Last updated: July 2026

First Hour Checklist for New Players

The first hour in My Squishy Box Store sets your entire early-game pace. Players who finish the tutorial, redeem all codes, claim daily login rewards, and buy shelf capacity before decorations reach level 6 staff unlock days faster than those who open boxes randomly. This checklist is the exact route top community videos document as of mid-July 2026 — no Update 4 has shipped yet, so Update3, Dumpling, and WELCOME remain the only active codes.

Follow each step in order during your first session. Pair this page with our code redemption guide and daily rewards guide if any step is unclear.

Minutes 0–10: Tutorial & Code Redemption

Shop Growth & Codes — First Hour Gameplay Walkthrough
Shop Growth & Codes — First Hour Gameplay Walkthrough

Complete every tutorial prompt without skipping. The Cod button and J-key menu stay locked until all flags clear.

Immediately redeem WELCOME (500 Cash), Dumpling (1,000 Cash), and Update3 (500 Cash) for 2,000 total free Cash. Press J on PC or tap Cod on mobile.

Claim your day-one daily login reward before spending anything. See our events page for reward UI location if no popup appears.

Minutes 10–25: First Upgrades & Box Orders

Buy Bigger shelf capacity before cosmetic decorations. Empty slots lose sales; bigger racks hold more inventory per restock trip.

Order mystery boxes in batches of four through the computer terminal or POS. Do not hoard Cash — reinvest into boxes that stock your shelves with Uncommon or Rare squishies when affordable.

Place highest-rarity pulls on front-facing racks where customer AI pathing reaches first. Commons go on back rows.

Minutes 25–45: Customer Flow & Pricing

Check shelves every few minutes and refill empty slots immediately. Customers leave without buying when displays are bare.

Price early squishies for 200–400 Cash profit above box cost. Update 3 tightened customer price reactions — too-high margins trigger «too expensive» rejections.

Use the shop menu (C key) to monitor upgrade options. Staff icons appear locked until level 6 — that is normal and documented in gameplay videos from July 11–13, 2026.

Minutes 45–60: Level 6 Prep & Next Session

Your first-hour goal is sustainable customer throughput, not Mythic hunting. Every completed sale pushes level progress toward the staff unlock at level 6.

Before logging off, queue another box batch if Cash allows and note your streak day for tomorrow's daily reward.

Session two priorities: continue shelf upgrades, read Update 3 changes, and follow the early game walkthrough through level 6.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this checklist still valid without Update 4?
Yes as of July 19, 2026. No new codes or game modes have launched since Update 3.
Can I skip daily rewards on day one?
No. Claim immediately after codes. Streak bonuses compound and missing day one resets your counter.
Should I hire staff in the first hour?
Staff unlocks at level 6, not during hour one. Focus on leveling through customer sales first.
What if Update3 gives a different Cash amount?
Most verified tests show 500 Cash. A few early community posts reported 1,000 Cash — redeem in-game to confirm your server reward.