# Check-in/Check-out

The **Check-in/Check-out** feature lets you temporarily assign assets to staff or clients with an expected return date. Perfect for equipment loans, project-based use, or short-term assignments.

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## 📌 Check-out vs. Allocation

| Feature             | Check-out                                   | Allocation                   |
| ------------------- | ------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------- |
| **Duration**        | Temporary (has return date)                 | Long-term/permanent          |
| **Use Case**        | Laptops for travel, projectors for meetings | Assigned desk, company phone |
| **Overdue Alerts**  | ✅ Yes                                       | ❌ No                         |
| **Return Tracking** | ✅ Yes (condition, date)                     | Via Revocation               |

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## 1. 📍 Access Check-in/Check-out

**Navigation:** **Assets** → **Check-in/out** from the sidebar.

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## 2. 📤 Check Out an Asset

### Steps

1. Click **Check Out Asset** or **New Checkout**
2. Select **Asset** from the dropdown
3. Select **Checked Out To** (staff member or client/contact)
4. Enter **Quantity** (if multiple units)
5. Set **Expected Return Date** (recommended for overdue alerts)
6. Add **Checkout Notes** (optional) — e.g., "For conference in Berlin"
7. Select **Condition** (Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor) — default: Good
8. Click **Save**

### What Happens

* ✅ Asset's allocated quantity increases
* ✅ Checkout record is created with status `checked_out`
* ✅ Audit log entry is created
* ✅ Webhook `asset.checked_out` is triggered (if configured)
* ✅ If expected return date passes, status becomes `overdue` and notifications are sent (via cron)

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## 3. 📥 Check In an Asset

### Steps

1. Go to **Assets** → **Check-in/out**
2. Find the checkout record (filter by status: Checked Out or Overdue)
3. Click **Check In** or the check-in action
4. Optionally add **Check-in Notes**
5. Select **Return Condition** (Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor, Damaged)
6. Click **Save**

### What Happens

* ✅ Asset's allocated quantity decreases
* ✅ Checkout status changes to `returned`
* ✅ Actual return date is recorded
* ✅ Audit log and webhook `asset.checked_in` are triggered

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## 4. 🔔 Overdue Checkouts

When the **expected return date** has passed and the asset is not returned:

* Status automatically changes to **Overdue**
* **Cron job** sends notifications to configured recipients
* Webhook `alert.checkout_overdue` is triggered
* Dashboard shows **Overdue Checkouts** count

**Ensure your Perfex cron is running** for overdue alerts to work.

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## 5. 📊 Viewing Checkouts

In **Assets** → **Check-in/out** you can see:

| Column          | Description                    |
| --------------- | ------------------------------ |
| Asset           | Asset name and code            |
| Checked Out To  | Staff or client                |
| Checkout Date   | When it was checked out        |
| Expected Return | Due date                       |
| Status          | Checked Out, Returned, Overdue |
| Quantity        | Units checked out              |

Filter by status to find active or overdue checkouts quickly.

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## 💡 Best Practices

* ✅ **Always set expected return date** for better tracking
* ✅ **Record condition** at check-in to spot damage trends
* ✅ **Use notes** for project or purpose
* ✅ **Run overdue report** regularly to follow up
* ✅ **Configure notifications** so overdue items don't slip through