Unlocking something with something (past tense unlocked it with)

Unlocking undoes the effect of locking, and renders the noun openable again provided that the actor is carrying the right key (which must be the second noun).

Unlocking can be performed on any kind of thing which provides the either/or properties lockable, locked, openable and open. The 'can't unlock without a lock rule' tests to see if the noun both provides the lockable property, and if it is in fact lockable: it is then assumed that the other properties can safely be checked. In the Standard Rules, the container and door kinds both satisfy these requirements.

We can create a new kind on which opening, closing, locking and unlocking will work thus: 'A briefcase is a kind of thing. A briefcase can be openable. A briefcase can be open. A briefcase can be lockable. A briefcase can be locked. A briefcase is usually openable, lockable, open and unlocked.'

Inform checks whether the key fits using the 'can't unlock without the correct key rule'. To satisfy this, the actor must be directly holding the second noun, and it must be the current value of the 'matching key' property for the noun. (This property is seldom referred to directly because it is automatically set by assertions like 'The silver key unlocks the wicket gate.')

The Standard Rules provide locking and unlocking actions at a fairly basic level: they can be much enhanced using the extension Locksmith by Emily Short, which is included with all distributions of Inform.

Typed commands leading to this action

"unlock with [something]" 

"unlock [a locked lockable thing] with [something]" 

"unlock [a lockable thing] with [something]" 

"open [something] with [something]" 

"open [a locked lockable thing] with [something]" 

"open [a lockable thing] with [something]" 

Rules controlling this action

check    an actor unlocking something with  can't unlock without a lock rule    name  unlist   1

check    an actor unlocking something with  can't unlock what's already unlocked rule    name  unlist   1

check    right second rule    name  unlist   1 

check    must be able to reach the key rule    name  unlist 

NB: the right second rule is listed instead of the can't unlock without the correct key rule in the check unlocking it with rulebook 

carry out    unlocking the lockbox with the wide key   

carry out    unlocking something with a passkey  standard passkey unlocking rule    name  unlist 

carry out    an actor unlocking something with  standard unlocking rule    name  unlist

after    unlocking the beige door with the thin key   

after    unlocking the lockbox with the wide key   

report    someone trying unlocking something with a passkey  observe someone unlocking rule    name  unlist 

report    an actor unlocking something with  standard report unlocking rule    name  unlist   2