How can a cell build large macromolecular assemblies fast? They do so by maintaining the critical components preassembled in the cytoplasm in the form of mechanoresponsive contractility kits (like IKEA kits). Then, when the cell receives an input, such as a mechanical stress, the system responds by rapidly unpacking and building the network structures, allowing the cell to overcome or adapt to the input. For a full explanation, please see Kothari et al. J. Cell Sci. 2019 (primary paper describing how these concepts and network were discerned) and Kothari et al. J. Cell Sci. 2019 (review describing cell shape control through the lens of control theory).