KDS Overview
Understanding the Kitchen Display System
- What is the KDS?
- Interface Layout
- Real-Time Updates
- Order Cards
- Urgency Indicators
- Accessing the KDS
- Next Steps
What is the KDS?
The Kitchen Display System (KDS) replaces paper tickets in the kitchen. When an order is submitted from the POS or customer QR menu, it appears instantly on the KDS screen.
Interface Layout
The KDS uses a kanban board layout with three columns:
| Column | Description |
|---|---|
| New | Orders just received, waiting to be started |
| Preparing | Orders currently being made |
| Ready | Orders completed, waiting for pickup or serving |
Real-Time Updates
Orders appear on the KDS via WebSocket connections, meaning:
- No page refresh needed - orders appear instantly
- Multiple KDS screens - all update simultaneously
- Fallback polling - if WebSocket disconnects, polling takes over
Order Cards
Each order card shows:
- Order number
- Table number or order type (Takeaway/Delivery)
- Time since order was placed
- List of items with modifiers and special instructions
- Color-coded urgency indicator
Urgency Indicators
Orders change color based on how long they've been waiting:
| Color | Meaning |
|---|---|
| White | Within expected prep time |
| Yellow | Approaching expected prep time |
| Red | Over expected prep time |
Accessing the KDS
- Navigate to
/kdsor click KDS in the admin sidebar - Select your business location
- The KDS opens in full-screen mode
For best results, use a dedicated tablet or monitor mounted in the kitchen.
Next Steps
- Order Workflow - Moving orders through stages
- Audio Alerts - Configuring sound notifications