In Schedule 1, players begin their trading and production journey, independently managing every aspect of the business. The preparation and sale of drugs throughout the city are entirely your responsibility.

However, as your empire grows, customer demand increases, making it increasingly challenging to fulfill all orders without upgrading the production process. If you need guidance on how to automate the preparation of your product in Schedule 1, this guide will assist you.

How to Automate Methamphetamine Production

Automating methamphetamine production is most crucial at the mid-game stage. The first step is to create a sufficient number of workstations, specifically chemical stations and laboratory ovens. Ideally, set up three to four chemical stations and an equal number of laboratory ovens. The exact number depends on the available space on your premises.

After setting up the stations, the next important task is purchasing ingredients. Shirley Watts from Westville is the main supplier of pseudoephedrine (pseudo), one of the key ingredients for meth. Depending on the number of stations, it's advisable to purchase between 30 and 40 pseudo. In addition to pseudo, you need to buy an equal amount of acid and phosphorus.

To start the preparation process, add ten units of pseudo, acid, and phosphorus to each chemical station. This needs to be done manually every time the ingredients run out.

To move towards full automation, you need to hire chemists. Manny, who can be found at the warehouse, will help you with hiring staff. Initially, two chemists will suffice, as each can service up to four stations. Provide each chemist with a bed and place their daily salary in a briefcase near the bed, so they can work uninterrupted.

Assign one chemist to four chemical stations and another to four laboratory ovens using the management tablet. To make the system work automatically, select the meth recipe for each station and set the nearest laboratory oven as the delivery point for the product. The chemist will handle the preparation, while the oven processes the product.

After setting up the chemical stations, use the tablet to assign the laboratory ovens to another chemist. Open the oven management menu and set the storage shelf as the final delivery point. With this system, meth will be prepared and automatically transported to the storage shelves without your constant involvement.

How to Automate Cocaine Production

Automating cocaine production differs slightly from meth. It requires both a botanist and chemists. Start by creating a plantation for growing coca from seeds. Hiring a botanist significantly simplifies plant management. The botanist can automatically deliver coca leaves either to a storage shelf or directly into the cauldron, depending on the pot settings.

When the plants start yielding leaves, prepare the cauldrons for the next stage. Each cauldron requires 20 canisters of gasoline, which must be added manually. Hire a chemist and assign them to the cauldrons. The chemist will process the coca leaves into base cocaine. Set the cauldron's delivery point for the finished product to a laboratory oven, so the chemist can automatically transfer the result after preparation.

To complete the process, hire another chemist and assign them to the laboratory ovens. Open the management menu for each oven and set the storage shelf as the final delivery point. This system ensures that processed cocaine is continuously moved from the ovens to the shelves without your involvement.

For small operations using only one cauldron and one oven, hiring just one chemist is sufficient. In this case, assign them both devices.

Hiring Employees

Automating your drug empire in Schedule 1 becomes possible only after completing the 'Wretched Hive of Scum and Villainy' mission. After its completion, access to the warehouse, which operates from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM, is unlocked. Inside the warehouse, Manny offers hiring options for employees crucial to the development of your business.

Several employee roles are available, each playing a vital role in automating your operations. The botanist is responsible for growing and harvesting plants. The chemist handles the preparation and processing of drugs. The Handler manages the transportation of goods within the warehouse. The cleaner maintains cleanliness and order by removing trash.

After hiring, employees need beds for rest, and their salary should be left in a briefcase near their bed. Salaries can be paid in advance to avoid daily trips for wage payments. Effective personnel management ensures continuous operation without disruptions.

Best Task Lists for Employees

Despite automating core processes, you will still need to supply employees with necessary materials such as seeds, soil, gasoline, mixing ingredients, and packaging materials. Properly setting up work zones is critical for maximizing efficiency.

Assign the botanist to the shelf where seeds and soil are stored. After selecting available pots, you can configure each by choosing the seed type and additives to enhance yield. The final step is setting the pot's delivery point—either to a storage shelf or directly into the cauldron.

Chemists need to be assigned to chemical stations where they will work with selected recipes. After choosing the recipe, set the delivery point to a laboratory oven for automatic product processing.

The Handler  must clearly set up routes between loading zones, material shelves, and packaging stations. The flow of goods should start from the product shelf and end at the packaging station, ensuring a seamless workflow.

By correctly configuring these systems and efficiently distributing tasks among employees, you can make your production in Schedule 1 almost fully automatic and focus on expanding your empire throughout Hyland City.