> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/docs/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Set up event checklists > Add a check-off list to a service so staff complete the same steps every time before they finish the visit. ## What you will accomplish You will turn on **Enable Checklist** for one service and add the items staff must check during that visit. When the list is ready, a technician who opens the event sees the same groups and items every time—for example **Wheels & tires**, **Safety**, and **Mechanical**. Required items must be finished before the event can be marked complete. That protects your facility. It also gives the owner a clear record of what was inspected. ## When to use a checklist Use a checklist when the work is the same list of checks on many cars. Good fits: * Monthly or weekly storage inspections (tire pressure, battery, fluids). * Intake or pickup walk-arounds that should not skip safety items. * Shop tasks where a missed step causes a comeback or a claim. Skip a checklist for a short visit with no repeating steps—for example a one-hour detail with no inspection list. > [!NOTE] > > **This is not an Operations workflow** > > An **event checklist** lives on one event type and appears during that event's walkthrough. > > An **Operations workflow** is a named, multi-step process you start from a car or the calendar (intake, pickup, transport). If you need a longer process with several services in order, use [Create operations workflows](/docs/settings/create-operations-workflows.md) instead. ## Before you start * You can open [Settings > Services & schedule](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/settings/events) as an owner or admin. * The event type already exists. If not, start with [Configure event types](/docs/events/configure-event-types.md). * Write down the real checks your team already does on paper or from memory. * Decide which items are **Required** (must be done before finish) and which are optional reminders. ## Open the service and turn on Enable Checklist **1. Open Services & schedule** Go to [Settings > Services & schedule](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/settings/events). **Expected result:** You see a card for each service. **2. Click Advanced** Find the service that should have the list—for example **Internal Service**—and click **Advanced**. **Expected result:** The **Edit Event Type** page opens. Changes save as you work. Look for **Saved** near the top. **3. Scroll to Enable Checklist** Scroll past **Features** and **Event Scope** until you see **Enable Checklist**. The helper text says: **Add a checklist that must be completed during this event**. **4. Turn the switch on** Flip **Enable Checklist** on. **Expected result:** A **Checklist Items** box appears. The heading says **Add items that need to be checked during this event**. If the list is empty, you see **No checklist items**. ![Edit Event Type page with Enable Checklist turned on and grouped checklist items for Wheels and tires, Safety, and Mechanical](https://mintcdn.com/carstoragesoftware/Y2uxZmzRWHSqQdJO/images/events/events-checklist-enabled-sep20.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=Y2uxZmzRWHSqQdJO\&q=85\&s=199ddf62d989c9474b3120063f18671f) ***Enable Checklist** reveals **Checklist Items**. Groups such as **Wheels & tires** and **Safety** keep a long list easy to scan. A red star means the item is **Required**.* ## Add a checklist item **1. Click Add, then Checklist Item** In the **Checklist Items** header, click **Add**, then click **Checklist Item**. **Expected result:** An **Add Checklist Item** window opens. The helper text says **Search suggestions or create a custom checklist item**. **2. Enter Item Name** Type a short name in **Item Name**, or pick a suggestion such as **Exterior cleanliness**. Good names: **Tire pressure**, **Battery check**, **Lights & signals**. **Why this matters:** Staff see this name on the car. Keep it in everyday words, not shop codes. **3. Choose a Group (optional)** Open **Group** and pick an existing group, or type a new group name. Helpful groups: **Wheels & tires**, **Safety**, **Mechanical**, **Interior & comfort**. **4. Turn on Required when the item must be finished** **Required** means: **Must be completed before event can be finished**. Turn it on for safety and condition checks. Leave it off for nice-to-have reminders such as radio or interior cleanliness. **5. Add a Description if the name is not enough** When you create a custom name, a **Description** box appears. Use it for the how-to, not the title. Example for **Tire pressure**: "Check all four tires with a pressure gauge. Compare to the recommended PSI on the driver door sticker." **6. Save the item** Click **Done** (or the create button if you typed a new name). **Expected result:** The item appears in the list. Required items show a red star. The header shows a count such as **Total: 10 items, 4 groups**. ![Add Checklist Item window with Item Name search, Group optional, Required switch, and suggested items](https://mintcdn.com/carstoragesoftware/Y2uxZmzRWHSqQdJO/images/events/events-add-checklist-item-dialog-sep20.