Build prep stations before troubleshooting KDS routing. A prep station is the production destination used by kitchen tickets; a KDS screen or printer is equipment assigned to that destination.
Create the station layout
- Open Hardware > Stations and choose Templates for a standard layout or Stations > Add station for one destination.
- Enter a unique Code (slug) and a customer-facing Display name.
- Choose a Station role, such as Kitchen / general line, Grill, Saute / range, Fryer, Expo / pass, Bar / drinks, or Prep / cold.
- Choose the ticket template and save.
- Confirm the station is linked to the registers that send work to it. A warning appears when no register links the prep line.
Using Replace on a station template replaces the current custom station rows. Review the confirmation before applying it.
Route menu work to the station
Open POS settings and find Kitchen routing. Name the rule set and define item-name words for Grill, Fryer, or Expo/pass when broad automatic routing is sufficient.
Use the more specific sections when an automatic word rule is not enough:
- Item station rules pins one item ID to a prep station.
- Modifier station rules routes an item when it contains a named modifier.
- Order source station rules separates sources or service modes such as kiosk or dine-in.
- Bulk item station lists assigns several item IDs to one station.
Save the settings, then submit one controlled order containing a known item and modifier. Do not leave a production screen on All to conceal an incorrect route.
Bind KDS screens and printers
Open the station's Equipment tab and choose a role and device. Primary KDS accepts KDS screen devices. Multiple primary screens can share the same station queue because tickets are keyed to the prep station, not to one display.
Kitchen order-ticket printer sends an individual kitchen ticket job to each bound primary printer when work is accepted for the station. Backup kitchen printer supports several ordered secondary routes; use Move secondary route up or Move secondary route down to set spillover priority. Customer receipt, order card, and full-order document printers are separate output roles.
Use Replace to change a binding and Remove assignment to detach it. Check the readiness dot and last-seen state; a saved binding does not prove that an offline device can receive work.
Change or delete a station safely
Editing a display name does not repair menu routing by itself. Recheck item, modifier, bulk, and order-source rules after changing the layout.
When products still point to a station, deletion requires a choice: Reassign to another active station or Clear product links instead. Deleting also removes device assignments for that station. Place a controlled test order after any delete, reassignment, or binding change before relying on the new route during service.