More puzzles after today's board
A free LinkedIn Patches alternative with 1,000 levels
Finished today's LinkedIn Patches and want another puzzle? Patches.cafe is an independent rectangle puzzle with a 1,000-level campaign, selectable starting points, and offline play. You can continue through the campaign without waiting for a new daily board.
The part that will feel familiar
In LinkedIn Patches, you cover the grid with shapes, each containing one clue. A clue can specify size, shape, both, or neither. Shapes can include squares, tall or wide rectangles, and freeform shapes. Every cell belongs to exactly one shape.
Patches.cafe focuses on rectangles. With an ordinary numbered clue, the rectangle's area must match the number: a 6 can form a 1×6 strip or a 2×3 block, in either orientation. Later clues add shape restrictions, hidden numbers, and designated overlap cells. The games share the idea of fitting shapes around clues, but their full rules are different. The clue guide explains our symbols.
The basic one-number-per-rectangle puzzle is also known as Shikaku. Our Shikaku online guide explains that rule with a small completed board.
What you can play here
LinkedIn releases a new Patches puzzle each day. Patches.cafe has a numbered campaign you can continue whenever you want. If you searched for more games like LinkedIn Patches, the main difference here is having a long campaign alongside the daily challenge.
The campaign has 1,000 levels across ten chapters. Gold clues require square patches, and arrows require wider or taller rectangles. Coffee stains hide clues until you place a neighbouring patch. Matching letters connect patches with the same shape. Double-layer cells are marked exceptions to the usual rule against overlap.
Espresso Blitz adds a time limit, while Perfectionist limits your moves. Daily Brew gives everyone the same puzzle for each UTC date. The editor lets you draw a finished layout and share a code so someone else can solve it. Read about Patches.cafe for more about the game.
A long campaign
1,000 numbered boards, with later chapters that add rules instead of only growing the grid.
Modes besides the daily
Blitz, Perfectionist, a shared daily, and an editor for boards you want to pass around.
Choose your starting point
Begin at level 1, 121, 251, or 501 depending on how familiar you are with rectangle puzzles.
Save and play offline
Progress stays in your browser. Prepare the game for offline play, or use a private code to sync progress between devices.
Accounts, saves, and offline play
You can play Patches.cafe without an account. LinkedIn also offers guest play, so playing without signing in is not unique to this game. Here, campaign progress and achievements are saved in your browser, with optional encrypted synchronization through a private code.
For a flight or a break without internet, install Patches.cafe while connected and let the offline download finish before disconnecting. You can then play the campaign offline. Online rankings and synchronization require a connection; music is available offline once its download has finished.
Choose where to start
Open the game menu and choose a starting point. Level 1 teaches the basic rule. If you already play rectangle puzzles, you can start at 121, 251, or 501 to reach larger boards and additional mechanics. You can revisit earlier levels too. For one shared challenge, try today's Daily Brew.
Drag from one corner to the opposite corner to draw a rectangle. Tap a placed patch to remove it. On mobile, tap a clue marked 1 to place a single-cell patch. If you get stuck, a hint places one correct patch and uses one of your available hints. More hints can be bought with stars earned by playing.
Open a board
Start with the basics or jump to a later starting point. The campaign has no daily waiting period.
Play Patches.cafe