Player in front of an Outpost Beacon in Starfield.
Screenshot by Dot Esports

How to enter build mode in Starfield

Colonize the stars: check. Build on the stars: —.

Entering build mode is not designed to be a challenge in Starfield, but sometimes it’s the simplest things that end up not being as immediately intuitive as a developer thought.

Recommended Videos

The outpost building system in Starfield offers tons of customization, expansion, and personalization—once you have entered build mode, that is.

Starfield: How to enter build mode

To enter build mode, you first will need to place an outpost. This is because you’re only able to build within a given radius of an outpost. If you’re not close enough to an outpost, the option to enter build mode won’t even exist in the first place.

So long as you’re at one of your outposts, entering build mode in Starfield is very simple, if not maybe a little counter-intuitive. There are two ways you can enter build mode:

  • Approach any outpost.
  • While looking at the outpost, you will have two options: “Build” and “Rename.”
  • Press whichever key is displayed as your bound key for Build.
An in game screen of an outpost in Starfield. A red arrow points out the Build option on the outpost.

Alternatively, there is an easier way to enter build mode that the game doesn’t really tell you about:

  • While within an outposts area limit, open your Scanner.
  • The options at the bottom will show an Outpost option—this one immediately brings you into build mode.
  • By default, the bound key is R on PC and X on Xbox.
an in game screenshot of the scanner being used in Starfield. A red arrow points out the Outpost option at the bottom of the screen.
A little odd, but efficient. Screenshot by Dot Esports

This second lesser known method is the best way to enter build mode in Starfield, since you don’t actually have to be right next to an outpost to utilize it. Of course, entering build mode is only the first small segment of learning that needs to be done. We have tons of other guides on connecting outposts, using transfer containers, and more.


Dot Esports is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more
related content
Read Article Starfield patch notes for 1.11.33, May 15 update
The starfield logo with the words "May Update" under it on a white background.
Read Article Todd’s tease: Starfield’s Shattered Space DLC finally has a release window
Two ships pass each other in space near a star in Starfield.
Read Article Starfield Shattered Space release date: When will Starfield’s first DLC go live?
An astronaut standing next to their spaceship in Starfield
Related Content
Read Article Starfield patch notes for 1.11.33, May 15 update
The starfield logo with the words "May Update" under it on a white background.
Read Article Todd’s tease: Starfield’s Shattered Space DLC finally has a release window
Two ships pass each other in space near a star in Starfield.
Read Article Starfield Shattered Space release date: When will Starfield’s first DLC go live?
An astronaut standing next to their spaceship in Starfield
Author
Pierce Bunch
Freelance writer and jack-of-all-games.