Starfield gives you a limited number of outpost slots right from the start, and filling them up with bases you no longer need is a quick way to box yourself in. The good news is that deleting an outpost is straightforward once you know where to look, because the game does not make it obvious. Here is exactly how to get it done.
Before You Delete — Save Your Game First
Before removing any outpost, create a manual save file. Once you confirm the deletion, there is no undo button. The only way to recover a deleted outpost is to reload a previous save, so a quick save before you start is always worth doing.
It is also a good idea to unassign any crew members and robots stationed at the outpost before deleting it. This helps avoid minor glitches that can occasionally occur when assigned units are present at the time of deletion. Additionally, make sure your ship is landed nearby before you proceed, as this ensures building materials transfer smoothly into your cargo hold.
How to Delete an Outpost in Starfield
You cannot delete an outpost through any menu. You must physically travel to the outpost you want to remove and interact with its beacon. Follow these steps:
- Travel to the outpost you want to delete.
- Find the Outpost Beacon, which is the small mast placed at the time of construction.
- Walk up to the beacon and interact with it.
- You will see options to enter build mode and rename the outpost. Look for the faded text beneath the rename option, which reads “Remove Outpost.”
- Hold down the rename button rather than tapping it. On keyboard, that is R. On Xbox controller, that is X.
- A confirmation prompt will appear. Confirm the deletion and the beacon along with all connected structures will be removed instantly.
The key step most players miss is Step 5. The delete function does not have its own dedicated button. Instead, it activates by holding the rename input, which is why so many players overlook it entirely. The deletion process works the same way across all versions of the game, including PC, Xbox, and Game Pass.
What Happens When You Delete an Outpost?
There are a few important things to know about what deletion actually does:
| What Happens | Details |
| The outpost is fully removed | The base disappears from the world, the planetary map, and all relevant menus almost instantly |
| Materials are refunded | You recover most or all building materials, which are deposited into your ship’s cargo hold, not your personal inventory |
| Stored items are returned | Resources in containers, extractors, and storage units are also typically returned or dropped |
| Crew members are unassigned | Any companions or crew stationed at the outpost are simply unassigned, not lost. You can reassign them to another base or ship at any time |
| Outpost slot becomes available | The deletion frees up one slot in your global outpost limit, allowing you to build elsewhere |
A couple of practical notes worth keeping in mind. First, if a deleted outpost still appears on your planetary map after removal, a quick fast travel or save reload will fix it. Second, all outposts are automatically wiped when you enter New Game Plus mode, so every base you have built will be gone when you restart on the same character.
How to Delete Individual Structures Without Removing the Whole Outpost
If you only want to remove specific buildings rather than the entire base, you can delete structures one at a time. Here is how:
- Travel to your outpost and enter build mode.
- Hover over the structure you want to remove.
- Select the delete option for that individual piece.
- The structure is removed and its materials are refunded immediately.
This is particularly useful if you want to reorganise a base, clear out unused modules, or free up space without starting from scratch.
How to Increase Your Outpost Limit in Starfield
By default, Starfield allows you to build a maximum of eight outposts. This limit is global, meaning it applies across all planets and star systems combined. Building one outpost on one planet and another on a different planet both count toward the same total.
You can expand this limit through the Planetary Habitation skill, which sits on the fourth tier of the Science skill tree. Each rank adds four additional outpost slots and progressively unlocks the ability to build in more extreme environments. Here is the full breakdown:
| Rank | Total Outpost Slots | Environment Unlocked |
| No skill | 8 | Standard planets |
| Rank 1 | 12 | Extreme temperature planets |
| Rank 2 | 16 | Extreme pressure environments |
| Rank 3 | 20 | Toxic and corrosive atmospheres |
| Rank 4 | 24 | Extreme gravity planets |
At maximum rank, you can maintain up to 24 active outposts across the entire game world and build on virtually any planet regardless of its environmental conditions. Because Planetary Habitation is a tier four Science skill, you will need to unlock the earlier tiers first before you can access it. However, for players who take base building seriously, it is one of the most valuable Science tree investments available.
Quick Reference — Controls for Deleting an Outpost
| Platform | Button to Hold |
| PC (Keyboard) | Hold R |
| Xbox Controller | Hold X |
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