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=Y2uxZmzRWHSqQdJO\&q=85\&s=851257264f020195fdfe668a9bb02b98) *Search a suggested item or type your own **Item Name**. Use **Group** to keep related checks together. Turn on **Required** for anything that must be done before finish.* ## Add a group and keep the list tidy **1. Click Add, then Group** Use **Group** when you already know the section name and want an empty folder first. **2. Drag items into the right group** Use the six-dot handle on the left of a row to drag an item under a group. **Expected result:** Group headers show a count, such as **Wheels & tires (2 items)**. **3. Edit or remove a row** Use the pencil to change the name, group, required setting, or description. Use the trash can to remove a row. **Why this matters:** A short, current list gets used. A stale list gets skipped. > [!NOTE] > > **Start small.** Ten clear items in four groups is easier than thirty mixed items. Add more after the team has used the list for a week. > > **Required vs optional.** If everything is required, staff may rush. Reserve **Required** for the checks that protect the car or the facility. ## Test the checklist on a real visit Settings only build the list. Staff use it when they open the event. **1. Open Schedule** Go to [Schedule](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/schedule) and find an appointment that uses this event type. You can also start one from [Create event](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard). **2. Click Open Event** Open the appointment, then click **Open Event** (not only **Edit Event**). **Why this matters:** **Edit Event** changes the plan (time, notes). **Open Event** starts the walkthrough where the checklist lives. **3. Complete the checklist step** On the walkthrough you should see a **Checklist** step with **Overall Progress** and **Required items**. Groups appear as sections. Required rows say **Required** in red. **Expected result:** You cannot finish the event until every required box is checked. Optional items can stay unchecked. ![Internal Service walkthrough checklist showing Overall Progress, Required items, and grouped checks for Wheels and tires, Safety, and Mechanical](https://mintcdn.com/carstoragesoftware/zfkveby1fbxIBHBu/images/events/events-walkthrough-checklist-sep20.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=zfkveby1fbxIBHBu\&q=85\&s=35128aa8543549a08797a00b7a477f47) *Staff see the same groups and required items during **Open Event**. **Required items** must reach complete before the visit can be finished.* ## What success looks like * Every repeating inspection uses the same list—no one relies on memory. * Required safety items block finish until they are done. * New teammates can follow the descriptions without asking what “check the car” means. * The finished event keeps a record of what was checked. ## Troubleshooting > [!WARNING] > > **I do not see Enable Checklist** > > You may be in the guided **Set up** wizard instead of **Advanced**. Open the service from [Settings > Services & schedule](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/settings/events) and click **Advanced**. > [!WARNING] > > **Staff do not see the list on the event** > > Confirm **Enable Checklist** is on and at least one item exists. Then open the appointment with **Open Event**, not only **Edit Event**. If the event type was changed after the appointment was created, start a new test event. > [!TIP] > > **Staff can finish without checking anything** > > Turn **Required** on for the items that must be done. Optional items never block finish. > [!WARNING] > > **The list looks empty even though Enable Checklist is on** > > Click **Add** → **Checklist Item** and save at least one row. A switch with zero items does not help the floor team. ## What to do next Train technicians with [Run event workflow from Schedule](/docs/schedule/run-event-workflow-from-schedule.md). If finishing this event should also count toward a recurring care plan, see [Set up service plans](/docs/events/set-up-service-plans.md). The service-plans step can map a checklist row to a plan check. If staff also need progress labels such as **In the bay** or **Waiting on parts**, continue with [Turn on custom statuses for an event type](/docs/events/turn-on-custom-statuses-for-an-event-type.md). When the list works on one test car, run [Test an event setup](/docs/events/test-an-event-setup.md) before you ask the whole team to use it. This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.