9 min · May 19, 2026 · ACNH
Your first days on the island are about unlocking tools, placing infrastructure, and leaving room for later terraforming. Move slowly — paths and rivers are easier to adjust once you have the vaulting pole and ladder.
First placements
Keep Resident Services near your airport landing for visitors. Leave flat space for villager homes in a loose neighborhood so you can add paths later.
Do not finalize your entire map before you can terraform; sketch zones instead (residential, market, forest, beach hangout).