Getting started

StubThis page is short. If you know more, add it.

Early accessCitadel is still in development. Numbers and rules on this page can change between patches. Last checked October 2026.

What a new captain needs to know before the first Breach. This page has the basics the team has published. The first-hour walkthrough is still to be written by someone who has just played it.

Before you play

• Citadel runs in a desktop web browser with no installation. A desktop or laptop is required; mobile browsers are not a supported play surface.
• You can enter as a solo captain or in a squad of up to three.
• Sessions are short by design. Complete a contract or spend time in the hubs, then step away.

What you can lose

Your ship and unsecured cargo are at risk inside a Breach. When a ship is destroyed, its recoverable contents become physical wreckage that other players can claim. Protected safety cargo is the exception. See Ship loss.

Between Breaches

The hangar is where you manage your stash, refit ships, compare loot, trade with merchants, manufacture equipment, and decide what level of risk to take next. Your ship is your build—not a disposable character loadout. See Hangar and Ship fitting.

Still to write

• The first run: what the tutorial covers and what it skips
• A first ship and a first fit that works
• Which contracts suit a new captain
• How to reach an extraction point and what can go wrong

Source: the FAQ on thecitadel.com.