The GENESIS shell provides a framework in which a simulation programmer can define and manipulate GENESIS elements. But the shell also includes a number of generally useful routines. The table below lists some of these routines. (For more detailed descriptions on any GENESIS routine, refer to the reference section on the specific routine.)
| Routine | Description |
| exit | Exits from GENESIS, terminating any simulation in progress. |
| quit | Alias for exit routine. |
| help | Displays help on GENESIS topics. |
| h | Displays the contents of the command-history buffer. |
| setprompt | Sets string to use as prompt for GENESIS shell. |
| addescape | Adds an escape-key macro binding. |
| listescape | Lists available escape-key/command-sequence bindings. |
| addalias | Associates alternative name with existing GENESIS routine. |
| echo | Prints out its arguments to the console. |
| listglobals | Lists currently defined global variables and functions. |
| version | Returns the version of GENESIS being used. |
The GENESIS routines used for interacting with the operating system include the following:
| Routine | Description |
| sh | Issues operating system command from GENESIS shell. |
| cd | Changes current working operating system directory. |
| getdate | Returns operating system date-time. |
| setenv | Set value of operating system environmental variable. |
| getenv | Returns value of operating-system environmental variable. |
| printenv | Displays value of operating-system environmental variable. |
| tset | A normal UNIX tset. |
| cpu | Displays current cumulative cpu usage for user and system time. |
The GENESIS routines used for adding new routines to the environment include the following:
| Routine | Description |
| listcommands | Displays list of routines currently recognized by GENESIS. |
| showcommand | Displays name of C function invoked by a GENESIS command. |
| callfunc | Calls a function whose name is stored in a string variable. |
| Routine | Description |
| argc | Returns argument count (number of arguments passed to the |
| procedure). | |
| argv | Returns procedure arguments as an array of strings. |
| arglist | Converts list of items into an argument list. |
| getarg | Returns specified item from an argument list. |
| printargs | Displays its arguments with argument numbers. |
| error | Print error message. |
| warning | Print warning message. |
| maxerrors | Sets (or displays) number of errors currently allowed before |
| a simulation is automatically stopped. | |
| maxwarnings | Sets (or displays) number of warning messages currently |
| allowed before a simulation is automatically stopped. | |
| clearerrors | Resets error count to 0. |
| debug | Sets (or displays) the debug level used by some routines. |
| debugfunc | Sets (or displays) the debug level for a specific routine. |
| silent | Sets/clears flag which supresses certain information |
| displays to console. | |