- Preparation. Every wave opens with a countdown. Build during it, or press START WAVE to bring the wave early and take the Thread bonus.
- Waves. The Unwritten come out of the tear - and, on a page with holes, out of the holes. They walk the shortest road to the Anchor and attack whatever blocks it.
- The Anchor. 1000 health. Enemies that reach it spend themselves on it: they do not stop, and they are not a kill.
- Thread is the currency. Kills pay it, Thread Spinners make it, finishing a wave pays a bonus, and starting one early pays more.
- World Integrity is how much of the page still exists. It is scored at the end and it gates some stars, but it never ends the run.
