Pin specific cards into every build or permanently block them from selection.
---
## Overview
The Include / Exclude feature (also called "Must-Haves") lets you control card selection at the individual card level, outside the normal theme and pool logic.
- **Must Include**: cards are always added to the deck, before pool selection runs.
- **Must Exclude**: cards are never added, regardless of theme, bracket, or pool filtering.
Requires `ALLOW_MUST_HAVES=1` (default: on).
---
## Enabling the UI Controls
The include/exclude buttons are hidden by default to keep the Step 5 interface clean. To show them:
```
SHOW_MUST_HAVE_BUTTONS=1
```
When enabled, each card row in Step 5 gains a Must Include (+) and Must Exclude (−) button. You can also manage lists via the quick-add input at the top of the section.
---
## Adding Cards
### Via Step 5 UI
1. Enable `SHOW_MUST_HAVE_BUTTONS=1`.
2. In Step 5, click **+** on a card to add it to Must Include, or **−** to add it to Must Exclude.
3. Use the quick-add input at the top to add cards by name without scrolling.
### Via JSON Config
Supply lists in your deck config file:
```json
{
"must_include": ["Sol Ring", "Arcane Signet"],
"must_exclude": ["Thassa's Oracle"]
}
```
Both keys accept an array of card names. Names are matched case-insensitively.
---
## Priority Order
When include/exclude interacts with other filters, this order applies:
1.**Must Exclude** — always wins; card is never selected.
2.**Must Include** — card is always added, before pool selection.
3.**Budget filter** — applied to the remaining pool after Must Include cards are inserted.
4.**Bracket filter** — applied after budget.
Must Include cards are inserted directly and are not subject to budget pool filtering. They may appear as over-budget in the summary if they exceed the ceiling, and they may trigger bracket warnings if they violate bracket rules.
Some cards have a printed exception allowing any number of copies in a Commander deck. When you add one of these cards to Must Include, a count picker dialog appears to set the desired copy count.
For the full list of supported archetypes, count caps, and detailed guidance see the [Multi-Copy Package](multi_copy.md) guide.
**Can I include a card that isn't in my commander's color identity?**
The builder will attempt to add it but will silently skip it if the card is outside the commander's color identity. Check the build summary for skipped cards.
**What happens if my Must Include list makes the deck exceed 100 cards?**
Must Include cards are inserted before pool selection fills the remaining slots. The total is always capped at 100 cards, with Must Includes taking priority over pool-selected cards.
**Do Must Include cards count against bracket compliance?**
Yes. A Must Include card that violates your bracket (e.g., a Game Changer at Bracket 2) will be flagged in the compliance report. The card stays in the deck regardless of enforcement mode.
---
## See Also
- [Build Wizard](build_wizard.md) — where Include/Exclude fits in the overall build flow
- [Multi-Copy Package](multi_copy.md) — dedicated guide for multi-copy archetype builds
- [Bracket Compliance](bracket_compliance.md) — how Must Include cards interact with bracket enforcement
- [Locks, Replace & Permalinks](locks_replace_permalinks.md) — lock cards in place and swap alternatives after building
