Lever

The Lever is the simplest and most fundamental input component in Timberborn's automation system. It provides a manually controlled on/off signal that can be connected to any number of downstream buildings or automation components. When a player toggles the Lever, every connected structure receives the updated signal, allowing instant control over groups of buildings without needing to adjust each one individually. Costing 200 Science Points to unlock, the Lever is typically the first automation component players invest in.

Levers connect to buildings through the automation interface, where each structure has an Automate button that presents a dropdown of available signal sources. A single Lever can control multiple buildings simultaneously, making it ideal for scenarios like shutting down an entire production line during a drought or activating emergency water pumps. Levers can also feed their signal into logic gates (AND, OR, NOT), Relays, and other processing components, serving as a manual override in more complex automation circuits.

Common use cases for the Lever include toggling power-hungry buildings on and off to conserve energy during low-power periods, activating seasonal production buildings only when needed, and serving as an emergency shutoff for water management structures. For players new to automation, the Lever is the perfect starting point: connect one to a group of Fermenters or Food Factories and use it to pause food production when stockpiles are full. As your automation network grows, Levers remain useful as manual overrides within larger circuits, giving you direct control when automated sensors alone are not sufficient.