The Last Starwiki - User contributions [en]

FAQ

2026-02-06T18:45:11Z

Spacekitty656: Added a FAQ for the known issue of floors not appearing under diagonal floors.

This article answers some commonly asked questions and addresses common points of confusion.
== Gameplay ==
=== What does this item do? ===
{{Main|List of undetermined items}}
While playing the game, you may come across some items or equipment that are not explained. Often, these items are part of systems that Introversion is still developing.
=== How can I move crew members, resources, or items between ships? ===
There are two ways to transfer items between your ships. Firstly, you can transfer items via drones using the logistics menu. This will allow you to transfer all items except [[Crew Member|crew members]].

The second method is to [[#Can I dock my ships?|dock your ship]]. Once connected, you can use the logistics menu to transfer items between your ships, including crew members. In this case, your crew will carry them over instead of the drones.

'''Note:''' Your fleet only requires one [[FTL Drive]]. When activated, all ships—even those without fuel, engines, or crew—will enter FTL travel.
=== How can I get crew to newly purchased ships? ===
Before you purchase anything else for your ship, select the newly purchased ship and buy a matching number of crew members and [[spacesuit]]s. If you purchase other items first, they will be stuck in the queue without anyone to move them. If you don't buy spacesuits, the crew members will refuse to leave the [[Cargo Shuttle]].

You may also [[#Can I dock my ships?|dock your old ship]] to your new ship and using the logistics menu transfer your crew over. They will automatically put on a spacesuit if there is no atmosphere in the other ship.
=== Can I dock my ships? ===
[[File:DockingDiagram.png|250px|thumb|right|The docking view]]
Yes. Using the [[Tactical Screen]], align the two diamond-shaped dots outside your docking ports. When done correctly, the docking port extends and connects to the other ship.

'''Note:''' You can only transfer items ''from'' the selected ship to others. If you want to transfer fuel from Ship A to Ship B and oxygen from Ship B to Ship A, you need to select Ship A to transfer the fuel, then select Ship B to transfer the oxygen.
=== Can I sell a ship? ===
Yes. Simply click the 'Sell' button in the top right when you are at a Shipyard. Note that you cannot re-buy a sold ship. It will be sold for its exact value unless the star system is close to the anomaly in which case it'll be sold for a diminished price.
=== How can I repair damage on my ship? ===
To repair the hull on the ship, visit a Shipyard, then use the ''Construction'' menu → ''Shipyard'' → ''Repair''. Drones can do a patch-up repair that will restore some hit points. To do this, you need a [[Drone Bay]] and some [[Logistics Drone]]s. Once that system is set up, you must enable ''Repair'' in the ''Orders'' menu. A crew member will load Drones into the Drone Bay for repairs.

Crew members will repair equipment on your ship. Sometimes, due to a bug, they will not repair equipment. In this case, dismantle and reinstall the item to remove the damage. '''Note:''' Dismantling tanks destroys their contents.
=== How can I build habitation? How do I add on to my ship? ===
Travel to a system with a Shipyard, then use the Construction menu to add habitation, hull, floors and walls.
=== How do I loot derelict ships? ===
To loot derelict ships, you need a [[Drone Bay]] and some [[Logistics Drone]]s. Once that system is set up, you must enable ''Gather Resources'' and ''Gather Salvage'' in the ''Orders'' menu. A crew member will load Drones into the Drone Bay to gather the loot.
=== The cargo shuttle is docked to my ship, nothing is being unloaded, and it won't leave ===
A lack of storage space typically causes the cargo shuttle to refuse to undock. There are things left that the cargo shuttle needs to unload, but it has no room to place them anywhere. Use the ''Storage'' menu to assign general storage so crew members can continue unloading the cargo shuttle. If lack of storage is not the issue, ensure that your crew is not prioritizing other tasks.
=== Why can't I place floor tiles? ===
To place floor tiles for your ship, the area in which you place them must already be covered in hull.
=== What can I do if I run out of FTL charges or fuel and am stuck? ===
If you are stuck in a system without access to the Trade menu and don't have enough fuel for power or FTL charges to make it to another system, you can cheat by editing your save file. Instructions for this are provided in the [[save file]] article.

'''Note:''' Only one ship in your fleet needs a working FTL Drive. All other ships will jump with it.
=== Why can't I accept a Passenger Transport contract, despite having enough habitation space? ===
This usually indicates that part of your [[Habitation Deck]] is unreachable. The habitation deck is affected by obstacles on the Engineering Deck, so walls and doors will keep passengers from reaching blocked off areas of the Habitation Deck, leading to overcrowding near the ladders. You can get around this by using the "Open Doors" command when accepting/turning in contracts.

