Introductory course on mechanisms [Minecraft PE Guides]
This guide is designed for players who have spent some time in the game and are looking for something new. Here, I will introduce you to the fundamental mechanisms in Minecraft: Pocket Edition.
Let’s start with what are known as door mechanisms.
Doors, both wooden and iron. No need for further explanation.![Introduction to Mechanisms [Minecraft PE Guides] Introduction to Mechanisms [Minecraft PE Guides]](https://new.planet-mc.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/1471781857_d094d183d0b1d0bed0b2d0b0d18f_d0b4d0b2d0b5d180d18c-1.png.webp)
Wooden doors can be opened by hand, while iron doors require a redstone signal to open.
Trapdoors, available in wood and iron. They cover a 1×1 block passage from above or below and can also serve decorative purposes.![Introduction to Mechanisms [Minecraft PE Guides] Introduction to Mechanisms [Minecraft PE Guides]](https://new.planet-mc.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/1471782032_d094d0b5d180d0b5d0b2d18fd0bdd0bdd18bd0b9_d0bbd18ed0ba-1.png.webp)
Similar to doors, iron trapdoors cannot be opened manually.
Lastly, we have gates. These are simple fences that can be opened and stand at a height of one block.![Introduction to Mechanisms [Minecraft PE Guides] Introduction to Mechanisms [Minecraft PE Guides]](https://new.planet-mc.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/1471782091_d092d0bed180d0bed182d0b0-2.gif)
Next, let’s move on to switches. Switches are various devices that emit a redstone signal when used.
Levers. When toggled, they emit a redstone signal.
Buttons, made of wood and stone. When pressed, they emit a short signal.![Introduction to Mechanisms [Minecraft PE Guides] Introduction to Mechanisms [Minecraft PE Guides]](https://new.planet-mc.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/1471782168_d09ad0b0d0bcd0b5d0bdd0bdd0b0d18f_d0bad0bdd0bed0bfd0bad0b0-1.png.webp)
Pressure plates, both stone and wooden. They emit a redstone signal when stepped on (or activated by an item).![Introduction to Mechanisms [Minecraft PE Guides] Introduction to Mechanisms [Minecraft PE Guides]](https://new.planet-mc.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/1471782186_d094d0b5d180d0b5d0b2d18fd0bdd0bdd0b0d18f_d0bad0bdd0bed0bfd0bad0b0-1.png.webp)
Detector rails. Emit a redstone signal when a minecart passes over them.
String sensors:
Weighted pressure plate. Unlike regular pressure plates, these require more force to emit a signal.
Trap chest. Emits a redstone signal when opened.![Introduction to Mechanisms [Minecraft PE Guides] Introduction to Mechanisms [Minecraft PE Guides]](https://new.planet-mc.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/1471782262_d0a1d183d0bdd0b4d183d0ba-d0bbd0bed0b2d183d188d0bad0b0-2.gif)
Now, let’s discuss redstone mechanisms.
Redstone torch, an infinite source of redstone signals:
Redstone block, which also serves as an infinite source of redstone signals:
Redstone wire, as the name suggests, conducts redstone signals:
Redstone repeater, a device that helps transmit signals over long distances or provides delay in signal transmission:
Comparator:![Introduction to Mechanisms [Minecraft PE Guides] Introduction to Mechanisms [Minecraft PE Guides]](https://new.planet-mc.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/1471781677_redstone_28repeater2c_active29-2.gif)
Moving on to rails:
Rails, standard tracks for minecarts:
Detector rails. A mechanism that emits a redstone signal when a minecart travels over it: