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

# Creating and Dispatching Loads

> Configure, create, and dispatch loads including linking sales orders, managing load drops, and assigning pallets.

## Creating and Dispatching Loads

This guide walks you through the full process of creating and dispatching loads, from pre-configuration to final dispatch.

## Phase 1: Pre-Configuration

Before creating your first load, ensure the following elements are configured in **Settings**:

* **Warehouses**: Select a default **Goods Out** and **Goods In** Bay.
* **Vehicles**: Create a **Trailer** and its corresponding **Trailer Type**.
* **Carriers**: Ensure a carrier profile is active.
* **Locations**: You must have at least one location designated with the **"Bay"** location type.
* **Addresses**: Ensure you have the necessary **Delivery Addresses** saved.

***

## Phase 2: Creating the Load

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create a new load">
    Navigate to **Goods Out** > **Loads** > **New**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Fill in load details">
    Enter the Carrier, Trailer/Trailer Type, Warehouse, and Bay.

    **Optional settings:**

    * Toggle **Enforce Matching Load Drops** to restrict loading to matching addresses or order references.
    * Select a **Trunking Warehouse** for inter-warehouse transfers.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save the load">
    Click **Save & Edit**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Phase 3: Linking Sales Orders

To add items to your load, they must be flagged correctly:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create a sales order">
    Set the **Dispatch Strategy** to **"Load"**.

    <Tip>You can set "Load" as the default strategy in your account settings to skip this step in the future.</Tip>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Process the order">
    Generate the pick list and complete all pick tasks.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Attach to load">
    Return to your load and ensure the status is set to **"Open"** (click **Open Load** in the top right if needed).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add the order">
    Under the **Add Sales Order** tab, search for your reference and click **Add**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add the address">
    Use the **Add Delivery Address** tab to link the destination.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Phase 4: Finalising and Dispatch

Both the sales order and address will now appear under **Load Drops**.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Assign pallets">
    On the sales order load drop, click **Open** > **Manage Tasks**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Complete tasks">
    Select your pallets and choose **Assign** (to link them) or **Assign and Complete** (to link and finalise immediately).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Close drops">
    Once tasks are finished, close the load drop for the sales order, then open and close the load drop for the delivery address.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Dispatch">
    Click **Close Load** in the top right. Once closed, click **Dispatch** to finalise the process.
  </Step>
</Steps>