Be aware that atmosphere and sewer collection are also affected by this separation and may not function properly with doors closed. You can either continue playing with Doors Open active, or keep a careful eye on your atmosphere and sewage levels.
=== How can I export or share my ships? ===
{{Main|Ships#Sharing_ships}}
You can export your ship to the Steam Workshop or to a file via the game menu. Check the main article linked above for further information.

== Known Bugs ==
=== Why do I only see the background and no other graphics? ===
Alpha 4 introduced a bug that causes graphics to disappear. Please see bug tracker issues {{Issue|58|Ships disappear on zoom out}} and {{Issue|64| All Graphics Disappear}}.
=== I sold a spacesuit and my crew member disappeared ===
This is a graphical bug in Alpha 2 and 3. The crew member is still available and will continue to perform jobs. They are simply invisible.
=== I earned money in Hyperspace, but it disappeared after I exited ===
There is a known issue with the [[Contract#Analyse|Analyse]] contract rewards. In some cases, the reward money will be given while you are in Hyperspace, but the money will disappear when you exit Hyperspace. We are currently unaware of a fix for the issue.

=== When I build diagonal walls I can see through the floor out to empty space, is my ship going to lose its atmosphere? ===
This is a graphical bug only and does not affect your atmosphere nor the toughness of your ship.

== System issues ==
=== Why doesn't my sewage pipe work? ===
The sewage pipe must be placed beneath a habitation block, and there must be a sewage pipe for each separate habitation block.
=== Why does a piece of equipment say it is "blocked"? ===
Systems such as the [[CO2 Scrubber]] or [[Air Reprocessor]] can sometimes become blocked and stop processing. This happens when there is no place for the system's output to go, either because a tank is full or because the system it feeds into is not processing quickly enough.
=== Why don't my thrusters work? ===
When docking ships, it is necessary to do fine control using the [[Tactical]] view. Thruster controls do not appear to work when game time is sped up. Resetting the game time speed to 1x should resolve the issue.
== Preferences ==
=== Where can I find a list of key-binds or controls? ===
All known key-binds are listed on [[Controls]].
=== My monitor displays a "video signal lost" message when I start the game ===
This typically happens when the game incorrectly detects your resolution. The resolution is too large or too small for your monitor to handle. You can generally exit the game from this state by using <kbd>Alt</kbd> + <kbd>Tab</kbd>. End the game's process and follow the instructions below to manually change the game's resolution or switch to windowed mode.
=== How can I change the game's resolution or play in windowed mode? ===
{{Main|Preferences#Resolution}}
You can change the game's resolution or enable windowed mode by modifying the <code>preferences.txt</code> file.
=== The interface is too big or too small, or menu items run off the edge of the screen. How can I fix it? ===
You can increase or decrease the zoom level of interface elements by using the <kbd>-</kbd> and <kbd>+</kbd> keys.
=== How can I change the game's language? ===
The game currently has official translations to French, Spanish, and German. There are also [https://github.com/Totengeist/LastStarshipTranslations community-provided translations] available. To change the game's language, go to Settings and select your preferred language from the ''Language'' dropdown.
== Streaming, modding, community ==
=== Is streaming the game allowed? ===
Yes! [https://steamcommunity.com/app/1857080/discussions/0/3458219850125006962/ Introversion has encouraged] streaming the game.
=== What community resources are available? ===
In addition to this wiki, there is a [https://discord.gg/AcCgj3T5sH Discord server], a [https://www.reddit.com/r/TheLastStarship/ subreddit], the [https://steamcommunity.com/app/1857080 Steam] and [https://www.gog.com/forum/the_last_starship GOG] discussion boards, and various [Community Resources|community-provided resources] to enhance your gameplay. You can also share or download ships, saves, and mods with [https://shipyard.tls-wiki.com/ Shipyard].
=== Is there modding support? ===
{{Main|Modding}}
There is currently no official modding support, but some information is available in our [[Modding]] article.
== Development ==
=== Can I play the game on Linux or Steam Deck? ===
The game runs properly on [https://steamcommunity.com/app/1857080/discussions/0/3419934694739970083/ Steam Deck]. There is no information on a Linux port at this time.
=== Where can I leave feedback or report bugs? ===
The best place to leave feedback and report bugs is on the [https://steamcommunity.com/app/1857080/discussions/ Steam discussion boards].
=== Will there be multiplayer? ===
[[Introversion Software|Introversion]] has stated that plans for multiplayer are still unclear. If multiplayer were to be introduced, it would be late in the [[Early Access]] period.
=== Is the game based on Deep Space Industrial? ===
Loosely. [[Deep Space Industrial]] is the direct predecessor to [[The Last Starship]], but the game is based on several ideas explored in [[Chris Delay's FAIL Masterclass]].
=== How can I view changelogs? ===
Official Introversion changelogs are available on the [https://steamcommunity.com/app/1857080/announcements/ Steam announcements page]. We also host the changelogs on the [[Version History]] page, which may include further notes from the community.

