First 30 minutes
Move slowly through the attic and complete the Mannequin Arm puzzle before the next spawn wave. Use the painted arrow as your main cue - the developers telegraph every required path.
Ammo economy
Handgun bullets are scarce. Reserve them for Jackson during the Downstairs pursuit. Skip small enemies and focus ammo on enemies that gate progression.
Stealth vs Combat
Stealth is the cheapest resource you have. Breaking line of sight is faster than reloading. Choose combat only when the entity blocks an objective.
When to heal
Healing items are finite. Use First Aid only when below half-health, and stockpile at least one item for the Barn Showdown finale.