How to Automate in StarRupture

Automation is the key to progressing efficiently in StarRupture. Instead of manually gathering resources and crafting items, automation systems let machines do the work while you explore, build, or fight enemies.

This guide covers everything you need to know about automation in StarRupture: what automation is, how to start with basic systems, mid-game factory setups, advanced optimization techniques, and common mistakes to avoid. Whether you're just unlocking your first conveyor belt or building massive production lines, this guide will help you automate efficiently.

Automation in StarRupture refers to using machines and systems to automatically gather, process, and craft resources without manual input. This includes:

Core Automation Systems

• Mining Drills: Automatically extract ore from resource deposits
• Conveyor Belts: Transport items between machines
• Assemblers: Craft items automatically from input materials
• Smelters: Process raw ore into refined materials
• Storage Systems: Automatically sort and store items
• Power Systems: Generate electricity to run machines

Why Automate?

Automation provides massive benefits:

• Save Time: Machines work 24/7 while you do other tasks
• Scale Production: Produce thousands of items per hour
• Free Your Time: Focus on exploration, combat, and building
• Consistent Output: Never run out of essential materials
• Late Game Requirement: Advanced tech requires automated production

Most players start automation around day 5-7. The sooner you automate, the faster you'll progress!

Before you can start automating, you need to unlock certain technologies and gather key resources:

Required Technologies

• Basic Automation (Tech Tree unlock)
• Conveyor Systems
• Power Generation
• Advanced Crafting

Check our tech tree guide for the fastest unlock path.

Essential Resources

Your first automation systems should focus on the most time-consuming tasks: mining and smelting.

Step 1: Build Your First Mining Drill

Mining drills automatically extract ore from resource deposits.

1. Find a rich iron or copper deposit
2. Craft a mining drill (requires 20x Iron, 10x Copper, 5x Gears)
3. Place drill directly on the resource deposit
4. Connect power source (generator or power line)
5. Add output chest to collect mined ore

Result: Passive ore generation while you do other tasks!

Step 2: Automate Smelting

Connect your mining drill to automated smelters.

1. Build 2-3 furnaces near your drill
2. Craft basic conveyor belts (5x Iron each)
3. Connect drill output → conveyor → furnace input
4. Add fuel input (coal or wood) to furnaces
5. Connect furnace output → storage chest

Pro tip: Use splitters to distribute ore evenly across multiple furnaces for faster processing.

Step 3: Set Up Power Generation

All machines need power to operate.

• Coal Generator: Burns coal for steady power (early game)
• Solar Panels: Free power during daytime (mid game)
• Wind Turbines: Consistent power in windy areas
• Batteries: Store excess power for nighttime

Start with 2-3 coal generators. Upgrade to solar + batteries later for free power.

Step 4: Your First Production Line

Create a simple automated production line:

This simple setup will produce 60-100 iron ingots per hour automatically!

Once you have basic mining and smelting automated, expand to more complex systems.

Advanced Conveyor Systems

Learn to use advanced conveyor components:

• Splitters: Divide items between multiple outputs (50/50 split)
• Mergers: Combine multiple inputs into one output
• Filters: Sort items by type automatically
• Underground Belts: Pass conveyors under other structures
• Fast Belts: 2x speed for high-throughput lines

Automated Crafting with Assemblers

Assemblers automatically craft items from input materials:

1. Build an assembler (30x Steel, 20x Electronics)
2. Set the recipe you want to automate (e.g., gears, circuits, ammo)
3. Connect input conveyors with required materials
4. Connect output conveyor to storage or next machine
5. Ensure steady power supply

Multi-Stage Production Lines

Chain multiple machines for complex items:

Smart Storage Systems

Organize your production with smart storage:

• Filtered Chests: Only accept specific item types
• Storage Arrays: Multiple chests connected by conveyors
• Overflow Protection: Redirect excess items to secondary storage
• Priority Systems: Fill important chests first

Late game automation focuses on massive scale, efficiency, and complex production chains.

Factory Design Principles

• Main Bus Design: Central conveyor highway feeding all production lines
• Modular Sections: Separate areas for different production types
• Scalability: Leave space to expand production lines
• Clear Pathways: Easy access for maintenance and upgrades

Resource Ratios and Balancing

Balance your production to avoid bottlenecks:

Power Optimization

Advanced power systems for large factories:

• Solar Farms: 50+ solar panels with battery banks
• Nuclear Power: Massive power output (late game)
• Power Switches: Turn off sections when not needed
• Backup Generators: Emergency power during outages

Logistics Networks

Connect multiple production areas:

• Long-distance conveyor lines between bases
• Train systems for bulk transport (if available)
• Drone delivery systems for remote areas
• Automated loading and unloading stations

Tip #1: Start Small, Scale Up

Don't try to automate everything at once. Start with one production line, get it working, then expand.

