Quick answer
Project P.I.T.T. progression revolves around feeding the current product, earning and spending currency, opening the next production phase, then learning a new product and set of tools. When stuck, check the current terminal, newly unlocked physical controls, and any item that may have fallen out of reach before rebuilding the whole factory.
Plan around future-machine markings
v1.0.7 adds ground markings showing where future machines will appear. Treat the marked footprint as reserved space: route early lanes beside it and prefer reversible panels until that phase unlocks. The markings are official; the keep-clear layout advice is an editorial recommendation.
Source: official v1.0.7 Steam announcement.
Phase 1 — Ducks
Feed the first Duck for QWACK!, then turn the manual route into one short visible lane. Community testing reports about 12 Ducks/min from the base Automater and 30 Ducks/min after its spawn upgrade; use those as rough baselines, not guaranteed rates.
- Keep the first lane short and visible.
- Learn which tool tab owns building pieces and which control acts on them.
- Clear loose ducks if a pile hides the real path failure.
Phase 2 — Cash Registers
Cash Registers are bulkier than Ducks and expose narrow corners quickly. Widen transitions, use slick panels where a shape catches, and separate production from transport so you can tell which system is limiting progress.
If your build works intermittently, open the Slick Panel Register Lane pattern before adding more production.
Phase 3 — Piñatas
Current builds no longer use the destructive launch event removed shortly after release. Piñatas need a wider, softer route than Ducks. One recorded save valued a complete Piñata at about $10,000, individual Candy at about $125, and the automatic Piñata machine at about $10 million; check your terminal before buying.
Launch-guide warning
Any guide that tells you to rely on the original Phase 3 destructive event may be outdated. Check its patch date.
Phase 4 — Anomalies
In v1.0.8, any three products can make an Anomaly: three identical products make lower quality, a mix across two product types makes normal quality, and one of each product type makes enhanced quality. Keep the three inputs in separate lanes, stage one complete set, then feed the Anomaly Crafter. A recorded release-build save valued an Anomaly at about $1 million. See the Phase 4 Automation Guide for the full layout.
Endings and cleanup
After the main production arc, remaining work divides into achievements, hidden puzzles, the main ending, and the secret route. Use the Achievement Tracker to separate long-term economy, combo, throughput, puzzle, and ending objectives.
Universal “stuck” checklist
- Confirm you are on v1.0.7 or later.
- Read the currently active terminal and inspect nearby physical buttons.
- Check the Tools tab and any newly purchased or unlocked equipment.
- Use Clear Items to expose the real state of a clogged build.
- Look for a key item or ore that may have become unreachable; v1.0.5 includes recovery fixes.
- Use the What Should I Do Next? helper for a phase-specific route.
Progression FAQ
What should I check first when progression stops?
Read the active terminal, inspect newly unlocked physical controls, and look for a key item that fell out of reach before rebuilding the factory.
Does Phase 3 still destroy the factory?
No. The scripted destructive event was removed shortly after launch. Current v1.0.8 progression does not rely on it.
What is the Anomaly recipe?
In v1.0.8, three identical products make a lower-quality Anomaly, three products across two types make normal quality, and one of each product type makes enhanced quality.
Should I open the secret route before the ordinary ending?
Yes, if you want both routes in one save. Finish the upper-facility puzzle chain and keypad route before committing to the obvious ending.