A planet's designation determines what it does within your empire. The main way it does this is by assigning the planet's primary structure. Planets can only export resources produced by their primary structure; if the primary structure generates units or nothing, the planet cannot export any resource. Some designations have primary structures that do not produce anything at all; these structures instead grant a special effect, like increasing the tech level of other planets.

Planets are typically manually designated by the player, by pressing the “Designate” button. Designation is instantaneous, but it takes a couple of watches for the new primary structure to reach full production. Designating a planet temporarily reduces efficiency. Planets can only be given designations that are allowed by their current tech level and deposits.

TL 5 or higher. Requires aetherium deposits. Primary structure is aetherium processor. Planet produces and exports aetherium.

Default designation for independent worlds. Cannot be designated by player. No primary structure; surplus labor is wasted. Planet also contains the militia base structure which builds basic infantry.

TL 7 or higher. Requires chronimium deposits. Primary structure is chronimium processor. Planet produces and exports chronimium.

TL 7 or higher. Requires chtholon deposits. Primary structure is chtholon extractor. Planet produces and exports aetherium.

TL 5 or higher. Primary structure is citadel complex. Planet produces basic infantry and jumpmissiles.

Primary structure is consumer goods autofac. Planet produces and exports all 3 classes of consumer goods (organic food, durable goods, luxury goods).

TL 5 or higher. The planet's TL will increase to match the TL of the imperial capital if it is lower. Primary structure is foundation. The foundation structure converts labor into tech levels that can be imported by other planets nearby using a normal trade route. This can be more efficient overall than building tech programs. Foundations cannot uplift other planets to TLs higher than that of the imperial capital.

TL 4 or higher. Requires hexacarbide deposits. Primary structure is hexacarbide foundry. Planet produces and exports hexacarbide.

First and only planet that the player starts with. Can't be re-designated. Allows the player to designate and issue orders to planets within a 250LY radius. Primary structure and other effects depend on imperial doctrine. If the imperial capital is conquered, a sector capital will become the new imperial capital. If there is no appropriate sector capital, the entire empire will be destroyed.

TL 3 or higher. Primary structure is infantry academy. Planet produces various ground units.

TL 5 or higher. Primary structure is infantry equipment autofac. Planet produces and exports the armored vehicle and exoarmor components.

TL 5 or higher. Primary structure is jumpship components autofac. Planet produces and exports various jumpship components.

TL 5 or higher. Primary structure is jumpship yards. Planet produces jumpships. Jumpship yards structure projects a jumpbeacon.

TL 6 or higher. Planet must be in a nebula. Primary structure is ramjet components autofac. Planet produces and exports various ramjet components.

TL 5 or higher. Planet must be in a nebula. Primary structure is ramjet yards. Planet produces ramjets.

TL 5 or higher. Must be >250 LY from the imperial capital or another sector capital and is the only designation that can be given to such planets. 24 hours after designation, allows the player to designate and issue orders to planets within a 250LY radius. Primary structure and other effects depend on imperial doctrine. Vulnerable to secession. If a sector capital is conquered, some planets within 250 LY will randomly defect.

TL 6 or higher. Planet must not be in a nebula. Primary structure is starship components autofac. Planet produces and exports various starship components.

TL 5 or higher. Planet must not be in a nebula. Primary structure is starship yards. Planet produces starships.

TL 5 or higher. Primary structure is starport. Planet can import and export all resources, allowing it to consolidate and redistribute resources among many planets. Planet also contains the militia base structure which builds basic infantry. Surplus labor is assigned to the starport, which wastes it; it is better to assign labor to planetary defenses or the militia base.

TL 3 or higher. Primary structure is trillum extractor. Planet produces and exports trillum.