Let me be clear—your Tool Cupboard (TC) is your base’s beating heart. You lose it, your whole setup starts crumbling—literally. It controls who can build, keeps your walls from rotting, and makes sure your traps don’t blow your face off.
I’ve seen new Rust players slap a TC down and forget about it. Huge mistake. You want to master this thing, not just “use” it. It’s your privilege system, decay protection, trap manager, and big red target all in one.
What the TC Actually Does (And Why You Should Care)
The TC’s not just a box. It’s your base’s command center:
- Gives building privilege – You and your team can build; strangers get blocked.
- Prevents decay – Feed it resources or your base turns into rusted ruins.
- Manages trap immunity – Authorized? Shotgun traps won’t shred you. Unauthorized? GG.
And yes, raiders are coming for it. Always.
How to Craft & Place It (So You Don’t Regret It)
- Cost: 1000 wood. That’s it.
- Crafting time: 30 seconds. Faster with workbenches.
- Can’t be picked up once placed. (That’s the kicker. More on this later.)
Place it ASAP once you’ve got a basic shell—like a 1×1. You claim the area, you stop decay, and most importantly, you control who gets to build.
Lock it immediately. Use a code lock unless you’re a solo player. A locked TC = grief protection. An unlocked TC? Free loot for raiders.
You Can’t Pick Up a TC (Sorry, Vanilla Rules)
Here’s the deal: you can’t pick up a Tool Cupboard in vanilla Rust. Not with a hammer, not with your hands, not with anything. If you placed it wrong? You gotta destroy it.
Your options:
| Tool | Approx Hits | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Salvaged Axe | ~190 | Silent but slow |
| Fire Arrows | 5–6 | Shoot the floor under it |
| Satchel | 1 | Fast but overkill early wipe |
On modded servers? You might have a /remove command. On official? Tough luck. Plan your placement like it’s permanent—because it is.
What Goes Into Rust Tool Keyboard Upkeep (and How to Not Go Broke)
Rust punishes lazy players. No upkeep = base rot. Here’s how it works:
- Your base’s size and material type determine upkeep cost.
- Bigger = more expensive.
- Stone > Wood. Metal > Stone. You get the idea.
Rule of thumb: Always check the upkeep tab in your TC. It tells you exactly how long your base will last with the current resources inside.
| Material | Daily Cost (Per Wall) | Full Decay Time |
|---|---|---|
| Wood | ~20 wood | 3 hrs |
| Stone | ~30 stone | 5 hrs |
| Metal | ~20 frags | 8 hrs |
| Armored | ~2.5 HQM | 12 hrs |
Tip: If you’re going offline for the night, overfill that TC. Nothing worse than logging in to a skeleton of your base.
Protecting Your TC (Because Raiders Love Easy Wins)
This is where base design matters. Some key tips:
- Don’t put your TC next to the outer wall. That’s asking to be raided.
- Don’t keep loot and TC in the same room.
- Honeycomb it—layers of extra walls/foundations around it.
- Use traps—Shotgun traps, flame turrets, auto turrets, whatever you’ve got.
Want to go next-level? External TCs. Small 1×1 buildings around your base with their own TC inside. They:
- Extend building privilege
- Prevent ladder raiding
- Keep external walls from decaying
- Give backup if your main TC gets wiped
Rust Tool Keyboard Authorization 101
- Placing the TC = auto-authorized.
- Teammates press E to get access.
- Clear List nukes all access (used mid-raid or for betrayals 👀).
Why lock it? Because if raiders can’t access it, they have to destroy it—triggering a 24-hour grace period (if it had upkeep stocked). That gives you a fighting chance to recover.
Pro Tips from the Wipe Life
- Don’t store loot in your TC. Raiders will check it.
- Keep extra upkeep inside before logging out. Trust me.
- Use industrial automation if you’re deep tech. Conveyors save you time.
- Place once, place smart. You can’t move it, so double check location before clicking.
Final Thoughts
If you treat the TC like an afterthought, you’re handing your base to the first guy with a bow and a dream. But if you treat it like the core of your base, plan your placement, lock it up, and keep it stocked—you’re already 10 steps ahead of half the Rust server.
It’s not flashy. But it’s how you win.
FAQs
No. Once a TC is placed, it’s locked in for good—at least on vanilla servers. There’s no pickup mechanic like you have with deployables or workbenches. If you placed it wrong, your only option is to destroy it and craft a new one. Some modded servers offer a /remove command, but if you’re playing official, plan your placement like it’s permanent—because it is.
Bad things. Any random player can walk in, press E, authorize themselves, and instantly gain control of your base. They won’t even need to blow a single door. From there, they can build, grief, steal your loot—or just clear your whole team’s auths. Always throw a lock on it the second you place it. Preferably a code lock, especially if you’re playing with friends.
It extends from your connected foundations and floors—so it’s not a perfect circle from the TC itself. On average, it stretches about 8–10 square foundations out from the edge of your build. You’ll know you’re inside the zone when “BUILDING PRIVILEGE” appears in the bottom right of your HUD. No overlapping allowed either—TCs must be spaced out if they’re not part of the same structure.
The most cost-effective way is with 5–6 Fire Arrows, shot at the floor right under the TC. Let the fire burn it—don’t waste arrows aiming directly at the box. If you’ve got more resources or want speed, Satchels, Beancans, or even Explosive Ammo work, but they’re overkill for your own TC. Fire Arrows are quiet, low-cost, and perfect for the job.
