Factorio – How to Monitor Circuit Network Signal Values

You can set a filter to quickbar slot by middle-mouse button (clear by control middle mouse button). It can be changed in the options.

The same technique can be used to reserve some of the slots in cargo wagon for some specific items.

In 0.12.20:

1. In peaceful mode enemies never expand.
2. /c game.local_player.surface.set_multi_command{command={type=defines.command.build_base, destination={250, 100}, ignore_planner=1}, unit_count=10} Size of the base is selected by unit_count. The biters that are used for building are not spawned by this command, there needs to be a nearby spawner that provides the settlers.
3. /c game.local_player.surface.create_entity{name="biter-spawner", position={40, -40}}

Outside peaceful mode the biters select a candidate position, and send a group there once in a while. The interval depends on evolution factor and is between 60 minutes and 5 minutes (controlled in map-settings prototype in game data).

Positions selected needs to be at between 3 and 7 chunks from existing base and at least 3 chunks from player buildings (controlled in map-settings again). You can view chunks that are candidate for expansion wit debug view (F5 - F7 and F4) as green circles the map, the option name is called show_enemy_expansion_candidate_chunks.