# Picking orders URL: https://support.starshipit.com/articles/14700000000011-picking-orders Canonical: https://support.starshipit.com/articles/14700000000011-picking-orders Markdown: https://support.starshipit.com/articles/14700000000011-picking-orders.md Updated: 2026-05-25 > For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.starshipit.com/llms.txt). > Work single-order, batch, and tote pick jobs from the Starshipit WMS desktop interface using barcode scanning or manual confirmation. **Picking** is the process of collecting stock from warehouse locations for a released order. Before picking can begin, an order must be released and stock allocated — WMS then creates one or more pick jobs that tell your team exactly what to collect, from which location, and in what quantity. This guide covers: * How pick jobs are created and what they contain * Working single-order pick jobs * Batch pick jobs (multiple orders in one run) * Tote-based picking * Handling short picks and discrepancies * Mobile picking See [Orders and allocation](starshipit-wms-orders-and-allocation) for how to release orders and trigger pick job creation. ## The picking dashboard The **Picking dashboard** lists all active pick jobs. For each job you can see: * Job ID or Batch Pick ID * Type (single order or batch) * Status (Pending/Ready, In Progress, Completed) * Number of orders and lines in the job Pickers select a job, review what is required, and then walk the warehouse to collect items. ## Shared picking interface All pick types — single order, batch, tote, putaway, replenishment, and kitting — use the same picking interface: * **Barcode scanning** to confirm picks * **Unit of Measure support** — quantities respect any parent/child UoM configuration on the product * **Scan history** — a log of all scans made during the session * **+/− buttons** for manual quantity adjustment when scanning is not possible * **Mark complete** to finish an individual pick line This consistency means your team works the same way regardless of job type. ## Pick mode and equipment locking When a picker starts a job, WMS locks that job to the selected pick mode and equipment context. For example, a tote pick must continue as a tote pick, and work assigned to a specific trolley, cart, or set of totes must continue with that same equipment. This prevents stock from being picked into the wrong equipment or mixed with another job. If a picker opens the wrong mode or equipment by mistake, exit the job and restart from the correct option before recording picks. ## Single-order picking One pick job corresponds to one order. WMS has already allocated specific stock in specific locations (and batch/serial where applicable). ### Working a single-order pick job 1. Select a job from the **Picking dashboard**. 2. Review the **picking list**: * SKU and description * Quantity to pick * Source location * Batch or serial information (if applicable) 3. Walk the warehouse and collect items from each location. 4. Scan or confirm each item as you pick it. 5. Place items into your equipment (trolley, tote) or directly into an order container. 6. Mark the job as **Completed** once all lines are done. As items are picked: * Allocations update from ALLOCATED to PICKED. * Stock reduces at the source location. * Stock moves into the picker's Equipment location (where configured). ### When an item cannot be found If stock is missing or less than expected: 1. Record the short pick (pick the quantity available). 2. WMS will flag the shortage. 3. You can then investigate via stocktake or adjustment, or partially ship the order and fulfil the rest when stock is available. ## Batch picking (multiple orders at once) **Batch picking** combines items for multiple orders into a single pick job, reducing warehouse travel. The picker walks the warehouse once and collects combined quantities, then the items are sorted to individual orders at the packing bench. ### Working a batch pick job 1. Select the batch job from the **Picking dashboard**. The job shows a **Batch Pick ID**. 2. Use the picking list — which shows combined quantities per SKU and location across all orders — to collect all items in one pass. 3. Place items into totes or compartments labelled per order, or sort at the packing bench. 4. Mark the batch job as **Completed** once all items are picked. Visual progress bars show completion at both the overall batch level and at the individual order level within the batch. You can remove or skip individual orders from a batch if needed — for example, if one order is cancelled mid-process. ## Tote picking Tote picking is a variant of batch picking where items are assigned to specific totes representing individual orders. This is especially useful for high-volume picking runs with many small orders. 1. Assign tote destinations at the start of the job. 2. Pick items and place each into the correct tote for that order. 3. Complete the tote pick transfer. After completion, orders flow through the normal downstream packing workflow. ## Stage pick recovery If a problem occurs during a staged pick (such as a network interruption), you can recover and resume from where you left off rather than starting the job over. ## Partial picking If you cannot complete a pick job in one pass — for example, some stock is not available yet — you can use **Partially Pick** or **Partially Stage** to record progress and continue later: 1. Open the pick job. 2. Scan and confirm the quantities you have picked so far. 3. Select **Partially Pick** or **Partially Stage**. These actions are only available after some progress has been recorded. If nothing has been picked yet, the standard full-action controls remain. ## Leaving or pausing a pick job If you need to leave a pick job before it is finished, WMS prompts you to choose how to handle the job: * **Leave the job open** — use this when you are stepping away briefly and the job can remain in progress. * **Pause the job** — enter a reason so supervisors can see why the job is blocked, such as missing stock, equipment changeover, or waiting for manager review. Use pausing when the issue needs follow-up from another team member. The pause reason helps managers prioritise work and understand why a job is not moving. ## Mobile picking Pick execution is supported in the **Starshipit WMS mobile app**, including: * Standard location-first picking with barcode scan and quantity confirmation * Tote picking with tote destination assignment * Staging picked items to the packing bench Mobile picking is ideal for floor-based teams who need fast, hands-free execution. > **Important:** Packing is not completed in the mobile app. Once picks are staged, packing continues in the standard WMS packing workflow. ## Next steps * [Mobile picking](/articles/starshipit-wms/mobile-app/starshipit-wms-mobile-picking) — handheld picking for floor-based teams. * [Packing and shipping orders](/articles/starshipit-wms/outbound-fulfilment/starshipit-wms-packing-and-shipping) — how to verify, box and ship picked orders. * [Expedited fulfilment](/articles/starshipit-wms/outbound-fulfilment/starshipit-wms-expedited-fulfilment-pack-now-batch-pack-now) — skip picking entirely for urgent orders with Pack Now.