Basic Crafting
8 planks in a ring (center empty) = 1 chest (27 slots). Two side by side auto-merge into large chest (54 slots). Can't place next to existing chest without gap or trapped chest.
Advanced Storage
Shulker Box: shulker shells from End Cities + chest. Stores items AND fits in inventory/ender chest — 27 portable slots. Ender Chest (8 obsidian+eye of ender): global shared storage across all locations. Barrel (6 planks+2 slabs): fisherman station, opens from top.
Capacity & Rules
A single chest holds 27 slots; two adjacent chests merge into a large chest (54 slots). A solid block directly above prevents opening — only air, slabs, glass and other transparent blocks are safe. This is the most common beginner mistake.
Advanced Storage
Use shulker boxes (27 slots and portable, found in End cities) when you need to move items. Hoppers feeding chests build automatic sorting systems. A trapped chest (chest plus tripwire hook) hides storage and emits a redstone signal for contraptions.