ minecraft:glowstone

The first changes only the runner; the position stays where the command started, so a single glowstone appears there. The second runs at each zombie, so every zombie gets glowstone above its head.

Who @s means

After as, @s is the selected target. at moves only the position, so @s stays the original runner.

/execute as @a run tellraw @s {"text":"A message just for you"}

Every player gets a message addressed to them. Without as, /tellraw @s in a command block targets the block itself and nobody sees it.

Order matters

as @a at @s runs as each player, at that player's position. at @s as @a runs at the original runner's position, as each player, so the position never changes. /execute is read left to right.

Common patterns

• as @a at @s if block ~ ~-1 ~ …: check the block under each player
• as @e[type=…] at @s run particle …: effects on each mob
• as @p at @s run tp @s ^ ^ ^3: move a player 3 blocks the way they face (local coordinates)

at vs positioned as

at copies position, rotation and dimension. positioned as copies only the position and keeps the original rotation. With ^ coordinates, use at for the target's facing and positioned as to keep your own.

When it does not work

• It only happens in one place: you have as without at. Add at @s.
• Nobody sees the message: in a command block @s is the block. Add as @a.
• The server slows down: as @e repeats for every match. Narrow it with type= or distance=.

Common questions

• Is Bedrock the same? Since Bedrock 1.19.50 it uses the same as and at logic. Distance is written r=.
• How do I see who is running it? End with run say test. The chat shows the runner's name, once per run.

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