Codex Entry Guide

Finding Codex entries adds to experience and gives greater insight into the game. The following is a list of every known Codex entry in Mass Effect, along with locations they are found.

Some entries are attainable in multiple ways, but it should still be possible to get all of the entries in a single play-through.

See also: Scholar Achievement Guide

Primary

Entry	Location
Aliens: Council Races
Asari	Talk to Embassy Receptionist Saphyria and ask about her personal information; or complete the cutscene showing Saren's hearing in front of the Citadel Council
Salarians	Complete the cutscene showing Saren's hearing in front of the Citadel Council.
Turians	Available at beginning.
Aliens: Extinct Races
Protheans	Ask Captain Anderson and Nihlus about the Protheans at the first briefing.
Rachni	Ask Avina about the Rachni Wars near the Krogan Monument; or talk to Yaroslev Tartakovsky in Noveria: The Hot Labs; or talk to Han Olar about the rachni down in Rift Station's Quarantine and Barracks
Aliens: Non-Council Races
Batarians	Ask Captain Anderson about his past with Saren; or complete Citadel: Old, Unhappy, Far-Off Things; or complete Citadel: I Remember Me; or confront the batarian troopers on Asteroid X57 (Bring Down the Sky).
Elcor	Speak to Ambassador Calyn about the elcor; or Speak to Petozi on Peak 15.
Geth	Ask Ashley about the geth when you first meet her.
Hanar	Ask Delan about his speech; or speak to the Preaching Hanar; or speak to the merchant Opold.
Keepers	Ask Avina near the Citadel Tower about the Keepers; or speak to Chorban.
Krogan	ask Barla Von about the krogan in C-Sec; or complete the cutscene showing Wrex talking with Fist's bodyguard at Chora's Den.
Quarians	Talk to Dr. Chloe Michel after you and Garrus rescue her from Fist's thugs; or ask Wrex about the quarian who contacted Fist.
Volus	Ask Ambassador Din Korlack about the volus; or Ask Avina about why the volus were the first to be granted an embassy.
Aliens: Non-Sapient Creatures
Husks	Encounter the first Husks at Eden Prime.
Thresher Maws	Examine an Alliance marine after killing a Thresher Maw on Edolus; or Examine the xenobiological database in the contaminated lab at Peak 15.
Varren	Speak to Davin Reynolds on Feros; or encounter the varren on Feros without talking to him; or encounter the batarians and their war beasts on Asteroid X57 (Bring Down the Sky).
Citadel and Galactic Government
Citadel	Finish the cutscene concluding Eden Prime.
Citadel Council	Finish the cutscene after arriving at the Citadel.
Citadel Space	Examine the Galaxy Map.
Spectres	Ask Richard L. Jenkins and Dr. Chakwas about Spectres; or bring them up in conversation with David Anderson and Nihlus Kryik before Eden Prime.
Humanity and the Systems Alliance
Earth	Examine Earth from the Galaxy Map; or Recieved after talking to Finch at the start of the Citadel: Old Friends assignment.
First Contact War	Ask Navigator Pressly about Nihlus at the beginning; or talk to Ashley on the Normandy (may depend on dialog choices); or Go to Amazon in the Voyager Cluster, you'll receive the assignment UNC: Espionage Probe and the Codex Entry
Systems Alliance	Available at beginning.
Planets and Locations
Planets: Feros	Received at the handover of the Normandy; or ask the expat merchant on the Wards about Feros.
Planets: Ilos	Received from Liara after she fully interprets the Ilos vision following Virmire; or while reaching Ilos.
Planets: Noveria	Received at the handover of the Normandy; or ask the expat merchant on the Wards about Noveria.
Planets: Virmire	Received after getting the Virmire lead from the Council.
Region: Terminus Systems	Ask Anderson and Nihlus about the Terminus Systems at the first briefing.
Uncharted Worlds	Survey any planet; or ask Captain Anderson about Artemis Tau.
Ships and Vehicles
FTL Drive	Ask Engineer Adams about the Normandy and then the Tantalus Core after you've taken command.
Military Ship Classifications	Ask Engineer Adams about his personal history after you've taken command of the Normandy.
Normandy	Ask Joker about the Normandy after you've taken command.
Sovereign	Received after speaking to Shiala or Matriarch Benezia.
Space Combat	Examine a gunnery station on the Normandy (near Joker) after completing one mission.
Vehicles: M35 Mako	Examine the Mako in the Normandy's garage.
Technology
Biotics	Ask Doctor Chakwas about Alenko, then L2s.
Computers: Artificial Intelligence (AI)	Examine the data core in the testing ground on Luna; or complete Citadel: Signal Tracking; or keep talking to Tali'Zorah nar Rayya when she's on board the Normandy.
Computers: Virtual Intelligence (VI)	Speak to any incarnation of Avina on the Presidium.
Element Zero ("Eezo")	Examine the Normandy's drive core; or speak to Kaidan Alenko.
Mass Effect Fields	Examine the Field Integrity monitor in Normandy Engineering.
Mass Relays	Ask Avina near the Citadel Tower about the Relay Monument.
Omni-tool	Ask the Normandy Requisitions Officer about equipment.
Weapons, Armor and Equipment
Body Armor	Collect body armor from the field.
Kinetic Barriers ("Shields")	Examine Richard L. Jenkins' body after first combat.
Mass Accelerators	Inspect the Normandy weapons while it's docked at the Citadel after you’ve taken command.
Medi-Gel	Activate the medi-gel dispenser in the Normandy sick bay; or Activate the medi-gel dispenser in the Med Clinic in the Citadel Wards.
Small Arms	Speak to Clerk Bosker; or examine the weapons Ashley is cleaning.

