You buy the Toolbox in Probably Stolen from Dr. Jackson, and he only starts stocking it after day 14. Questing Goose Studio’s patch notes introduced it as “a new item that can store tools, including the blue and red labelers”, and pressing keys 1 through 9 equips the matching tool.
So on a normal start, the answer is patience: get through your first two weeks, then check Dr. Jackson’s stock on every visit. Here is what it costs, how to grow it and how to use the hotkeys, as of patch 1.0.0.12. Questing Goose Studio’s notes do not give the Toolbox’s price or size, so treat those numbers as a starting point.
Where to Buy the Toolbox
| Detail | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Seller | Dr. Jackson |
| When | After day 14 |
| Price | about 150 Credits |
| Size | 4 x 3 cells |
| Stock | One, while you do not already own a Toolbox |
Dr. Jackson is the shop’s hardware supplier. Our shop upgrades guide explains how his stock works alongside Wild’s Network, and he is the same seller who brings machines, storage bays and scanners. His place is one of the destinations on the transit screen after you close the shop.
The Starting Perk That Skips the Wait
The Handy starting perk begins your run with a worn Toolbox that already has four slots open. If you know you will juggle lots of tools, such as a water trade with testers and labelers, it saves you two weeks of fumbling through your inventory. Our starting perks guide covers how perk points work if you want to fit it in.
How to Add More Tool Slots
A new Toolbox holds three tools. Each Scrap Metal you use on it opens one more slot, up to nine, one for each number key.
Scrap Metal is easy to make once you have a Furnace. Fit it with the Junk Processing module and it turns Junk into Scrap Metal overnight. Our Junk guide has the exact numbers, and our modules guide covers where to buy the module. Six more slots means six Scrap Metal, a small price for a full row of hotkeys.
How to Use the Hotkeys
The Toolbox works with equip mode, which the developer added so tools can be “quickly used on multiple items”. Once a tool is in the box:
- Put the tool in a slot. Drag it into the Toolbox.
- Press its number. Keys 1 to 9 equip the stored tool in that slot.
- Use it on several items. With the tool equipped, click item after item without picking it up again.
The developer’s playtest recap lists “equipping tools via the Toolbox keybind” among its biggest quality-of-life changes, and it is easy to see why once you are labeling a whole shelf of bottles.
What to Put in It
The patch notes name the blue and red labelers, and anything that counts as a tool fits. Patch 1.0.0.12 also made the Current Converter count as a tool. A good order for the first slots:
- Slot 1 and 2: your labelers. You will use them constantly if you sell water or relabel goods.
- Next: testing tools. Whatever you use to check stock before you buy or sell it.
- Then: your knife and work tools. A knife for butchering, plus anything you only grab now and then, like the Hatchet.
Playing on Steam Deck or a Controller
The number keys are the whole point of the Toolbox, so map them before you rely on it away from a keyboard. Our Steam Deck guide suggests putting a few on the back buttons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do you get a Toolbox in Probably Stolen? From Dr. Jackson, who starts selling it after day 14. The Handy starting perk gives you one from the start.
How much does the Toolbox cost? About 150 Credits from Dr. Jackson.
How many tools does a Toolbox hold? Three to start. Each Scrap Metal you use on it opens another slot, up to nine.
How do the Toolbox hotkeys work? Press 1 to 9 to equip the tool stored in that slot, then use it on as many items as you like.
Can you have more than one Toolbox? Dr. Jackson only stocks one while you do not already own a Toolbox, so plan on a single box and fill it with Scrap Metal.