Mechanic's Wrench

Mechanics' Wrench is an early-game tool. It can connect wires without upgrading the Matter Manipulator.

Eventually you can add the wiring feature to Matter Manipulator, but you'd need to spend 6 Manipulator Modules (3 on Paint mode, and then 3 on Wiring mode, which depends on Paint mode). In the early game you might want to save Manipulator Modules for something else, like upgrading the Mining Laser, etc.