Overview
The Programming skill in The Sims 4 lets your Sim create apps, build games, and even hack to make some quick Simoleons. This guide covers every way to build this skill, whether you want to level up fast, complete the Computer Whiz Aspiration, or boost progress in the Tech Guru career. You’ll also find a full list of level rewards and the cheats to max out this skill fast.
About the Programming skill
- The Programming skill comes with The Sims 4 Base Game, and is a 10 level skill.
- Elder, Adult, Young Adult, and Teen Sims can all build this skill.
- Programming is needed to progress in the Tech Guru career and to complete the Computer Whiz Aspiration.
- Building the Programming skill is a great way to make some Simoleons. Sims can do this through creating games, apps, and even hacking!
- Level up in the Handiness skill too, so your Sim can upgrade and maintain their computer to make hacking faster.
- The Fast Internet Trait increases how fast your Sim builds this skill.
How to build the Programming skill
There are multiple ways for your Sim to build the Programming skill. Some interactions are only unlocked when your Sim reaches a certain level.Using the computer, select Practice Programming to start building this skill. As you Sim progresses through the skill levels, more programming interactions like Hack and Make Plugins become available, which also build skill.
Reading skill books will work towards building skills, but it is slower than other methods. Books will only get you as far as level 9 of a skill. To buy skill books:The skill books are:
- 1Select a bookshelf and choose Purchase Books.
- 2In the pop-up, select the drop-down at the top-left that reads Show All.
- 3Choose Skill and scroll through to find the book you want to buy. These will be added to your Sim’s bookshelf.
- Programming Vol 1: Turn It Off and On Again
- Programming Vol 2: Maintaining Healthy Semicolons
- Programming Vol 3: Learn to Talk Robot.
If you own The Sims 4 Discover University Expansion Pack, your Sim can attend skill-building classes. These are rabbit-holes, so your Sim will leave the Lot for some time and then come back when the class is over. Note: Skill Classes are only available between 9 a.m.– 9 p.m.
- 1In Live Mode, select your Sim’s phone.
- 2Open the Business app (the briefcase icon).
- 3Choose Sit in on Skill Class (§250).
- 4In the pop-up menu, choose Programming. Your Sim will leave the Lot and gain Programming skill while in class.
If you own The Sims 4 Businesses & Hobbies Expansion Pack, your Sim can learn or teach the Programming skill using the Sharing is Caring Whiteboard. You’ll find this in Build Mode.
Programming skill levels
As your Sim builds the Programming skill, they’ll unlock new rewards, abilities, and interactions along the way. A green progress bar will appear above your Sim’s head and gradually fill up as they’re building a skill. You can also check their progress by:- 1Entering Live Mode.
- 2Selecting the Sim Panel (bottom left).
- 3Selecting the Skills tab.
At this level, your Sim can Practice Programming.
At this level, your Sim can Make Plugins.
At this level, your Sim can Mod Games.
At this level, your Sim can:
- Make Viruses
- Hack School Grades—this only works for Teen Sims.
At this level, your Sim can:
- Start Side Job
- mentor other Sims in this skill.
At this level, your Sim can Hack Work Performance.
At this level, your Sim can Make Mobile Phone Apps.
At this level, your Sim is better at Hacking.
At this level, your Sim can Make Computer Games.
At this level, your Sim can Hack Supercomputers.
Programming skill cheats
When using skill cheats, type in the number of the level you want to reach. For example, putting stats.set_skill_level major_programming 7 into the cheat bar will get your Sim’s Programming skill up to level 7.PC and Mac
PlayStation®
Xbox
- 1Press Control + Shift + C to open the cheat dialogue box.
- 2Type testingcheats true and press Enter to turn on cheats.
- 3Type stats.set_skill_level major_programming [skill level] and press Enter.