How to get started?
Start off by running around collecting ressources from the ground and craft your first sciences packs, which can be used in your Lab-Cave.

I can't chop down trees! / How do I get wood?
Until you make use of an axe you can acess wood only through dead trees.

How does the Charcoal Kiln work?
Its a haystack with wood below. Try lighting it on fire and wait.

How do I create motion-energy?
Motion Energy is first created with your hands. Build a hand-crank-mill and a wooden-handle. Equip the handle in your hand (put it in the Ammo Slot for the engineers hand) and use it on the hand-crank-mill (attack it using C).
It will start spinning and create energy.