Creative Mode

2026-02-05T23:42:09Z

Spacekitty656: Unfinished draft for major features of the Creative Game mode.

Creative mode allows the player to build ships without restrictions such as money or waiting for the [[Cargo Shuttle]] to deliver [[Systems]].

== Editor ==
The primary use of creative mode is creating or editing ships using the Editor tab. The editor tab can be accessed by selecting the Editor button found in the bar on the bottom of the screen. Once the editor tab is selected the build grid will appear. The player may then choose between drawing, erasing, or painting.

Queued changes made in the editor tab will not affect the ship until the player clicks on the confirm button on the right side of the Editor bar. The exception to this is Painting which is applied instantaneously. Queued changes can be cleared by selecting the desired tiles with the right mouse button instead of the left. This can not be used to undo changes that have already been confirmed.

Queued changes will only be cleared for the tile type selected. For example, if there are Hull and Floor changes queued and the player right click drags over an area with Hull selected only the queued Hull changes in that area will be cleared.

=== Draw ===
Selecting Draw allows the player to draw various types of tiles into the build grid.

==== Hull ====
Hull tiles are one of the only tiles that can be placed in empty space (the other being Scaffold tiles). Many Systems can only be placed on hull tiles

==== Floors ====
The only way to place floor tiles is by turning existing Hull/Wall tiles into floor by painting over them. Floors must be completely surrounded by Hull/Wall tiles. The game will not allow the player to convert Hull/Wall tiles into floor if the tile is exposed to open space.

==== Walls ====
Wall tiles are functionally indistinguishable from Hull tiles except for the way in which they are added. Wall tiles can only be drawn on top of floor tiles, effectively changing the tile back into a Hull tile.

==== Armour ====
Armour is painted over the ship's exterior, increasing the [[Toughness]] of the tile. Since armour affects the exterior of the ship it can be painted over Hull, Floor, Wall and Habitation tiles.

==== Habitation ====
Habitation tiles are painted over the ship's exterior, increasing the number of cabins onboard the ship. A ship generally cannot take on more personnel or passengers than the number of cabins on the ship. In order for habitation tiles to add to the number of cabins it must be part of a contiguous section of habitation tiles with at least one [[Ladder]] below it.

==== Scaffold ====
Scaffold tiles are tiles which are outside of your ship but can still hold certain Systems. Some Systems which can be placed on Floor tiles can also be placed on Scaffold tiles. There are some systems which can only be placed on scaffolding, for example [[Solar Panel|Solar Panels]]. Pipes and Cables can travel through scaffold tiles just like Hull and Floor tiles.

==== Spawn ====
The spawn button allows the player to add Systems to a ship without having to buy them or wait for a crew member to install it. Once a System is selected from the Spawn window the player may press 'R' to rotate and left click to place the System in a valid location. If a location becomes invalid after a System is placed a warning symbol will appear and the System will cease to function.

==== Create Ship ====
The Create Ship button will create an empty ship with a separate build grid from the one previously being edited. The previous ship will continue to exist and can be switched to by selecting it from the Ship list.

=== Erase ===
The Erase tab will allow the player to remove confirmed changes for Hull, Wall, Armour, Habitation and Scaffold tiles.

=== Paint ===
TBD

=== Shape options ===
While the Editor tab is open the player will be presented with the option to Draw, Erase, or Paint in a variety of shapes.

==== Freehand ====
While Freehand is selected any tile the cursor passes over while the left mouse button is held will be Drawn, Erased or Painted.

==== Box Tool ====
While Box Tool is selected holding the left mouse button will Draw, Erase or Paint in a box with corners located where the player began and ended the mouse drag. Holding right mouse button will clear changes in the affected area.

