---
id: t20
status: Review
order: 2
priority: P3
created: 2026-10-24
updated: 2026-10-24T17:34:39Z
title: vacuum/blow tool rethink
report: |
  (agent) The Vacuum now picks up what you click and blows out what's in hand. Left drag takes
  only the material it starts on (or the first loose grain it reaches); Shift takes everything.
  The hand is what right click blows: click a bag name or Q/E for one material, Ctrl+click to
  add to a mix, Shift + right click for everything loose. When something in hand runs out it
  leaves the hand; with nothing in hand, right click blows nothing and says how to choose.
  Picking something up with an empty hand puts it in hand. The pick-up marks (R,
  Ctrl+right-click) and the F vacuum menu are gone.
  To check: drag starting on copper ore in a mixed pile (only ore comes up); empty the hand and
  pick up coal (coal goes in hand); Ctrl+click coal and copper ore and blow a mix into a furnace
  until one runs out (the other keeps going); Shift + right click.
---

# Context

I dont like the current tool. I want to completely rethink how to pick up and drop materials in the game. maybe a vacuum isnt the best tool. maybe it is. I just want to discuss some options for picking up and dropping the materials in the game. it dont need to be super complicated, but i do need to be able to selectively pick up and drop materials. lets brainstorm multiple ideas for tools maybe multiple tools or just one. i want it to be simple and intuitive.

## Subtasks

- [x] discuss with user in claude code when asked about it, to work out exactly what the user wants
- [x] Pick up what you click: a drag that starts on a material sweeps up only that material, and Shift takes everything
- [x] One bag item (or a Ctrl+click mix) is in hand; Q/E or clicking a bag row changes it, and right click blows it out
- [x] When the last of something in hand is blown out, it leaves the hand; an empty hand says so instead of blowing
- [x] Picking something up with an empty hand puts it in hand
- [x] Remove the pick-up marks (R, Ctrl+right-click, the "Only marked" chip) and the F vacuum menu