> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.usetapp.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Start an order and build the basket

> Find sellable items, choose variations and build a Point of sale basket for the active shop.

Build the current shop's order in Point of sale, then submit it only when the basket is ready for payment.

## Who can do this?

The order APIs used by staff POS authorize **Owners, Managers and Staff** for the shop.

## Where to do it

Choose **Point of sale** in the Management Admin App. Confirm the active shop before adding anything.

## Build the basket

1. Use the category bar to show **All** or a specific category.
2. Search for an item by name when needed.
3. Select an item to add it directly. If it has choices or variations, open its details and select the required configuration before adding.
4. Repeat for more products. The cart groups and prices the selected lines.
5. Adjust quantities or remove a line from the cart when the guest changes the order.
6. Add an optional order note.
7. Review subtotal, discounts, VAT/tax and total before selecting **Continue to payment**.

The button remains inactive with an empty cart or no selected shop. Once continued, Tapp creates/submits the backend order and the payment selector owns the flow. Avoid double-clicking; the preparation state prevents duplicate create/submit requests.

Product actions are disabled while a payment surface is active so the submitted amount cannot change unnoticed. Return to the order explicitly if you need edits. A resumed Pay later Draft is reconciled under the existing order ID rather than silently creating another order.

## Platform notes

Management web and Management Native App use the same order API but have different layouts. An order opened from a live table can carry a table-session anchor into POS. Guest orders enter through a separate guest-authorized route and are not built in this staff cart.

## Market notes

The cart uses the shop currency and tax label. Item prices are tax-inclusive and each line contributes its configured VAT. Verify the shop after switching between a GB and German location.

## Troubleshooting

If **Continue to payment** is disabled, confirm that the basket contains at least one item and a shop is selected. After a preparation error, inspect the existing basket and order number before retrying so a duplicate order is not created.

## Related guides

* [Attach a guest or table](/en/point-of-sale/attach-guest-or-table)
* [Take payment](/en/point-of-sale/take-payment)