==== Oval Tool ====
While the Oval Tool is selected left click dragging will Draw, Erase or Paint an ellipse that fits within the box dragged by the cursor.

== Symmetry ==
While the editor tab is selected two labels will appear with the word "Symmetry". These labels can be dragged horizontally or vertically to adjust the line of symmetry for future edits of the ship. Symmetry lines can be placed on a half-tile, allowing ships with odd width or height.

Either symmetry line can be enabled by left or right clicking clicking its label. A symmetry line can only be disabled by right clicking the label.

== Importing a Ship ==
While playing Creative Mode two options are added to the pause menu for "Import Friendly" and "Import Hostile". Either of these options allow the player to choose a ship from their saved ship designs or community ships they have subscribed to. The imported ship will have all items and personnel that were present during editing, unlike the fabricate ship option which will only spawn in the body and Systems of the ship.

Importing a Friendly ship will allow the player to control and edit it just like a ship that has been created by other means. Importing a Hostile will spawn in a ship controlled by the AI which will attempt to attack Friendly ships if they are able.

Trade

2026-02-04T22:06:39Z

Spacekitty656: Added a section describing how auto-trade works with screenshots from the game.

[[File:TradeScreenExample.png|400px|thumb|right|alt=Example of the Trade Screen.|Example of the Trade Screen.]]
The [[Trade]] menu allows players to buy and sell goods acquired during travel. Goods are exchanged via a [[Cargo Shuttle]] that arrives at the [[Docking Bay]] of the [[ship]].

All items may not be listed as purchasable at any given sector. It is simply luck of the draw to what the player gets. All objects prices increase as the player goes into a higher sector number as they should have more money to spend. In addition, if on the [[Survival]] [[gamemode]]<ref>This also occurs at some sectors, at a rate that is lower than anomaly.</ref>, prices may fluctuate based on the distance from the anomaly. Usually, objects have a lower price and items have a higher price when the player is closer to the [[anomaly]]; the maximum discount for objects is 80% and the largest price hike for items is 400% its original value.

== Auto-trade ==
[[File:Auto trade fuel and food (v1.0).png|alt=Screenshot of auto-trade|thumb|Example of auto-trade]]
Auto-trade is a feature of the trade window which can be accessed by clicking the small arrow button on the right side of any item being shown.

The "buy below" number box serves as a way for ships to automatically replenish their supplies without player output. If the currently selected ship's stock of the item falls below the value in this box the ship will automatically put in an order to purchase this item. For example: If the buy below value for [[FTL charges]] is set to 5 and the ship currently has 4 FLT charges it will purchase more charges from the store if they are available.

The "sell above" number box serves as a way for ships to automatically unload surplus supplies for profit. If the currently selected ship's stock of the item rises above the value in this box the ship will automatically summon the Cargo Shuttle to sell the surplus.

The player may left click on the number boxes to increment the value by one, shift-left click to increment by five or control left click to set the value to "ALL". Similarly the player may right click to decrement the value by one, shift-right click to decrement by five or control right click to clear the value.
[[File:Screenshot of auto trade button.png|alt=Clicking the auto trade button will open the auto trade window|thumb|Example of the auto trade button opening the auto-trade window]]
Auto-trade settings will not take affect until the player checks the Confirm check box that appears on the right side of the auto-trade sub bar after values have been entered. Once auto-trade values have been set up for a particular ship, the values can then be edited by selecting the "auto trade" button that now appears over the "sell" button in the trade window. On this screen the player may temporarily disable an auto-trade for a particular item by unchecking the "enabled" check box that appears on the right side of its line and reenable auto-trades by rechecking the enabled check box.

Auto-trade values apply to the currently selected ship and will only take its current stock of items into account when making trades. If the player has multiple ships and wants all of them to have a particular auto-trade set up, they must select each ship individually and manually enter the desired trade above and below values.

