How to play Sokoban
Take a little time to learn the rules. Every move gets clearer with practice.
Push crates onto leaf-marked goals. Plan ahead, undo freely and solve generated warehouse puzzles. This guide explains the rules and the decisions that matter while you play.
Play Nineleaf Sokoban →How to play Sokoban
- 01
Move one square at a time using arrows, WASD or the on-screen controls.
- 02
Walk into a crate to push it if the square beyond it is free.
- 03
You can push one crate at a time, but cannot pull crates.
- 04
Put every crate on a goal to complete the room.
Sokoban: player questions
Can I pull a crate back?
No. Pulling is not part of Sokoban. Use Undo if a push leaves a crate in a bad position.
Why is a corner dangerous?
A crate against two perpendicular walls cannot be pushed away. Unless that corner is a goal, the crate is stuck.
Can I push two crates together?
No. A push is legal only when the square directly beyond the first crate is empty.
Does every crate have its own assigned goal?
No. Any crate may finish on any goal, as long as all goals are covered.
Should I fill the nearest goal first?
Not always. A placed crate can block access to another goal. Check the routes and working space before committing.
How are new rooms created?
The generator begins with solved crate positions and reverses legal pushes. The resulting starting room has a route back to a solution.
What if I block the room?
Undo individual moves or restart the current room. Neither action costs a life.
How do the levels differ?
Easy has two crates, medium three and hard four. More crates create more opportunities to obstruct each other.
Can I move by tapping the board?
Tap an adjacent square or use the four direction buttons. Keyboard arrows and WASD are also supported.
What is the difference between moves and pushes?
A move is a step by your character. A push is a move that shifts a crate; both are shown while you play.