Theory of Toolbox

Warning!

For 0.98a-RC8 only: You must replace the 'starfarer.api.jar' file located in the 'starsector-core' folder with the version provided in the Theory of Toolbox mod folder under '0.98a/starfarer.api.jar'. This only needs to be done once. If not replaced, the game will intentionally crash on the loading screen as a reminder.

Below is a list of all mods that have been confirmed to cause very unusual behavior or crashes when Theory of Toolbox is enabled. If any of them become compatible, please notify us so they can be removed from the list. Those mods listed here can't be fixed by players themselves or outright can't work together.

• LTV Economy Overhaul -Hard Incompatibility
• Starpocalypse -Soft Incompatibility

Due to the nature of the massive changes introduced, this module is more prone to incompatibilities, especially with mods that add custom economic systems, such as trade quests. 95% of mods should still work fine.

There may also be soft incompatibility issues, such as certain modded commodities becoming significantly more profitable for colonies. These can usually be resolved either by the player or the mod author. More details can be found in the Compatibility Guide section on the website, under support section.

Ashes of the Domain is classified as "feature overhaul", thus it is expected, that there will be some mods, that won't work with it.

Last Note : When using Question of Loyalty 2.x versions it is really advised to finish commission BEFORE establishing another colony. Some of features might be locked due to this. This will be resolved in Question of Loyalty 3.0

Complete Redesign of Supply and Demand

The supply and demand system has been fully revamped, moving away from abstraction and instead producing actual cargo unit values. Supply and demand are now calculated as the total sum of production and consumption from all industries on a market, rather than only considering the highest value.

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Internal and External Trade

Trade is now divided into two categories: internal trade (within your faction) and external trade (with the rest of the sector). Internal demand is always prioritized first. Depending on the commodity, internal trade typically yields a lower profit percentage compared to external trade.

With the new tools available, you will be able to analyze market data not only for your own faction but also for others.

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Each commodity presents different opportunities and priorities depending on the number of producers and consumers, as well as the factions enabled in your game. At times, you may need to prioritize certain commodities over others for profit or to ensure your faction remains secure from shortages.

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In some cases, the imbalance between production and demand can become so extreme that an external force must intervene to prevent sector-wide economic collapse. This acts as a safety net, especially for heavily modded playthroughs.

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Accessibility and Colony Income Overhaul

Alongside supply and demand, both accessibility and colony income systems have been redesigned to support the new trade mechanics.

Accessibility now represents how attractive your world is to traders. Higher accessibility means higher priority in trade networks, improving your chances of importing and exporting goods.

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Colony income is now shown as an estimate. Earning money is more dependent on actually selling goods. If you are unable to sell your products, you will generate excess stock instead of profit.

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Markets Now Reflect Production

Markets have been significantly adjusted to reflect real production and demand. The availability of goods now depends much more on local production and consumption. For example, you will not find metals on worlds that neither produce nor require them, while fuel-producing worlds will have abundant supplies of fuel.

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Excess and deficit systems have also been reworked to better reflect actual sector-wide production and demand. Trade updates occur monthly, meaning market conditions can shift rapidly, requiring careful planning of trade routes.

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Trade Contracts

In addition to internal and external trade, there is a third system: trade contracts. As stated in the lore, much trade occurs through unaccounted parties. If you want to earn more than from external trade, you should start accepting trade contracts. These become available once you build at least one Commerce or Underworld structure.

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Once accepted, contracts provide monthly payments or unique rewards upon completion. Maintaining active contracts is generally beneficial for long-term trade profitability.

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You can also create contracts yourself, either to acquire resources for personal gain or as part of your faction's automated economic needs.

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Grand Wonders

This feature primarily serves as a framework, as Theory of Toolbox does not introduce any Grand Wonders by itself.

Grand Wonders are unique structures or industries representing extraordinary technological, architectural, or engineering achievements. Their construction requires vast resources, making them viable only for factions with a highly developed industrial base.

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Once a construction site is established, you can select which wonder to build by interacting with it. Due to their scale and complexity, only a limited number—often just one—can be constructed.

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Grand Wonders are intended to be long-term strategic goals, offering powerful benefits and shaping the identity of your faction. Choosing when and where to build them can have a lasting impact on your economic and industrial dominance.

The sector is now yours to shape—build, trade, adapt, and overcome. Whether you rise as an economic powerhouse or struggle to survive shifting markets, every decision matters. Go forth, expand your influence, and master the flow of supply and demand.