• Week 1: Automate iron mining and smelting
• Week 2: Add copper production and basic crafting
• Week 3: Build complex multi-stage production lines

Tip #2: Plan Your Layout

Leave space between production lines for future expansion and maintenance.

• Use grid-based layouts for clean organization
• Leave 5-10 tiles between major sections
• Plan conveyor routes before building machines

Tip #3: Monitor Bottlenecks

Watch for backed-up conveyors or idle machines:

• Backed-up conveyors = too much input or not enough output
• Idle machines = not enough input materials
• Add more machines or faster conveyors to fix bottlenecks

Tip #4: Use Color Coding

Paint conveyors and machines by function:

• Red = Iron production
• Orange = Copper production
• Blue = Electronics
• Green = Final products

Tip #5: Automate Resource Collection First

Prioritize automating the most time-consuming tasks:

1. Mining (iron, copper, coal)
2. Smelting (ore → ingots)
3. Basic components (gears, wires, circuits)
4. Advanced crafting (tools, weapons, ammo)

Learn more about resource priorities in our best resources guide.

x Mistake #1: Not Enough Power

Building too many machines without enough power generation.

Solution: Build 2-3 generators for every 5-10 machines. Monitor power usage and add capacity before expanding.

x Mistake #2: Spaghetti Conveyors

Messy, tangled conveyor belts that are impossible to maintain or expand.

Solution: Use main bus design with organized parallel lines. Plan routes before building.

x Mistake #3: Ignoring Ratios

Building unbalanced production lines with bottlenecks.

Solution: Use the ratio table above. Match machine counts to production rates.

x Mistake #4: No Storage Buffers

Production stops when output is full because there's no storage.

Solution: Add large storage chests at the end of every production line. Use overflow systems.

x Mistake #5: Building Too Close Together

No room to expand or add new production lines.

Solution: Leave 5-10 tiles between sections. Plan for future expansion from the start.

Days 1-5: Manual Gathering

• Focus on unlocking automation technologies
• Gather resources manually: iron, copper, coal
• Build basic infrastructure and power systems
• Research conveyor belts and mining drills

Days 5-10: First Automation

• Build first mining drill on iron deposit
• Set up automated smelting with 2-3 furnaces
• Create basic conveyor system
• Install coal generators for power
• Result: 60-100 iron ingots/hour passive income

Days 10-15: Expansion Phase

• Add copper mining and smelting automation
• Build first assemblers for basic components
• Automate gear and wire production
• Upgrade to fast conveyor belts
• Add storage systems and filters

Days 15-20: Complex Production

• Multi-stage production lines for circuits
• Automated ammo and tool production
• Solar power systems with batteries
• Main bus design implementation
• Result: 500+ items/hour across multiple products

Week 3+: Mega Factory

• Massive production arrays with 20+ machines
• Automated production of all basic items
• Advanced logistics and transport systems
• Nuclear power or large solar farms
• Result: Thousands of items/hour, fully automated base

Q: When should I start automating?

Start automation around day 5-7 after you've unlocked the basic automation technology and gathered 200+ iron and 150+ copper. The sooner you automate, the faster you'll progress.

Q: What should I automate first?

Automate iron mining and smelting first. Iron is the most important resource and mining it manually is very time-consuming. Set up one mining drill with 2-3 furnaces connected by conveyors.

Q: How much power do I need?

Each machine uses 5-10 power units. Start with 2-3 coal generators (30 power each) for your first automation setup. Add more generators as you expand. Late game, switch to solar panels with batteries.

Q: Why are my conveyors backing up?

Backed-up conveyors mean you're producing more than you're consuming. Add more output machines, increase storage capacity, or use splitters to distribute items to multiple production lines.

Q: How do I organize my factory?

Use a main bus design: create a central conveyor highway with parallel lines for different resources (iron, copper, circuits). Branch off this main bus for specific production areas. Leave space between sections for expansion.

Q: Can I automate everything?

Yes! Late game, you can automate almost everything: mining, smelting, crafting, even base defense. The goal is to have machines produce all basic items while you focus on exploration, combat, and advanced projects. Check our crafting tips guide for more automation strategies.

Automation is essential for efficient progression in StarRupture. Start with basic mining and smelting automation around day 5-7, then gradually expand to complex multi-stage production lines and massive factories.

Key Takeaways

• ✓ Start automation early (day 5-7) for maximum benefit
• ✓ Automate iron mining and smelting first
• ✓ Build 2-3 generators for every 5-10 machines
• ✓ Use main bus design for organized factories
• ✓ Balance production ratios to avoid bottlenecks
• ✓ Leave space between sections for future expansion
• ✓ Add storage buffers at the end of production lines
• ✓ Monitor power usage and add capacity before expanding
• ✓ Use splitters and filters for complex routing
• ✓ Scale up gradually: start small, expand systematically

Remember: Automation is an investment that pays off exponentially. The time you spend setting up production lines will save you hundreds of hours of manual gathering. Start simple, learn the systems, then build your dream factory!