== Categories ==
=== Energy ===
* [[Reactor]]
* [[Fusion Reactor]]
* [[Battery]]
* [[Medium Tank]]
* [[Loader]]
* [[Fuel Loader]]
* [[Fuel]]
* [[Deuterium]]
=== Propulsion ===
* Medium Tank
* Loader
* Fuel Loader
* [[Engine]]
* [[Thruster]]
* [[FTL Drive]]
* Fuel
* [[FTL Charge]]
=== Habitation ===
* [[Small Tank]]
* Loader
* [[Oxygen Loader]]
* [[Airduct]]
* [[CO2 Scrubber]]
* [[Spacesuit Pod]]
* [[Door]]
* [[Docking Port]]
* [[Sewage Pipe]]
* [[Waste Treatment Machine]]
* [[Water Purifier]]
* [[Oxygen Maker]]
* [[Air Reprocessor]]
* [[Ice Grinder]]
* [[Ladder]]
* [[Hydroponic Garden]]
* [[Oxygen]]
* [[Water]]
* [[Food]]
* [[Sewage]]
* [[Waste Water]]
* [[Compost]]
* [[CO2]]
* [[Seeds]]
* [[Spacesuit]]
=== Defence ===
* [[Gatling Gun]]
* [[Railgun]]
* [[Cannon]]
* [[Munitions Bench]]
* [[Bullets]]
* [[Railgun Slugs]]
* [[Cannon Shells]]
* [[Explosives]]
=== Industry ===
* [[Mining Laser]]
* [[Drone Bay]]
* [[Smelter]]
* Ice Grinder
* [[Gas Collector]]
* [[Refinery]]
* [[Chemical Lab]]
* [[Hyperspace Scoop]]
* Munitions Bench
* [[Fabricator]]
* [[Assembly Table]]
* [[Robot Arm]]
* [[Short Robot Arm]]
* [[Smart Robot Arm]]
* [[Track]]
* [[Scrap Metal]]
* [[Metal Ingot]]
* [[Ore#Precious Ore|Precious Ore]]
*[[Metal#Precious Metal|Precious Metal]]
*[[Ore#Tilium Ore|Tilium Ore]]
*[[Tilium Crystals]]
*[[Metal#Metallic Minerals|Metallic Minerals]]
*[[Copper Minerals]]
*[[Copper Ingot]]
*[[Metreon Gas]]
*[[Refined Metreon]]
*Explosives
*[[Hyperspace Isotopes]]
*[[Logistics Drone]]
===Logistics ===
*[[Huge Tank]]
*Medium Tank
*Small Tank
*Loader
*Fuel Loader
*Oxygen Loader
*Drone Bay
*[[Docking Port]]
*Gas Collector
*Refinery
*Chemical Lab
*Hyperspace Scoop
*Munitions Bench
*Fabricator
*Assembly Table
*Hydroponic Garden
*Robot Arm
*Short Robot Arm
*Smart Robot Arm
*Track
*Logistics Drone
===Science ===
*[[Hyperspace Sensor]]
*[[Hyperspace Sensor LR]]
*[[Science Station]]
*[[Supercomputer]]
*[[Energy Transmitter]]
*[[Crew Member#Scientist|Scientist]]
===Resources===
*Fuel
*Oxygen
*[[Energy Cell]]
*FTL Charge
* Bullets
*Railgun Slugs
* Cannon Shells
* Water
*Food
*Sewage
*Waste Water
*Compost
*CO2
*Deuterium
*Scrap Metal
*Metal Ingot
*Precious Ore
*Precious Metals
*Tilium Ore
*Tilium Crystals
*Metallic Minerals
*Copper Minerals
* Copper Ingots
*Metreon Gas
*Refined Metreon
*Explosives
*Hyperspace Isotopes
*[[Seeds]]
===Components===
*[[Frame]]
*[[Motor]]
*[[Energy Coil]]
*[[Lens]]
*[[Stargate Frame]]
*[[Stargate Resin]]
*[[Stargate Actuator]]
*[[Stargate Receiver]]
===Crew===
*[[Spacesuit]]
*[[Crew Member|Crew]]
*[[Crew Member#Scientist|Scientist]]
==History==

{{Prehistory|Update1.rc2|Introduced with different colour objects per category.}}
{{Prehistory|DEMO3A|Updated trade screen design with distinct categories.}}

[[Category:Game mechanics]]
[[Category:Interface elements]]

<references />

File:Screenshot of auto trade button.png

2026-02-04T22:01:12Z

Spacekitty656:

Screenshot illustrating how clicking the "auto trade" button opens the aut-trade window

File:Auto trade fuel and food (v1.0).png

2026-02-04T21:51:49Z

Spacekitty656:

A screen shot of the auto-trade sub bar for fuel and food with values in the buy below and buy above number boxes

File:Example of auto-trade feature (v1.0).png

2026-02-04T21:31:28Z

Spacekitty656:

A screenshot of the trade window focusing on the fuel line item. The auto-trade sub line has been expanded with both number boxes empty.