InputSlot

Item input port on stationary machines with an input buffer. Returned by: self.input

Connection

.connect(name)

Set a compatible item source by stable id or display name. Two stationary endpoints must share an outpost. A Rover or Pioneer is reachable only while parked inside this machine’s service area. Field-extractor pickup outputs can be pulled only by a Rover or Pioneer. A drone’s cargo moves through its Drone Depot. "inventory" is a freight source only while the endpoint is at Nocturna Base; remote ports use local Storage Bins, Warehouses, or machine buffers.

Returns: ActionResult · Outcomes: "ok" / "not_found" / "not_local" / "same_endpoint" / "unsupported_source" / "source_is_vehicle" (drones)

.disconnect()

Clear the source connection. Does not move or discard buffered items; use eject(...) to recover them or flush() to destroy them.

Returns: ActionResult · Outcomes: "ok"

.connected_to() / .connected_id()

Display name / stable id of the connected source (empty string when none). connect() accepts either, so compare against connected_id() when identity must survive renames.

Returns: string

Transfers

All transfers wait automatically for time proportional to units moved and require Auto Feeders research. Property selection: a properties dict matches stacks containing that subset by default; property_match is "any" / "subset" / "exact" (with None, "exact" selecting only propertyless items). Exact source properties are always retained. Outcome codes are the shared TransferResult set.

.take(item_id, count, properties=None, property_match=None)

Take up to count units from the connected source into this buffer.

Returns: TransferResult (payload .requested, .moved)

.eject(destination, item_id, count, properties=None, property_match=None)

Recover up to count units from this buffer without changing its source connection. Destination: "inventory" at Nocturna Base, or a compatible same-outpost store, machine input, or parked ground vehicle. Active or reserved work rejects without moving anything; a successful ejection cancels fractional work attached to the staged input.

Returns: TransferResult

.flush()

Permanently destroy the buffered contents (referenced across machine pages; the recovery-safe alternative is eject).