---
title: "How to Optimize Your Tech Layout | NMS Optimizer"
description: "Learn how to use the grid, manage supercharged slots, and understand the Theta/Tau/Sigma module ranking system for optimal No Man's Sky builds."
url: "https://nms-optimizer.app/instructions/"
lang: "en"
image: "https://nms-optimizer.app/assets/img/screenshots/screenshot.webp"
---

# How to Optimize Your Tech Layout

## Getting Started with the Grid

- Select a **Platform Type** (Starship, Multi-Tool, Corvette, etc.) with the button.
- **Click** or **double-tap** (mobile) an empty slot to toggle its **Supercharged** state.
- **Ctrl-click** (Windows) / **⌘-click** (Mac) / **single-tap** (mobile) a slot to toggle its **active** or **inactive** state.
- **Keyboard controls:** Press **Arrow keys** (↑, ↓, ←, →) and **Home** / **End** to move focus. Press **S** or **Shift+Enter** to toggle the **Supercharged** state. Press **Space** or **Enter** to toggle the **active** or **inactive** state.
- Use the **row toggles** to enable or disable an entire row. _(Row toggles lock after you place modules on the grid.)_
- Click the **Module Selection** button on a **Technology Category** to enable or disable individual modules and view the required **Solver Window** dimensions.
- Toggle **Focus Mode** to reduce visual distractions and improve text legibility.

> 💡 **Note:**
> **Slot Restrictions** apply to Exosuits and Exocraft. Exocraft use a fixed **Default Grid Layout** where slots cannot be changed. Exosuits have fixed supercharged slot locations, so you can only change active and inactive slot states.

## Before You Begin

This tool is designed for **endgame optimization** and produces the best results when:

- Most or all grid slots are active.
- All modules in each **Technology Category** are unlocked.
- You have **three procedural upgrade modules** per **Technology Category**.

You can optimize partial setups, but the solver targets fully upgraded **Platform Types**.

## Usage Tips

Supercharged slots are limited. Distribute them across multiple **Technology Categories** for the highest total bonus:

- **Do not assign all supercharged slots to the first Technology Category.** This reduces the available bonus for other systems.
- Assign **2 to 3 supercharged slots** to your highest-priority **Technology Category**.
- Reserve **1 or more supercharged slots** for a second **Technology Category**.
- After all supercharged slots are occupied, optimize **Technology Categories** that require larger **Solver Window** dimensions first.
- Set your priorities and let the solver calculate the optimal module placement.

### Solver Window & Optimization Alerts

Each **Technology Category** requires a **Solver Window** (`width × height`) based on its active **Module Selection**.

- If no contiguous region of active slots matches the required **Solver Window**, an **Optimization Alert** (**Pattern No Fit**) appears.
- From the alert, you can run a **Forced Solve** (full simulated annealing across available slots) or cancel, use **Reset** on placed categories, and optimize in a different order.
- **Pro Tip:** Temporarily set specific slots to **inactive** before optimizing to guide where the **Solver Window** is placed.

## Module Rank Order (Theta / Tau / Sigma)

**Module Rank Order** (`Theta → Tau → Sigma`) ranks procedural upgrade modules **by stat value**, not by upgrade class:

- **Theta (1)** — highest stats
- **Tau (2)** — middle stats
- **Sigma (3)** — lowest stats

These labels do not appear in-game. Compare the stat values of your procedural upgrades directly:

- Highest stats → **Theta**
- Second-highest stats → **Tau**
- Lowest stats → **Sigma**

**Upgrade class does not determine Module Rank Order.** An X-Class upgrade can have higher or lower stats than an S-Class upgrade.

## Corvettes

Corvettes support up to **three separate upgrade Module Groups** within a **Technology Category**:

- **Cosmetic modules** use the label `Cn`.
- **Reactor modules** use the label `Rn`.

The solver prioritizes stat bonuses over visual appearance when placing Cosmetic modules.

## Recommended Builds

Exosuits and Exocraft have fixed supercharged slots and fewer layout permutations. Use the **Recommended Builds** menu to load curated layouts for common setups.

Submit layout suggestions or feedback in the project discussions:
<https://github.com/jbelew/nms_optimizer-web/discussions>

## Saving, Loading, and Sharing

- **Load Build** — Open a saved `.nms` **Build File** from disk.
- **Save Build** — Download the current layout as a `.nms` **Build File**.
- **Share Build** — Generate a **Shared Grid** URL that opens your layout in the optimizer.
- **Capture Build Screenshot** — Capture a PNG image of the current grid layout.

## Navigation

- [Home](https://nms-optimizer.app/) - Use the Tech Layout & Adjacency Bonus Calculator
- [Instructions](https://nms-optimizer.app/instructions/) - Complete guide for using the app
- [About](https://nms-optimizer.app/about/) - How it works and technical details
- [Changelog](https://nms-optimizer.app/changelog/) - Latest updates and new features
- [Community Stats](https://nms-optimizer.app/userstats/) - Popular technologies and builds
- [Translate](https://nms-optimizer.app/translation/) - Contribute to community localization
- [Privacy](https://nms-optimizer.app/privacy/) - Our commitment to your data privacy and security