# Start and finish a prep batch

**Staff app: Settings → Stock → Prep list.** For chefs and authorised stock
staff. The list uses configured batch recipes, finished items, pars, and
available demand. Review it against the kitchen's actual plan.

## Check the list

Inspect **To prep today**, **Under way**, and **Made today**. A recipe without
an appropriate finished item or par may not join the morning plan. **Units do
not match** means yield and finished-item units need a configured conversion;
ask the stock/menu lead to resolve it rather than guessing production
quantities.

## Start and record production

1. Select the intended recipe and read the planned amount and shortages.
2. Choose the number of batches and **Start prepping**. Verify it appears
   **Under way** before starting another record.
3. When production is complete, open that existing batch and **Finish**.
4. Enter the quantity actually produced in the displayed unit. Check yield and
   ingredient availability, then **Finish and label**.
5. Verify the batch under **Made today** and its stock activity. Finishing
   removes recipe ingredients and adds the finished item; starting is not the
   same as recording completed production.

If the finish dialog asks how much the batch produced, enter its actual positive
output in the displayed unit. Correcting that field is separate from a
successful finish; check the saved batch afterwards.

A view-only role can inspect the plan but cannot start or finish batches. These
writes require a connection. Reopen the existing batch after an uncertain
outcome instead of creating another batch or finishing it twice.

## Print the label separately

Review made/use-by information, recipe allergens, quantity, and preparer. **Not
set**, **Not checked**, and **None declared** are different states; a missing
declaration is not proof that a product is allergen-free. Follow the kitchen's
verified recipe and labelling process.

Choose label copies and **Print** on the configured kitchen receipt printer. If
label sending fails after completion, the production may already be recorded.
Use **Print label** on the completed batch after printer recovery; do not finish
another batch merely to obtain a label. See
[Printer recovery](/troubleshooting/printers).

Escalate with recipe/batch, location, actual yield and unit, saved status, stock
activity checked, printer result, and the exact error.