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Using PackLock

PackLock places a native Shopify fulfilment Hold on physical shipping orders. A completed Pack Check releases that Hold.

Complete a Pack Check

  1. Open PackLock in Shopify admin or use the signed Station Link bookmarked on the packing device.
  2. Find the order number from the packing slip.
  3. Read the order note and Tick each line after putting its full displayed quantity in the box.
  4. Select Complete and release. The order becomes fulfilable again.

Where did held orders go?

A held order leaves Shopify's Unfulfilled list. Shopify bulk label purchase may say it "doesn't have items that need fulfillment" or silently omit it from a mixed selection. This is the Hold working, not missing inventory.

Complete the Pack Check before buying a label or creating the fulfilment. Connected label apps may list the order as On Hold or omit it until release.

Release a Hold without a Pack Check

A merchant can Override PackLock at any time:

  1. Open the order in Shopify admin.
  2. Open its On hold section.
  3. Select Release hold and confirm.

PackLock records the Override and does not place the same Hold again.

Order edits

If physical line items change after a Pack Check but before fulfilment, the old check is stale. PackLock places a fresh Hold and shows a re-check warning. Ticks do not carry across an edit.

Order coverage

PackLock guards newly routed physical shipping orders while it is installed. Its recovery sweep checks open orders created during the current installation within Shopify's standard 60-day order-access window. Orders from before the current installation are not retroactively held, except that PackLock recovers or releases its own surviving Holds after a reinstall.

Station Link access

The Station Link is a long-lived credential intended for a bench phone or tablet. It exposes order numbers, items, variants, quantities, and notes, but not customer names or addresses. Regenerating the link in Settings revokes the previous address immediately. Uninstalling and reinstalling PackLock also rotates the credential.

Pause and uninstall

Pause stops new Holds but leaves existing Holds in place. Before uninstalling, use Pause and release all PackLock Holds. See the offboarding guide for recovery steps after uninstall.

Barcode shortcut for packing slips

PackLock does not require scanning. Merchants who already use a camera or scanner can add a Code 39 order-number barcode to Shopify's packing slip template using:

*{{ order.order_number }}*

The packing device still needs a Code 39 font installed or hosted in Shopify Files. Typing the order number always works.