> ## 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.

# Temporary Tables

> Create walk-in and pop-up seating from the Waiter Floor — always temporary for staff, auto-archives once paid.

The + button on the Waiter Floor lets you create a **temporary table** on the fly. Perfect for walk-ins, patio spillover, or groups that appear without a reservation.

## Overview

Staff can create tables at any time, but the created table is **always temporary** — the "Temporary" checkbox is locked on when the actor isn't a manager. Once the bill is paid and the session closes, the table auto-archives from the floor plan.

<Note>
  This is a Waiter Module-specific view of temporary tables. For the full concept, see [Temporary Tables in Table Management](/tables/temporary-tables).
</Note>

## Create a temporary table

1. On the Floor view, tap the **emerald + button** in the top bar.
2. The **Add Table** modal opens.

<Frame caption="Add Table modal launched from the Waiter Floor">
  <img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/dishink/images/waiter/temporary-tables.png" alt="Add temporary table" />
</Frame>

3. Enter a **name** — e.g. `Walk-in 1`, `Group of 6`, `Bar Stool`, `Birthday party`.
4. Set **default capacity** with the − / + stepper (optional).
5. Pick a **section** (or **+ Create new section**) — many restaurants use `Walk-in`.
6. The **Temporary table** checkbox is checked and greyed out with the note: *"Staff-created tables are always temporary."*
7. Tap **Add Table**.

The card appears on your floor plan immediately, tagged with a purple **Temp** badge. You are automatically assigned as the covering waiter (`assignToStaffMemberId` = your staff ID).

## Auto-assignment

Because you created it, DishInk auto-assigns you to the table. You'll see it on your **My Tables** view without asking a manager. Managers can reassign it later from [Waiter Assignments](/tables/waiter-assignments).

## Opening the session

Tap the newly created card and follow the [Opening Tables](/waiter/opening-tables) flow — same guest-count sheet as any other table.

## Auto-archive

Once **both** of these are true, the table auto-archives from the floor plan:

1. The session is closed (via [Closing Tables](/waiter/closing-tables) or the POS Pay & Close flow).
2. The bill is fully paid (payment ≥ total).

Historical data (bill, ZRA submission, KDS records) is preserved. The card simply disappears the next time the floor refreshes.

## Editing and deleting

* **Rename**: tap the table's edit icon (available to you as the creator without a Manager PIN).
* **Change capacity / section**: same edit modal.
* **Delete before ordering**: allowed without Manager PIN for staff-created temporary tables.
* **Delete with unpaid bill**: blocked. Close the bill first, or ask a manager to force-close.

## Offline creation

If your tablet is offline, temporary-table creation queues via the offline queue manager and applies on reconnect. The card appears optimistically so you can start taking the order.

## Tips & best practices

<Tip>
  Give walk-in temporary tables **descriptive names** — `Group of 4 · Patio`, `Birthday party · main floor`. The kitchen sees these on tickets and can prioritise or ask questions if needed.
</Tip>

<Tip>
  Use a consistent `Walk-in` section. Combined with the Floor **Walk-in preference** toggle, it keeps your permanent layout clean.
</Tip>

<Tip>
  If you regularly create the same walk-in slot every night, ask a manager to convert it to a permanent table.
</Tip>

## Common mistakes

* **Trying to uncheck Temporary.** Not possible for staff — this is by design.
* **Deleting a temporary table with an unpaid bill.** Blocked. Settle first.
* **Creating a temporary table when a permanent one is free.** Prefer the permanent table; it keeps reporting cleaner.
* **Naming everything `Walk-in`.** They pile up. Add a descriptor.

## Related pages

* [Temporary Tables (Table Management)](/tables/temporary-tables)
* [Assigned Tables](/waiter/assigned-tables)
* [Opening Tables](/waiter/opening-tables)
* [Closing Tables](/waiter/closing-tables)
* [Waiter Assignments](/tables/waiter-assignments)