# Auto repair reception: step-by-step handbook

Updated 22 October 2026.

Public documentation: /docs/specialist-operations#auto-repair
POS route: /pos/desks/auto-repair
Business workspace: /dashboard/specialist-operations

## Access and setup

Administrator: select the compatible trades foundation, its parent modules and the optional auto-intake block. Select Auto repair front desk · intake & release in counter workflow setup. Keep existing counters and assign Operations View for reading or Edit for operational changes.

## Step by step

1. Administrator: select the compatible trades foundation, its parent modules and the optional auto-intake block. Select Auto repair front desk · intake & release in counter workflow setup. Keep existing counters and assign Operations View for reading or Edit for operational changes.
2. Open /pos-login, choose Auto repair front desk · intake & release in Workflow, then sign in with the account for this business. Business administration uses a separate login; a copied desk URL cannot change your signed workflow. On a phone use the same online browser route; use your device keyboard for form entry.
3. Choose the appropriate queue (All vehicles, Arrivals, Inspection, Authorised, Work in progress, QC, Released). Use Check in vehicle to create a record, or open History & next action on an existing one.
4. Create the authoritative trade job first. Attach the vehicle identifier, odometer and intake condition/keys evidence.
5. Progress to inspection. An owner or manager records actual customer work-authorization evidence; changed estimated amounts require fresh authorization through inspection.
6. Record work and QC. Release requires the authoritative job already completed and recipient/QC evidence. Quote approval and payment remain in their existing workflows.
7. Only an owner or manager can record work authorization. Staff must obtain that review. If the agreed job estimate changes, return to Inspection and obtain fresh actual authorization. Complete the original job before release; no automatic parts issue or payment occurs.
8. Before changing desks or sales tabs, save the form or deliberately discard it. Switching is blocked while saving. If a record changed, refresh and review its latest version before retrying.

## Demo practice

Auto demo: 2 fictional vehicle intakes linked to existing open jobs: Received and Authorised. Seeded authorization evidence is synthetic, not customer consent.

Use the existing package-specific demo owner or staff credentials supplied privately by your administrator. Never place passwords in a public handbook. Demo authorizations and recipient evidence are synthetic. Seed reruns do not refresh dates, reset used records or reactivate revoked access.

## Review and shared handoff

Only an owner or manager can record work authorization. Staff must obtain that review. If the agreed job estimate changes, return to Inspection and obtain fresh actual authorization. Complete the original job before release; no automatic parts issue or payment occurs.
Business source: /dashboard/trades

## Current limits

Vehicle intake and work/release controls only. No item-level authorization, bay planning, warranty engine, automatic parts issues or payment-release enforcement. This operational desk has no new payment engine.

## When blocked

- Missing desk: verify the selected workflow, optional block, parent foundation and staff Operations access.
- Authorization blocked: use an eligible owner or manager; operator access alone does not grant review powers.
- Source not ready: complete the required original kitchen, sales or job action in the Business portal and refresh.
- Stale version: refresh the record and review its history before retrying; do not repeat a sale or stock action.
- No network: these browser desks require the ERP server; do not treat an unsaved form as a completed transaction.

## Visual instructions

The matching industry handbook includes flow/sequence diagrams and Diagram view → Step by Step. New desk screenshots remain pending; no synthetic screenshot is presented as captured evidence. Use your browser Print / Save PDF to export these instructions.


## Offline purchase and activation

Desktop supports its installed packages; native Android permanent activation requires 1.3.0-preview and currently supports Retail and Water Refilling. This does not make cloud browser pages available offline.

1. Open the existing local business and its License & local package page. Expired trial records are retained; do not reinstall or create another business.
2. Copy the activation request and send it privately to support using any available device. Confirm the platform, exact installed version, supported package and agreed payment.
3. Super Admin opens Offline licenses, verifies the request, ownership and payment, then generates a signed permanent key without requiring a cloud tenant.
4. Transfer the key to the original device, paste/import it, verify the preview and apply the local package. Existing business records remain.
5. Permanent use covers the purchased version; updates/support and Cloud are separate. Keep local backups. Device replacement, rebinding or package changes require support review.

Full customer and administrator instructions: /docs/offline-activation.