How machine and inventory upgrades work
Upgrade machines in Probably Stolen with matching materials or compatible modules; get equipment from Dr. Jackson's workshop and specialist services through Joe Wild's network.
For more inventory space, consider the larger storage bays Dr. Jackson offers during the custom-order visit shown in older playtest footage.Playing this video connects to YouTube.
The Bottle Printer and Vacuum Robot material upgrades below are available in the demo. The full release is planned for October 28, 2026. The updated interface shown in the aquafarming announcement belongs to the full release, so expect its layout to differ from the demo.
Where to get equipment and upgrade services
Dr. Jackson's workshop supplies tools, machines and modules. Open and preview a machine or container before buying it to inspect the layout. Compare its input slots, module bay and energy requirements with the work you need it to do.
Joe Wild's network provides specialist services and starter equipment for activities such as farming and ranching. The demo's Retired Aquafarmer network upgrade introduces a merchant selling fish-raising equipment. Treat unlocking another production line as a separate spending decision from improving equipment you already use.
Upgrade the Bottle Printer with Electronic Parts
- Use three Electronic Parts on the Bottle Printer to upgrade from 450 ml bottles to 750 ml bottles.
- Use six additional Electronic Parts for the next Bottle Printer upgrade, unlocking 2,000 ml bottles.
Choose the bottle size your current production needs before spending parts. Keep the next upgrade in mind when deciding which materials to sell. Avoid expanding simply because you can if another part of your shop needs the investment more urgently.
Add the Vacuum Robot's incinerator
- Use one Common Electronic on the Vacuum Robot to unlock its built-in incinerator.
- Turn on the incinerator to destroy feces in the robot's storage after cleanup; enabling it doubles the robot's normal power consumption.
Budget for the higher power draw before leaving incineration enabled. Weigh the convenience of destroying collected waste against your available battery charge. Prioritize a dependable power setup if cleanup is already stretching your supply.
Choose modules before buying another machine
Module Bay Expansion Kits increase module capacity on compatible machines. Quality, Performance and Efficiency effects depend on what the particular machine supports. Check the supported effects, module condition and available shapes together before committing to an upgrade.
| Option | When to consider it |
|---|---|
| Quality modules | Choose these when the machine supports improvements to output quality. |
| Performance modules | Consider these for throughput improvements where that effect is supported. |
| Efficiency modules | Use supported energy-saving effects when battery demand limits your setup. |
- Preview the machine's module bay before buying an expansion kit or replacement, so you can judge the available room.
- Rotate or flip dragged modules using mouse wheel up, mouse wheel down or middle click to help fit their shapes into the bay.
- Compare the proposed layout's module wear and battery demand with the cost of another device before deciding which purchase helps your shop most.
Expand storage and organize your tools
- Buy the Toolbox from Dr. Jackson after day 14 to store tools, including the blue and red labelers.
Choose an extended Storage Bay from that offer for general stock; the older playtest comparison shows more storage space than an expanded Machine Bay.Playing this video connects to YouTube.
- Right-click a grid inventory to open its contextual sorting menu and organize the items already inside.
The Toolbox also lets you equip the corresponding stored tool with keys 1 through 9. For moving stock, drag a selection box around multiple items to move them together. Hold Shift while dragging the selection into another inventory for precise placement.
Expand and repair Animal Cages
Use an owned metal ingot on the Animal Cage to increase its size; each size upgrade also adds 20 maximum durability and 20 current durability in the demo.Playing this video connects to YouTube.
Use owned scrap metal on the Animal Cage to repair it; scrap restores 50% of maximum durability in the demo.Playing this video connects to YouTube.
Support upgrades with overnight charging
A Recharger requires batteries inside it, while a PowerBloc works on eligible touching batteries or machines. Both depend on the nightly Power Service being paid unless you have the service that makes it free. Check charging capacity alongside an upgrade's energy demand before adding more equipment.
Joe Wild's Power Line Hijack Service costs 300 credits in the demo and makes nightly Power Service free. His Commercial Grade Power Supply Unit Service costs 350 credits and makes the Recharger and PowerBloc charge 100% quicker. Compare those shop-wide benefits with another machine purchase when charging is holding back equipment you already own.