> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.dishink.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Taking Orders

> Browse the menu, customise items with modifiers and quick notes, and build the ticket in the per-table cart.

Once a session is open, DishInk switches to the **Menu** view. Tap items, customise them, and build the ticket. Every table has its own persistent cart — you can move between tables without losing what's in each one.

## Overview

The Waiter menu is the same catalogue used across POS and QR menus, but presented for fast tap-through service. You can:

* Filter by category.
* Search by item name.
* See prices in Kwacha (K).
* Add items with quantity, modifiers (extras, sides, sauces), and freeform notes.
* Edit or remove items before sending to kitchen.

Modifiers and menu items are **cached in local storage** — the menu works fully offline, including modifier options.

<Frame caption="Waiter Menu view with categories and items">
  <img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/dishink/images/waiter/taking-orders.png" alt="Waiter menu" />
</Frame>

## Add an item

1. Tap any menu item.
2. The **Item Customizer** sheet opens.

<Frame caption="Item customiser — quantity, modifiers, quick notes, special request">
  <img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/dishink/images/waiter/item-customiser.png" alt="Item customiser" />
</Frame>

The customiser contains:

### Quantity

The − / + stepper. Minimum 1, no upper limit.

### Modifier groups

Each group shows:

* Its **name** (e.g. `Toppings`, `Cooking preference`).
* **• Required** (red) or **• Optional** (grey).
* A counter (`2/3`) for multi-select groups showing selected/max.
* A grid of options with the price delta (e.g. `+K 5.00`).

Selection rules:

* **Single-select** (`max_selection: 1`) — tapping a new option replaces the current one.
* **Multi-select** (`max_selection: N`) — tap to add up to N; disabled options grey out when max is reached.
* **Required** groups block confirmation until minimum is met — you'll see *"⚠ Please choose at least 1 option."*

### Quick notes

Preset chips: `No Onions`, `Extra Spicy`, `Medium Rare`, `Well Done`, `No Salt`, `Allergies`, `Takeaway`, `Cut in Half`. Multi-select — tap to toggle.

### Special request

Freeform textarea for anything the presets don't cover: *"No pickles, swap for salad"*, *"Serve with kids' cutlery"*.

### Price breakdown

When modifiers add cost, a live breakdown appears in the footer: `Base K 45.00 · Extras +K 8.00 · × 2 · Total K 106.00`.

3. Tap **Add to Ticket**. The item lands in the per-table cart.

## Editing a cart item

1. Tap the floating cart button (right side, red pill) or **Review Ticket** header.
2. In the **Review Ticket** sheet, tap the pencil on any line.
3. The customiser reopens in edit mode — same fields, prefilled.
4. Tap **Update Item**.

<Frame caption="Review Ticket sheet with edit and remove per line">
  <img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/dishink/images/waiter/review-ticket.png" alt="Review ticket" />
</Frame>

## Removing an item

In **Review Ticket**, tap the ✕ on the line. Item is removed immediately. Removing the last item auto-closes the sheet.

## Per-table cart persistence

Every table has its own cart stored in `localStorage` under `waiter_carts`. This means:

* You can switch to another table, add items, and return — your original cart is still there.
* If you close and reopen the app, carts survive.
* Carts persist per device — a cart on the tablet is not visible on the phone.

The **Unsent Orders** filter on the Floor view shows every table where you have a non-empty cart.

<Note>
  Carts clear automatically when you [send them to the kitchen](/waiter/sending-orders). Manually clearing a cart requires either sending or removing every item.
</Note>

## Split bills block new items

If the table has an **active split payment**, adding items is blocked:

> *Split bill active — items can't be added until the split is cancelled (POS → split panel → manager PIN).*

The customiser will not open. You'll see a toast explaining why. The reason: splits are a snapshot of item totals — silently adding items would under-bill the guests.

See [Split Bills](/pos/split-bills) for the cancellation flow.

## Merged tables block new items

If the current table has been merged into another, the customiser blocks with:

> *This table has been merged into another table — open that table to add items.*

Tap through to the primary and add items there. See [Merging Tables](/tables/merging-tables).

## Category filter and search

Above the menu grid:

* **Category chips** — tap to filter. Categories reflect your Menu Management configuration.
* **Search box** — type any part of an item name. Matches across all categories.

## Tips & best practices

<Tip>
  **Batch orders per guest.** Adding all items for guest 1, then all for guest 2, makes kitchen tickets and split bills easier later.
</Tip>

<Tip>
  Use **modifiers** for anything that changes price or requires kitchen action (extras, sauces, cooking level). Use **quick notes** for allergies or preferences that don't change price.
</Tip>

<Tip>
  Menu items load from cache — even if the tablet is offline. If the menu looks stale, tap the refresh icon in the offline banner.
</Tip>

<Tip>
  If a required modifier group is red-flagged, you can't confirm — this catches "no size selected" mistakes before they reach the kitchen.
</Tip>

## Common mistakes

* **Skipping required modifiers.** The customiser blocks you — but if you tap Add and nothing happens, scroll up to see the red warning.
* **Adding items to a merged or split table.** Blocked with a toast — resolve the merge or split first.
* **Losing items by switching accounts mid-cart.** Carts are per device, not per user. Signing out on the same tablet preserves them; signing in on a different device does not.
* **Forgetting to send.** Items sit in the cart forever until sent. The Floor view **Unsent Orders** filter is your safety net.

## Related pages

* [Sending Orders to Kitchen](/waiter/sending-orders)
* [Editing Orders](/waiter/editing-orders)
* [Assigned Tables](/waiter/assigned-tables)
* [Opening Tables](/waiter/opening-tables)
* [Menu Items](/menu/items)
* [Split Bills](/pos/split-bills)