Matrix Basics

Needs Improvement

Matrix functionality was significantly changed in SR5 v0.30.0. This section is currently incomplete and does not accurately reflect the current state of the system.

This article was last edited Sunday, August 2, 2026 by TaMiF.

Much of a hacker's interaction with the matrix will start from the Character's Matrix Tab.

The Matrix Tab is dense with information related to the Actor's matrix configuration. It is divded into three sections.

The top bar, Matrix Summary, includes the Actor's active matrix Device device from the Actor's Gear Tab, it's Rating, and the Reboot button. The character's matrix visibility status (which can be clicked to toggle between Displaying Persona or Running Silent) is available in the Favorites bar above the tab.

The left column includes:

• Matrix Attributes, pulled from the active device's statistics. If the Device is configured as a cyberdeck, the attributes can be shuffled around.
• The character's Network Configuration, showing the network they're connected (or "No Network" if none), the Network Manager () button if they're connected to a Grid, and the logoff button () if they're connected to a Grid or Host.
• Four subtabs used in the various Matrix Workflows — Icons, Marked, Owned, and for any Programs the Actor has.

The right column includes the active matrix device's Condition Monitor, and a list of available Matrix Actions. If the character is Emerged (set on the Actor's Misc Tab), Matrix Actions becomes a tab, alongside Complex Forms and Compilations, and is home to any Complex Forms and Compilations the character has.

Character Actor Sheet Matrix Tab (SR5 v0.31.5, FVTT v13.351)

Character Actor Sheet Matrix Tab for Mundanes (SR5 v0.30.1, FVTT v13.348)

Character Actor Sheet Matrix Tab for Emerged (SR5 v0.30.1, FVTT v13.348)

Sub Tabs

All sub tabs showing icons follow these same general rules:

• All icons shown can be selected as targets for matrix actions by clicking on their icon. This behavior is supported on all other tabs as well. By selecting an icon as the current target, the list of available matrix actions will be limited based on marks placed.

• Icons will show up based on their wireless status. Offline or sneaking icons will not be shown.

The left hand column includes four subtabs:

Icons

Matrix Protocols

As of SR5 v0.31.6 there is no support for Matrix Perception, so everything that can be potentially interacted with is shown.

This tab shows all the Actors connected to the same network as the character, or all Actors on the same scene if not connected to a network. It indicates what Type of icon it is, as well as what Network it is connected to.

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Marked

Once an icon has been marked it will also show up in this tab. If the marked icon is a stand alone device it will show up as a single entry. Owned devices will be grouped underneath their owning persona icon instead. This tab also allows to manage marks placed by adding or deleting one or more marks.

Owned

This tab shows how the actor and their icons will be shown to other matrix users. All icons shown will be visible to other matrix users.

Programs

The Programs tab starts with an indication of how many programs the character's matrix device can load and a + Add button to create a new Program Item.

Below that is a list of every Program Item the Actor has. Along with the buttons common to every Embedded Item and an Equip toggle like the Character's Gear Tab, there is a larger Load >> button. It duplicates the effects of the Equip toggle, displaying Loaded when the program is enabled.

The list is sorted alphabetically, with any loaded programs appearing before unloaded programs.