Reliable Basics First, Big Terraforming Second
In The Planet Crafter, a super common early-game spiral looks like this: you drop a bunch of terraforming machines (machines that raise oxygen, heat, and pressure), your power dips into the red, and suddenly thirst and hunger feel way more stressful. If that is you, take a breath. You are not bad at the game, you are just hitting the first real management wall.
The fix is simple and reliable: build a survival buffer before every expansion. Keep extra power capacity, extra stored water, and food ready to harvest. That one habit makes your base feel calm and steady instead of chaotic.
1) Power: stay comfortably positive
Aim to keep around 25-30% spare power after placing new machines. If power demand goes over supply, terraforming and resource-collecting machines pause (and lights switch off) until generation is restored, so power is always priority one. Add generation before adding more drills, heaters, or other terraforming devices, and keep a locker stocked with generator materials so emergency fixes are quick.
2) Water: automate as soon as you can
Early on, craft water from ice so you do not run dry. As soon as they are available, place multiple Atmospheric Water Collectors (and later Lake Water Collectors) near your base; they produce water bottles over time. Check them every time you return and keep 2-3 full bottles stored as backup.
3) Food: stagger your harvests
When you unlock Food Growers (machines that grow food), plant multiple crops and avoid harvesting everything at once. Food Growers turn inserted seeds into harvestable food over time, so a staggered cycle helps keep at least one food source close to ready while you are out gathering. Carry one backup food item on longer runs, and save extra seeds so recovery is easy if your setup gets disrupted.
Coach line if you are stuck: pause expansion for one loop, add two power generators, stock 3 water and 3 food, then resume terraforming. That reset usually restores momentum immediately.