Sandustry Early Game Tips
The best early-game improvements are operational: learn copy, paste, replace, and hotbar controls; keep Gold inside Collectors; let gravity separate materials; and reserve room around the Shaker. Water is consumed by Sand, while Residue accumulates quickly, so plan both supply and waste routes before scaling input.
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Use the construction controls
Use C to select structures for copying, Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V to duplicate a layout, and Ctrl as the default Replace modifier. Sandustry provides ten hotbar groups with ten slots each; Alt plus a number or the mouse wheel switches groups without reopening build menus.
Exploit density around the Shaker
Wet Sand is denser than Residue, and the Shaker moves Residue slowly. A community-tested diagonal or stepped Shaker arrangement lets the heavier feed settle while pushing lighter output toward a collection route, but leave access space so a small blockage remains easy to clear.
Separate value, waste, and water
A Collector counts Gold without blocking pixels, so position it on a dependable Gold route. Send Residue elsewhere for later burning, use Filters when mixed solids become unmanageable, and treat the water reservoir as consumable until renewable Snow and Steam infrastructure is ready.
Field facts
| Copy selection | C |
|---|---|
| Copy and paste | Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V |
| Hotbar groups | 10 groups with 10 slots each |
Sources
Official references used for this field guide.