Route desk

DOORS Archives Guides

Task-led walkthroughs built for the exact question that brought you here—then linked into the next decision in the run.

10 complete guidesReviewed Aug 29, 2026

Getting startedUpdated Aug 29

The current route into The Archives, what to choose in the lobby, and what to know about older Hotel entry reports.

WalkthroughUpdated Aug 29

A practical Archives run plan covering sectors, elevators, Gold skips, recovery rooms, and the encounters that most often end a run.

PlanningUpdated Aug 29

The exact A–Z room count, how sector skips change the route, and a calculator-ready way to estimate your own run time.

CompletionUpdated Aug 29

What Z-50 means, how to plan the final sector, and how the official Z-50 badge fits the A–Z route.

Secret routeUpdated Aug 29

The current Skeleton Key route through The Mines, Door 152, and the hidden Stairwell entrance.

Secret routeUpdated Aug 29

A compact Door 152 checklist for finding the broken route, using the Skeleton Key, and avoiding the most common failed setup.

Entity puzzleUpdated Aug 29

How to read the six-flower station, compare the loop, and choose the correct direction in The Archives.

PlanningUpdated Aug 29

How end-of-section Gold skips work, why the price matters, and when saving currency is stronger than skipping.

SurvivalUpdated Aug 29

A compact guide to recovering health during a long Archives run and using the water-cooler controls correctly.

CollectionUpdated Aug 29

How the Journal records entities, items, and locations, plus a practical plan for collecting entries without wasting full runs.