Sandustry Beginner Guide

Sandustry is a factory automation sandbox by Lantto Games, published by Hooded Horse. The core idea is simple to state and surprisingly deep to play: every pixel of the terrain is a simulated resource. You dig sand, move it, process it and chain machines together until the dunes run themselves.

This guide covers the first hours so you start with a clear plan instead of a hole in the ground.

What you actually do in Sandustry

The loop is:

1. Dig sand and raw materials out of the terrain.
2. Transport them with machines such as the Launcher.
3. Process them with machines such as the Shaker.
4. Collect the output with Collectors and turn it into something useful — or sell it.

Almost everything you build exists to automate one of those four steps. If you ever feel stuck, ask: which of the four steps is still manual?

Your first 30 minutes

• Follow the in-game objectives — the early milestones teach the loop one machine at a time.
• Start small: one digging spot, one Launcher line, one Shaker, one Collector.
• Watch the flow. If a machine idles, the chain before it is empty; if items pile up, the chain after it is too slow.
• Keep your first factory compact. A small working line teaches more than a sprawling one that jams.

The three starter machines

| Machine | Role | Tip | |---|---|---| | Launcher | Propels items along a line | The backbone of every transport chain | | Shaker | Separates and filters materials | Place it where raw output meets your storage | | Collector | Gathers and stores produced items | Balance its speed with the machines feeding it |

Details and exact recipes live on the official Sandustry wiki — always check it before planning a big build.

Early goals to aim for

• Automate your first full chain: dig → Launcher → Shaker → Collector.
• Stockpile your first useful material (sand is the obvious start).
• Unlock Florin and Florinol, the early power resources (see our Florin & Florinol guide).
• Build toward your first gold factory once the basics feel automatic.

Common beginner mistakes

• Digging by hand too long — the game is about automation; let machines do the work.
• Building too big too fast — a jammed mega-factory teaches less than a smooth small one.
• Ignoring the flow — watch each machine's input and output before adding more.

Start with the First Factory guide for a concrete step-by-step build.

Unofficial fan-made guide for the factory automation sandbox Sandustry by Lantto Games and Hooded Horse. All trademarks belong to their respective owners. · Official Wiki