How to play Shelf Sort
- Press Start. Level 1 shows a hand moving the first item.
- Drag an item from a shelf's front row to another shelf that has a free spot. You can also tap the item, then tap the shelf.
- Three of the same item in one front row clear away with a pop.
- When a front row is empty, the row waiting behind it slides forward. Faded goods show what is coming.
- A locked case shows how many more sets to clear before it opens. Mystery crates hide their goods until they reach the front.
- Clear every item to win. If no free spot is left, undo a move or start the level again.
About Shelf Sort
Shelf Sort is a tidy-up puzzle set in a small corner shop. The shelves are split into compartments, and each compartment has a front row of three spots with more goods stacked behind it: jam jars, teacups, potted plants, candles, donuts, lemons, gift boxes, milk bottles, cupcakes and books, all drawn for this game. Drag an item from one front row to a free spot in another, or tap an item and then tap the shelf it should go to. When the front row of a compartment holds three of the same item, the set is cleared and the row behind slides forward with new goods. Clear every item to finish the level. There is no clock. The pressure comes from space: a board starts with only a few free spots, and every move fills one spot as it empties another. Put an item in the wrong place too often and every front row fills up with mixed goods, which jams the shop. Three undos per level give you a way back. Early levels have a handful of shelves with one or two rows each. Later chapters add deeper stacks, locked glass cases that open only after you clear a set number of trios, and mystery crates that hide what is coming forward until the row in front is gone. Quick clears in a row build a restock streak, and every board has been checked by a computer player, so a clean solution always exists.
Controls
| Input | What it does |
|---|---|
| Drag an item | Move it to another shelf |
| Tap an item, then a shelf | Move it without dragging |
| Tab or Up and Down | Choose a shelf |
| Left and Right, then Enter | Choose an item and lift it; Enter again places it |
| U or the undo button | Take back the last move (3 per level) |
| H or the bulb | Show a good move (3 per level) |
Tips and strategy
- Count before you move. If two cupcakes already sit on one shelf and the third is free elsewhere, that move clears a set and frees three spots at once.
- Protect your empty spots. Every free spot is a place to park an item, and a board with no free spots is stuck. Prefer moves that clear a set or empty a row.
- Empty a front row on purpose. When the last item leaves a row, the row behind slides forward, which brings new goods into play and often hands you the third item of a set.
- Look at the faded rows behind. They tell you which items are about to arrive, so you can leave a pair waiting for the third instead of breaking it up.
- Do not split pairs. Moving one of two matching items away from each other almost always costs extra moves later.
- On levels with locked cases, early clears matter twice: they free space and they count towards opening the case, which adds a whole new shelf of room.
Questions and answers
Can every level be cleared?
Yes. Each board was solved by a computer player before it was added, so a full solution exists from the starting position. Some boards leave very little spare room, so plan a few moves ahead.
What happens when the shelves fill up?
If every front row is full and nothing matches, the shop is jammed. You can undo up to three moves per level to get out of it; with no undos left, the level ends and restarts in one tap.
How do stars work?
Clear a level without hints for three stars. One hint gives two stars, more give one. Undo does not cost a star, and the move counter is just for your own record.
What are the faded items and crates?
They are the next row of goods behind the front row. Faded items show exactly what is coming; crates with a question mark, used in later chapters, keep it a surprise until the row slides forward.
Do I need to tell colors apart?
No. Every item has its own shape, such as a teacup, a candle or a book, so you can match items by shape alone.
Is Shelf Sort free, and does it save my progress?
It is free with no sign-up. Stars, unlocked levels and your shop theme are saved in this browser, so you can continue later.
