Buildings controlled by automation option to keep input resources
When production of a building is paused (manual or by automation) their inputs are removed and returned to storage, for buildings that are paused for a long time it isnt a big issue. With the new automation pausing and resuming production can happen quite often and causes a lot of work for the haulers who have to remove and then replace the inputs and it also delays production starting as it waits on its inputs.
I would like an option in the building popup to allow the building to retain their inputs while the production is paused. That way the player can choose if they want the resources back from a particular building or not.
With some advanced automation i recon you can make it so that buildings keep paused until the storage is almost empty, then produce until the storage is full and then pause production, to minimize the switching between pausing and resuming production. However i dont think every player is interested in building these more advanced automation solutions.
Comments: 17
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22 Mar
Jcheung System MergedHighlighted comment
"When the Steam Engine is paused beavers remove all available water from it" (suggested by <Hidden> on 2026-03-22), including upvotes (1) and comments (0), was merged into this suggestion. -
06 Mar
NemoStein MergedInclude a checkbox in the automation section of buildings that, once checked, makes the paused (by automation) building to keep it's input inventory.
This drastically reduces hauling from/to automated buildings that frequently start and stop and will soon need those resources again. (e.g.: logs in Grill/Bakery)
Even better if this checkbox was available to all production buildings (automated or not), so even if its paused by the user it would keep its input resources. -
06 Mar
NemoSteinSR Latches can mitigate the issue, but won't fix it, and requires a lot more work and footprint to build.
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06 Mar
Jcheung System"[1.0.11] Checkbox to allow paused buildings to keep its input resources" (suggested by <Hidden> on 2026-03-06), including upvotes (1) and comments (0), was merged into this suggestion.
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09 Mar
Pirate Mergedv1.0.12.0-ab0d0fd-xgw
Haulers will take both wood and water out of a Steam Engine that is disabled by automation, leading to Engine not having fuel when automation enables the engine. With my simple setup, this happens every morning. Recorded a quick video: https://youtu.be/4CUZXF2Y_mM
Would have attached a save file but .timber files are not allowed :(
Steps to reproduce (not sure how dependent on other factors this is):
1. Build a network powered by a Steam Engine - needs to have buildings operated by beavers
2. Build a Power Meter connected to network
3. Set the meter to enable when demand is higher than 'night' demand
4. Observe the Engine when work resumes.
Expected result:
When beavers resume work in the powered buildings, the demand increases and Engine is enabled.
Actual result:
Haulers are dispatched to pick up resources from Engine, before automation enables Engine. Results in Engine needing to be refuelled each morning. -
09 Mar
Jcheung System"[BUG?] Haulers take resources out of Steam Engine when disabled by automation" (suggested by <Hidden> on 2026-03-09), including upvotes (1) and comments (0), was merged into this suggestion.
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10 Mar
Darth Eant MergedPausing a steam engine due to automation should not cause the beavers to empty the building of wood and water. Maybe add a box next to "Prioritize by haulers" for "Stock when paused"?
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10 Mar
Jcheung System"Pausing a seam engine due to automation and fuel" (suggested by <Hidden> on 2026-03-10), including upvotes (1) and comments (0), was merged into this suggestion.
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13 Mar
Olivier MergedWhen a building gets manually paused, haulers will empty it of input (and output) goods).
For a manual pause... Fine, you manually also have the option to set priority to lowest to "sort of" get a same type effect without getting this emptying need.
When buildings get automated, it's annoying that this also triggers the emptying of goods inside.
So my suggestion: buildings paused by automation do not cause emptying. Meaning when they turn back on (via automation) they still have the goods from when they were turned off. Building is good to go right away. -
13 Mar
Jcheung System"Buildings being paused via automation causes annoying emptying of goods" (suggested by <Hidden> on 2026-03-13), including upvotes (1) and comments (0), was merged into this suggestion.
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15 Mar
Zenith Star MergedGiven that the major use of the steam engine is as supplementary power for when the rivers stop flowing (or for when there is a spike in power need) and the new automation system with 1.0 I think the steam engine should be kept stocked with supplies when it's paused (or if not default make there be a checkbox for it, like the "Obtain" option for storage buildings). That way the haulers won't try to empty the building when my automation pauses it for a second and a half.
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15 Mar
Jcheung System"Keep steam engine stocked up on logs and water" (suggested by <Hidden> on 2026-03-15), including upvotes (1) and comments (0), was merged into this suggestion.
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15 Mar
GTa related "issue" is that that is an " include inputs " in a counter, but no " include output " (this might have a reason) so when stock get puts back in the storage by haulers the counter might reach a level the automation will turn on a factory again. This worsens the problem this post is about. It seems that to have a behavior that turns stuff on and off between 2 storage thresholds is a available a little later in the game then when its most useful for me. ( e.g. turn off when 100% and turn back on at 60% ) .
This is all not perse bad, it keeps you wanting to do more and upgrading setups, as long as that was the intention to balance things this is all good. -
22 Mar
Sam MergedCan buildings that are paused by automation not be emptied of their inputs. Every time my buildings pause from automation then restart they have to be restocked. I would like my buildings to keep their input stock so when they come out of pause they can start immediately.
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22 Mar
Dexter MergedI’ve noticed that when the Steam Engine is paused, either manually or via automation, beavers immediately take all the stored water out of it. This behavior makes automation impractical, as the engine cannot retain water while paused.
Please consider changing this so that pausing the Steam Engine does not cause stored water to be removed. -
22 Mar
Jcheung System"Paused by Automation" (suggested by <Hidden> on 2026-03-22), including upvotes (2) and comments (2), was merged into this suggestion.
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