Guided Mode on HTB Labs
Guided Mode on HackTheBox (HTB) Labs provides a structured, step-by-step learning experience for players. By answering a series of guided questions, players can read educational material, find flags, and learn fundamental information security concepts. The provided hints and nudges allow players to easily dive into the action and understand the path to becoming a top-tier hacker.
Adventure Mode vs. Guided Mode
You can easily switch between Adventure Mode and Guided Mode using the toggle on the platform.
Adventure Mode: This is the standard way to play HTB Machines. You are only required to find and submit the user flag and the root flag without any step-by-step assistance.
Guided Mode: This mode offers a structured set of tasks and questions. Answering each question guides you through the machine to discover specific exploitation techniques and flags. This process ensures you fully understand each step of the exploit.
Subscription Availability:
Active Guided Mode machines are available to users on the HTB Free plan.
Retired machines in Guided Mode are exclusively available to users with an HTB VIP+ or HTB PRO subscription.
How to Play a Machine in Guided Mode
Guided Mode is available for specific machines on HTB Labs. To start a machine in Guided Mode, follow these steps:
Navigate to the machine's profile page.
Locate the "Guided Mode" toggle switch next to the green "Play Machine" button.
Click the toggle to enable Guided Mode.
Click "Play Machine" to start your active session.
Once the machine starts, you will see a list of specific questions and tasks that guide you to complete the machine.
How to Use Hints in Guided Mode
If you get stuck on an exploitation step or cannot find the answer to a task, you can use hints to bypass the roadblock.
Each task in Guided Mode has its own specific hints.
You can unlock a hint by clicking the "Unlock Hint" button below the task question.
Unlocking hints will not decrease your platform points.
Switching Modes During an Active Session
You can switch between Adventure Mode and Guided Mode while actively playing a machine in a live session.
Use the "Guided Mode" toggle located within your active session dashboard to switch modes at any time.
Note on Machine Ratings: If you play a machine using Guided Mode, the difficulty rating for that machine becomes fixed, meaning you cannot submit a personal difficulty rating for it. If you complete the machine entirely in standard Adventure Mode, you can rate the machine normally.
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