Is there a general guide for playing Cookie Clicker?

Yes — there are multiple general guides you can use to learn Cookie Clicker quickly: the official Cookie Clicker site for basics and downloads, the community-run Cookie Clicker Wiki for deep mechanics and reference, and a large collection of player-written walkthroughs and how-tos on the Steam Guides hub. These cover core systems like buildings, upgrades, Golden Cookies, Wrinklers, and the prestige/ascension system so you can get started and level up your runs. (cookieclicker.com)

For practical play, focus first on a few fundamentals and then consult targeted guides as you hit new stages. Useful starting topics and where to look: - Golden Cookies and their effects (wiki/Steam guides). - When to ascend and how Heavenly Chips work (strategy articles explain timing). - Achievements, Milk & Kitten upgrades for long-term multipliers. - Wrinklers and the Grandmapocalypse mechanics for risk/reward play. Read a Pocket Gamer-style guide for ascension timing and example builds, then use the wiki as an in-depth reference for particular upgrades or minigames. With those resources you’ll have a clear, scalable path from first clicks to late-game optimization. (pocketgamer.com)