CIFI: Getting Started

CIFI (Cell: Idle Factory Incremental) is an idle game. Generators make Cells. Cells buy more generators, ships, crew and upgrades. Then you reset on purpose to get stronger and do it again. That cycle is the whole game.

Evidence note: this route retains Jay's earlier guide export. Exact costs and timings are UNSURE for your installation. The public beginner reference is from 2024; Hizzle has not tested this route in-game. Check CIFI: version and patch notes before applying old numbers.

Do this, in order:

1. Buy CIFI: Generators with your Cells. Start at MK1 and work up as new tiers unlock.
2. Build your first ship, the Cradle, then spend CIFI: Cradle crew and CIFI: Rank Points on its installs. See CIFI: Ship Build Order by Tier.
3. Buy Auxesia as soon as you can afford it. It opens CIFI: Tech Upgrades. See CIFI: Auxesia.
4. Buy Zagreus next. It opens CIFI: Loops and Mod Points, the Mod Tree and your first CIFI: When to Do a Loop Reset.
5. Spend your first Mod Points in the CIFI: Mod Tree Basics. Follow CIFI: Mod Buy Order.
6. Do your first Loop Reset. Expect it to take a few hours. Older community advice says 4 to 8 hours (UNSURE for current versions).
7. After the reset, CIFI: Rebuild After a Reset right away.
8. Check CIFI: Daily Routine every day. It is free progress.

Ignore for now:

• Anything with a Diamond price. You do not need it. See CIFI: Diamonds.
• Research, Academy and Ouroboros. They unlock later. See CIFI: Koios Research, CIFI: Zeus Academy, CIFI: Ouroboros and Traversal.
• Perfect optimization. A decent plan you actually run beats a perfect plan you never start.

Read CIFI: Common Mistakes before your first reset.

Lost on a term? See the CIFI: Glossary. Want the big picture first? Read CIFI: The Core Loop, CIFI: Resource Overview and CIFI: Ships Overview. For the gaps in this guide, see CIFI: What Is Not Verified Yet.

Evidence and version limits: CIFI: What Is Not Verified Yet.