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

# Introduction

> Practical Batchlane documentation for operators, QA, setup teams, and implementers.

Batchlane is operating software for food production teams that have outgrown spreadsheets but still use QuickBooks as the accounting ledger. It connects [inventory lots](/inventory), [receiving](/receiving), [recipes](/recipes), [production runs](/production), [documents and QA](/documents-qa), [customer orders](/orders), [traceability](/traceability), [reports](/reports), and [QuickBooks handoff](/quickbooks-handoff) in one workspace.

These docs are written for operators, QA reviewers, implementation teams, support, and product collaborators. They explain what each surface does, what records are created, how workflows connect, and how to recover from common issues.

## Start with the operating model

If you are new to Batchlane, read these pages first:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="How Batchlane works" icon="route" href="/how-batchlane-works">
    Learn the core record flow from supplier receiving to shipment and accounting handoff.
  </Card>

  <Card title="System map" icon="diagram-project" href="/system-map">
    See how the major product areas connect and where each workflow starts.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Workspace surfaces" icon="layout-dashboard" href="/workspace-surfaces">
    Match app pages to the people and records they support.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Implementation checklist" icon="clipboard-check" href="/implementation-checklist">
    Bring a workspace online in a safe order before running live operations.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## What Batchlane owns

* Lot-level raw material, packaging, WIP, and finished goods inventory. See [Inventory](/inventory).
* Supplier lot receiving with expiry, cost, document, and audit context. See [Receiving](/receiving).
* Versioned formulas with ingredients, packaging, yield, units, and cost context. See [Recipes](/recipes).
* Production runs that consume input lots, create output lots, and capture QA signoff. See [Production](/production).
* Finished lot reservation, shipment, and customer traceability. See [Orders](/orders).
* Document review, COA follow-up, and audit evidence linked to source records. See [Documents and QA](/documents-qa).
* Reports for inventory value, expiry exposure, traceability, imports, exports, and QuickBooks handoff. See [Reports](/reports).

## What Batchlane does not own

* Batchlane does not replace QuickBooks as the accounting ledger. It prepares clean operational movement for [QuickBooks handoff](/quickbooks-handoff).
* Batchlane does not model payroll, HR, full MRP, EDI, or complex WMS flows.
* Batchlane does not treat documents as a separate file-folder process. Documents stay attached to lots, suppliers, runs, shipments, reports, or jobs.

## Common paths

* Setting up a new workspace: [Implementation checklist](/implementation-checklist), [Settings and roles](/settings-and-roles), [CSV imports](/imports), [Address book](/address-book).
* Running daily operations: [Workflow SOPs](/workflow-sops), [Receiving](/receiving), [Inventory](/inventory), [Production](/production), [Orders](/orders).
* QA and audit work: [Documents and QA](/documents-qa), [Traceability](/traceability), [Reports](/reports), [Common errors](/common-errors).
* Finance handoff: [Reports](/reports), [QuickBooks setup](/quickbooks-setup), [QuickBooks handoff](/quickbooks-handoff).