The Last of Us Part I workbench tool locations
Find all five red toolboxes required to unlock the full weapon-upgrade tiers.
Applies to: Part I remake · five tool levels
Quick answer
The five toolboxes are in Bill’s Town–Graveyard, Pittsburgh–Alone and Forsaken, The Suburbs–Sewers, University–Science Building, and Bus Depot–Highway Exit. Each raises Joel’s tool level; finding a later box does not substitute for every missed level in a single cleanup step.
Five red toolboxes
- Bill’s Town — Graveyard, near where Bill demonstrates the nail bomb.
- Pittsburgh — Alone and Forsaken, in the garage opened with Ellie’s help.
- The Suburbs — Sewers, in a side room before the control room.
- University — Science Building, Room 205 behind a shiv door.
- Bus Depot — Highway Exit, in the large FEDRA tent after the giraffe scene.
If you miss one
Tool levels are cumulative. Continue carefully from a suitable save or collect the missing level on another run; do not assume the fifth physical box instantly grants all five levels.
What tools unlock
Higher levels expose stronger weapon upgrades at workbenches. Parts still pay for each upgrade separately.
Sources
Official product and patch facts are linked to PlayStation, Steam and Naughty Dog. Location and playtime answers are attributed and were cross-checked between established guide sources.
Not independently play-tested. This is not a claim that every platform or game version was tested. Source review: Oct 12, 2026.
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