Becoming self sufficient
From Galactic Fleets Wiki
Tutorial: Out Post Building priorities for new players. “Becoming Self Sufficient”
To the beginning player, welcome to Galactic fleets. The tutorial below is based on three sector layouts, two, three, or four planet sector. Some things are common to all;
Rename your system. There are several good reasons to do this, but the most important one is to keep from drawing attention to you. Scouts look for default named systems for expansion. Simply renaming your system goes a long way in keeping you safe from conquest.
Now, destroy your level 2 civic center on your main planet. I know it sounds bad, but trust me. Click the link for your main planet, click build, and then click downgrade on your civic center. This returns the resources to your stores, and lowers the cost of the buildings upkeep. This is important to begin building the “four main” outposts (hereby referred to as OP’s) you will need to become self sufficient.
Keep an eye on your cash flow. If one or more of your planets have a negative cash flow, no worries, as long as your overall cash flow is still positive. If you are “pushing it” hold off on an OP build, or turn 10000 or so workers back to civvies. Population growth is the key to gaining and maintaining positive cash flow. So produce that food and water!
Lastly message your fine fellow faction members, and beg for some robotics (about 500 should do). (And some medicines while you are at it) Include in your message your location, and be sure to tell us that you are a new player badly in need of the robotics to complete an OP. If you are very lucky, someone may be online, and close enough to help you out immediately. If not, never fear, most of us log on daily, and will be able to come to your aid fairly quickly.
Now, find the section matching your individual sector layout, and read on.
Sonya's Note: DO NOT downgrade your civ center unless you DO NOT have a faction to give you a few extra supplies to build with. Downgrading will not only HALT population growth on your main planet, but it will also cause you to use THREE TIMES as many turns to make new workers. Population growth is important for your income as well as defenses, not to mention new workers.