The Technology skill in Paralives is one of the seven core Knowledge Skills your Para can develop, and it punches above its weight. Rather than being a standalone pursuit, it acts as a multiplier for two of the most career-relevant skills in the game: Programming and Graphic Design. Get it high enough early, and everything else in the tech tree accelerates. Ignore it, and you'll spend far longer grinding those sub-skills than you need to.
How does the Technology skill work in Paralives?
Technology is a Knowledge Skill, which means it operates on two levels. First, leveling it up directly increases the speed at which your Para gains XP in Programming and Graphic Design. Second, the relationship runs both ways: when your Para practices Programming or Graphic Design, they also earn a smaller amount of Technology XP in return.
The practical takeaway is straightforward. Keep your Technology level higher than your Programming and Graphic Design levels at all times. If your Para's Technology sits at level 8 while their Programming is at level 3, they're gaining Programming XP at a significantly faster rate than if both were equal. The game rewards the investment upfront.
Technology has 20 levels in total. As of the current Early Access build, there are no explicit rewards attached to reaching specific levels, though that will almost certainly change in future patches.
Researching tech on a PC
What are the fastest ways to level the Technology skill?
There are four methods available right now, and they are not all equal in speed.
Research Technology on a computer
This is the quickest method by a clear margin. Click on any PC or laptop, select "Learn about...", then choose Technology. Your Para will browse the internet and accumulate XP steadily. The catch: after a few hours of continuous research, the Bored mood kicks in and your Para will refuse to continue until it passes. Plan around this by scheduling other activities while the moodlet runs its course.
Read a Technology book
A solid alternative when the Bored moodlet is active. Click on any bookshelf, select "Read book...", and pick the Technology book. The Iconomi Alicias Romantasy Bookshelf is one of the cheaper options at 204 Paradimes if you're watching your budget. Reading is slower than computer research, but it keeps progress ticking over during downtime.
Level Programming or Graphic Design
Both sub-skills feed back into Technology XP, just at a reduced rate. This method is not efficient if your goal is purely to raise Technology fast, but if you're actively working on Programming or Graphic Design anyway, you're getting passive Technology gains at the same time. Two tasks, one session.
Leveling methods compared
What sub-skills does Technology unlock?
The Technology Knowledge Skill directly supports two sub-skills:
- Programming: Learned by clicking a computer and selecting "Practice...", then Programming. Career paths like Software Developer depend on this. The higher your Technology level, the faster Programming XP accumulates.
- Graphic Design: Also practiced via the computer's "Practice..." menu. Same XP acceleration applies from Technology level.
Both sub-skills also contribute back to Technology, creating a loop that rewards consistent play across all three. If your Para has career ambitions in a tech field, building Technology first before diving into either sub-skill is the most time-efficient approach.
Practice menu for Programming skill
How to cheat the Technology skill in Paralives
If grinding isn't your style, cheat codes get the job done instantly. Press CTRL+F1 to open the Cheat Commands console on PC. On Mac, the shortcut is CTRL+Shift+C.
Two commands apply directly to Technology:
- SETSKILLLEVEL KNOWLEDGETECHNOLOGY X — Sets your Para's Technology skill to a specific level. Replace X with any number from 1 to 20. For example, SETSKILLLEVEL KNOWLEDGETECHNOLOGY 10 jumps straight to level 10.
- LEVELUPSKILL KNOWLEDGETECHNOLOGY — Increases the Technology skill by exactly one level from wherever it currently sits.
For a full breakdown of every available cheat code across all skill categories, the Paralives all cheat commands guide covers the complete list with console shortcuts for both platforms.
Cheat console skill command
All 20 Technology skill levels
The Technology skill runs from level 1 to level 20. Currently in Early Access, none of the levels carry explicit unlock rewards, but the XP acceleration benefit to Programming and Graphic Design scales with every level gained. The table below covers the full range:
The developers have indicated rewards for reaching higher levels will be added in future updates. Reaching level 20 right now is mostly for completionists or players who want the maximum possible XP boost for sub-skills.
Where does Technology fit in the broader skill system?
Paralives has seven Knowledge Skills in total: Music, Food, Fitness, Technology, Art, Repair, and Science. Each one follows the same Knowledge Skill structure, where the parent skill accelerates the sub-skills beneath it. Technology is one of the more career-focused options given how directly Programming and Graphic Design connect to in-game jobs.
For players still finding their feet, the Paralives things you should do first guide covers broader early priorities that pair well with getting your Tech skill started. If you're also interested in how money interacts with skill-building, check out the Paralives money cheats guide for Paradime shortcuts that free up time to focus on leveling.
The full Paralives guides collection has everything else you'll need as Early Access content continues to expand.