Playing Cookie Clicker is a surprisingly deep and addictive experience. While it starts with a simple premise, it quickly evolves into a strategic game of exponential growth. Here is a guide on how to play, including the basic mechanics and some tips to get you started.

The Fundamental Gameplay Loop

Click the Giant Cookie: This is where it all begins. You'll see a large cookie on the left side of your screen. Every click on this cookie earns you one cookie. In the very beginning, clicking is your only source of income, so click away!

Buy Buildings: As you accumulate cookies, you can purchase "buildings" from the right-hand menu. These buildings are your key to passive income. Each building automatically generates a certain number of cookies per second (CpS). Examples include:

Cursors: These are your first and cheapest option. They automatically click the big cookie for you.

Grandmas: These are surprisingly powerful early-game buildings.

Farms, Mines, Factories, Banks, Temples, Wizards Towers, etc.: Each new building type you unlock is more expensive but also more efficient than the last.

Cost Increases: Be aware that the cost of each building type increases every time you buy one, so you'll eventually need to save up for the next tier of building.

Purchase Upgrades: Below the buildings, you'll find a separate section for upgrades. These are essential for maximizing your cookie production. Upgrades can:

Increase the effectiveness of your clicks.

Multiply the CpS of specific buildings or all buildings.

Unlock new game features and mechanics.

Upgrades become available when you reach certain milestones, such as owning a specific number of a certain building.