Quick answer
Move with WASD; Space jumps; C crouches; Shift sprints; F interacts; left mouse grabs; right mouse throws after its upgrade; hold middle mouse and move the mouse to rotate; R toggles Snap Mode. Feed the first Rubber Duck to the Maw, then improve the shortest failing section instead of building a whole factory at once.
Before the first product
- Confirm bindings and practice grab, rotate, Snap Mode, and a short throw on empty floor.
- If input feels soft or the facility stutters, disable the retro effect, set details to LOW, and lower resolution.
- Make a dated copy of the whole save folder before testing a restore.
The first-hour loop
Craft or collect a Rubber Duck, carry it to the Maw, earn currency, read the newly opened terminal row, and buy only the upgrade that removes the current manual step. Your first useful factory is a visible source, a short lane, local airflow, side containment only where a Duck escapes, and a wide catch.
Stop and diagnose when
- products gather in a growing pile;
- one corner needs several corrective Fans;
- you cannot see where products leave the intended line;
- new production arrives before the previous product clears.
A safer spending order
First buy enough production or value to keep progression moving. Next buy the one transport tool that fixes a witnessed bottleneck. Delay decorative walls, complete roofs, duplicate high-tier Fans, and speed upgrades that only create a faster jam.
Reading order
- Rubber Duck automation
- Cash Register automation
- Four-phase progression
- Controls, saves, and performance
- What Should I Do Next?
Sources and evidence
Official controls and performance advice: developer Steam FAQ and announcements. Progression and platform support: official Steam store.