Secondary

Entry	Location
Player Tutorials
01: Basic Controls	All tutorial entries are available from the beginning.
02: Combat
03: The Tactics HUD
04: Character Advancement
05: Equipment
06: Armor and Shields
07: Decryption and Electronics
08: The Area Map
09: The Galaxy Map
10: Conversations
11: Vehicle Movement
12: Vehicle Combat
13: Cargo Bay Resources
Personal History Summary
Profile	Available at beginning.
UPDATE: Bring Down the Sky
Technology: Translation	After the first encounter with batarians.
UPDATE: Pinnacle Station
Technology: Combat Simulator	Complete a combat mission at Pinnacle Station.
Technology: Pinnacle Station	Land at Pinnacle Station.
Technology: Prefabricated Structures	Visit Shepard's apartment on Intai'sei.
Aliens: Council Races
Asari: Biology	Pursue a relationship with Liara T'Soni, get this entry after three missions.
Asari: Culture	Ask Liara T'Soni about asari culture after saving her. (May depend on dialog choices.)
Asari: Government	Ask Liara T'Soni about herself after saving her (dependent on dialogue choices). Pick : "You must get lonely." and then "Why's that?".
Asari: Military Doctrine	Speak to Shiala in Zhu's Hope after completing Feros; or Hack the "Asari Intel Report" terminal on Virmire
Asari: Religion	Speak to Liara T'Soni after completing two missions.
Salarians: Biology	Speak to Kaidan Alenko after completing three missions.
Salarians: Culture	Hack an antenna in the Salarian base on Virmire (need Decryption on Shepard).
Salarians: Government	Speak to Captain Kirrahe.
Salarians: League of One	Find any League of One insignia.
Salarians: Military Doctrine	Hack the "Salarian Intel Report" terminal on Saren's base (easy decryption); or Received after speaking to Captain Kirrahe.
Salarians: Special Tasks Group	Ask the Council about STG during the pre-Virmire briefing.
Turians: Biology	Ask Garrus about Dr. Saleon after two missions.
Turians: Culture	Ask Garrus about his C-Sec background after completing one mission. (May depend on dialog choices.)
Turians: Government	Talk to Garrus after three missions.
Turians: Military Doctrine	Ask Garrus about his C-Sec background after completing one mission. (May depend on dialog choices.)
Turians: Religion	Talk to Garrus after completing Garrus: Find Dr. Saleon.
Turians: The Unification War	Find any turian insignia.
Aliens: Extinct Races
Protheans: Beacon	Ask Liara T'Soni about herself, after completing one mission.
Protheans: Cipher	Received after Liara touches Shepard's mind or after speaking to Shiala.
Protheans: Data Discs	Find any Prothean data disc.
Protheans: Mars Ruins	Examine Mars from the Galaxy Map.
Aliens: Non-Council Races
Geth: Armatures	Fight a Geth Armature.
Geth: Hoppers	Fight a Geth Hopper.
Krogan: Biology	Speak to Urdnot Wrex after completing Wrex: Family Armor.
Krogan: Culture	Ask Urdnot Wrex about his family, and his armor after two missions.
Krogan: Genophage	Ask Urdnot Wrex about the genophage while aboard the Normandy.
Krogan: Krogan Rebellions	Ask Avina about the Rebellions at the Krogan Monument.
Krogan: Military Doctrine	Talk to Urdnot Wrex after three missions.
Quarians: Economy	Ask Tali'Zorah nar Rayya about ship technology after you've taken command of the Normandy.
Quarians: Government	Ask Tali'Zorah nar Rayya about the quarians after you've taken command of the Normandy.
Quarians: Law and Defense	Talk to Tali'Zorah nar Rayya after two missions (don't complete Tali and the Geth before).
Quarians: Migrant Fleet	Ask Tali about her father and mother; or ask Tali'Zorah nar Rayya about ship technology after you've taken command of the Normandy.
Quarians: Pilgrimage	Ask Tali'Zorah nar Rayya about her Pilgrimage at the initial meeting.
Quarians: Religion	Talk to Tali'Zorah nar Rayya after two missions (don't complete Tali and the Geth before).
Citadel and Galactic Government
Citadel Conventions	Examine the Diplomatic Archive terminal in the diplomats' office at the Embassies.
Citadel Station: Citadel Security Services (C-Sec)	Ask Executor Pallin about C-Sec; or examine the 'Welcome to C-Sec' sign behind the docking bay elevator.
Citadel Station: Presidium Ring	Speak to Embassy Receptionist Saphyria about your location; or ask Barla Von about the Citadel, and then the Presidium.
Citadel Station: Serpent Nebula	Examine the Serpent Nebula from the CitadelWards.
Citadel Station: Statistics	Finish the cutscene concluding Eden Prime.
Citadel Station: Wards	Ask Barla Von about the Citadel, and then the Wards.
