Current answer
Current third-party solution: γ → ε → α → η → β → ζ → θ → δ.
This exact sequence is reported by a current post-launch solution guide. It is not an official developer-published answer list, so treat the in-game clue as the final authority if a patch changes anything.
Why alphabetical order fails
Current player report: Steam players specifically report trying normal and reverse Greek-alphabet order and finding that it does not solve the shelf. That is the key reason this puzzle creates a real search intent.
Video-tested experience: the playthrough shows the player finding pages and environmental information, repeatedly noting positions 2, 4 and 7 while trying to reconstruct the Greek clue. The puzzle is therefore about reading the workshop clue, not knowing the alphabet from memory.
Fast method
- Collect or inspect the relevant clue pages/racks in the workshop.
- Match each Greek-marked bottle to the displayed position.
- Rebuild the eight-bottle order rather than sorting alphabetically.
- If you still cannot locate a clue object, use the cat item-highlight ability rather than brute-forcing all permutations.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main objective in Shelve the Potions!?
Sort more than 2,000 potions back onto shelves by discovering the rule for each handcrafted shelf puzzle.
Are all shelves solved the same way?
No. The developer says the game contains many unique puzzle rules; the videos show number, liquid level, color, Greek-letter, compass, clock, weather and other clue types.
Can the game reveal a puzzle answer?
Yes. The magical-cat assistance system can highlight relevant items and can reveal a puzzle solution when you are stuck.
Can I find missing puzzle items with an ability?
Yes. The videos show a highlight ability designed to mark items associated with the selected potion puzzle.
Is there a penalty for taking too long?
The official Steam description says the game has no timers or penalties.
How many unique puzzles are there?
The developer devlog says 28 unique puzzles were created. The store page uses the broader wording “20+ handcrafted puzzles.”
Do some puzzles require collecting pieces first?
Yes. Video playthroughs show missing chess pieces, clock parts, pages, books and other clue objects that must be found before some answers become clear.
What should I do when a shelf order looks right but does not complete?
Check whether you are using the correct shelf and whether the puzzle clue points to a different attribute such as liquid amount, bottle size, cork size or an environmental sequence.
Does the tutorial teach mechanics used later?
Yes. The tutorial demonstrates number order, liquid-level order, color sequencing and an environmental-object method using the crow.
Can potions get physically stuck?
A full-game video shows a potion becoming stuck under furniture due to collision behavior. Treat that as a player-observed issue rather than a universal bug.
Show 2 more questions
What is the Greek-letter potion order?
A current third-party solution guide reports γ → ε → α → η → β → ζ → θ → δ; verify against the in-game clue because this is not an official developer-published answer.
How does the chess puzzle work?
Find the lost chess pieces, restore the board, then use the resulting captured pieces as the sequence clue.