Treaty of Farixen	Examine terminals in the diplomats' office at the Embassies.
Humanity and the Systems Alliance
Genetic Engineering	Speak to Rafael Vargas on Noveria; or complete Citadel: Family Matter.
Human Diplomatic Relations	Ask Navigator Pressly about his concerns over the aliens after you've taken command of the Normandy; or ask Ashley Williams about her concerns over the aliens after completing one mission. (May depend on dialog choices.)
Systems Alliance: Geological Survey	Survey any mineral deposit, either from space or planet-side.
Systems Alliance: Military Doctrine	Talk to Ashley Williams after two missions.
Systems Alliance: Military Jargon	Examine NAVMANUAL 1.4.1 on the Normandy's command deck.
Systems Alliance: Military Ranks	Examine the personnel manual in the captain's office aboard the Normandy after you've taken command.
Systems Alliance: N7	Examine Shepard's locker on the Normandy's habitation deck.
Terra Firma Party	Speak to Ashley Williams or Charles Saracino.
Timeline	Available at beginning.
Planets and Locations
Stations: Arcturus Station	Speak to Joker about his history.
Stations: Gagarin Station	Ask Kaidan Alenko about his training after completing one mission.
Ships and Vehicles
FTL Drive: Appearance	Look out of the viewport on the Normandy's bridge.
FTL Drive: Drive Charge	Examine core charge status in Normandy engineering after completing one mission.
Space Combat: Combat Endurance	Examine the heat load monitor on the Normandy's command deck after finishing one mission.
Space Combat: General Tactics	Access the computer terminal on the second floor of the main base on Xawin; or Examine NAVMANUAL 0.7.4 in the Udina's Office after finishing one mission.
Space Combat: Planetary Assaults	Ask Ashley about her family history after a third mission.
Space Combat: Trans-Relay Assaults	Speak to the Prothean VI Vigil on IIos.
Starships: Carriers	Speak to Rear Admiral Mikhailovich (needs at last Intimidate option; requires 10 points in Intimidate).
Starships: Crew Considerations	Examine the crew sleeper pods on the Normandy's habitation deck after you've taken command.
Starships: Cruisers	Examine a second tracking terminal in C-Sec Traffic Control.
Starships: Dreadnought	Watch the Destiny Ascension pass the window on the Wards; or overhear the conversation between a volus and a human about the Ascension in the Upper Wards.
Starships: Fighters	Examine a tracking terminal in C-Sec Traffic Control.
Starships: Frigates	Examine a third tracking terminal in C-Sec Traffic Control; or examine the Geth Dropship's claw near the hydraulic door on Feros; or view a Geth Dropship on Casbin, Rayingri, Therum, or during the retaking of the Citadel.
Starships: Heat Management	Examine a second heat load monitor on the Normandy's command deck after completing one mission.
Starships: Sensors	Ask Navigator Pressly about the Normandy's stealth systems.
Starships: Thrusters	Inspect the Normandy thrusters while it's docked at the Citadel after you’ve taken command.
Vehicles: Combat Drones	Examine the data port inside one of the Rogue VI stations.
Weapons: Ablative Armor	Inspect the Normandy hull while it's docked at the Citadel after you’ve taken command.
Weapons: Disruptor Torpedoes	Examine the Gravitic Weapons Research terminal in Peak 15's cafeteria; or on Virmire, examine Rana Thanoptis' terminal in room leading to Saren's personal laboratory.
Weapons: GARDIAN	Examine the point defense systems on the Normandy command deck after completing one mission.
Weapons: Javelin	Speak to the Prothean VI Vigil on IIos.
Technology
Biotics: Biotic Amps	Ask Doctor Chakwas about Alenko, then L2s.
Biotics: Life as a Biotic	Ask Kaidan Alenko about his training after completing two missions (dependent on dialogue choices). Investigate all subjects, then pick : "You had a bad teacher?" and "He must have done something right".
Biotics: Training	Ask Kaidan Alenko about his training after completing one mission.
Communications	Examine the FTL Comm Link in the Normandy comm room.
Communications: Administration	Examine the extranet terminal in the freighter on Feros; or examine the extranet terminal near Officer Eddie Lang in the Wards.
Communications: Methodology	Examine the public terminal at Zhu's Hope; or examine the server node at the ExoGeni facility.
Credits ("Creds")	Ask Barla Von about what he does.
Weapons, Armor and Equipment
Upgrades	Collect any upgrade from the field.