Staff Join Codes & Device Authentication
Generate secure, single-use 6-character Join Codes for kitchen tablets and waiter smartphones without passwords.
How It Works
Passwordless Architecture: Shift employees do not manage individual passwords or account credentials. All authentication is verified through temporary Join Codes.
Code Format & Safety: Codes are 6-character alphanumeric strings prefixed with "MNT-" (e.g. MNT-K8P2Q4). MintLight intentionally excludes easily confused characters (0, 1, I, O) to prevent typing mistakes on small tablet keyboards.
Strict 60-Minute Lifespan: Unused Join Codes expire automatically 60 minutes after generation. If a code is not linked within the hour, it becomes invalid and a new code must be issued.
Single-Use Guard: Once a Join Code is redeemed on a phone or tablet, MintLight marks it consumed (is_used = true). The code cannot be used again on any other device.
Automatic Role Redirection: The moment authentication finishes, MintLight reads the assigned role and redirects automatically: Kitchen staff go to /staff/kds, Waiters go to /staff/waiter, and Managers go to /manager/orders.
What You Need to Do (Step-by-Step)
- 1. Open Staff & Roles in Dashboard
Navigate to Dashboard -> Staff & Roles. The page displays your active staff roster and plan limit indicators.
- 2. Generate Role-Specific Join Code
Click "+ Add Staff Member". Select the desired role (e.g. Waiter or Kitchen) and click "Generate Join Code".
- 3. Provide Code to Staff Member
MintLight presents the 6-character code (e.g. MNT-K8P2Q4). Inform the staff member to link their device within 60 minutes.
- 4. Open /staff on Staff Device
On the staff smartphone or kitchen tablet browser, open https://mintlight.com/staff. Sign in with Google or Email.
- 5. Enter Name & Redeem Join Code
Staff member types their Full Name, Phone Number, and the 6-character code. Tapping "Link Device" connects immediately.
Key Screen Controls & Options
Action: Allows selecting the target staff role (Waiter or Kitchen) to generate a unique code.
Action: Determines the operational permissions and destination route for the device.
Action: Provides a clean 4-step wizard: sign in, enter name, type join code, and begin work.
- Kitchen tablets route to /staff/kds with live incoming tickets.
- Waiter phones route to /staff/waiter with active dining table grids.
- The manager dashboard logs a "code_used" event with IP address and timestamp.
- Each Join Code can only be used once. Attempting to use the same code on two devices returns "Code already used".
- Restaurant Owners cannot link their email as staff; owners manage tenancy at /auth.
- Staff limits are strictly enforced by subscription tier. If your plan limit is reached, upgrading or removing an inactive account is required.
⚡ Common Floor Scenarios & Edge Cases
What to do: The code will display "Code expired". Open Staff & Roles and generate a fresh code in 5 seconds.
What to do: Link the tablet once using a single Kitchen Join Code named "Kitchen Line". All cooks can operate the same KDS screen simultaneously.
📋 Real-World Shift Walkthrough
New server Maya arrives for Saturday shift. Manager Priya opens Staff & Roles on her phone, clicks "+ Add Staff", picks "Waiter", and reads out "MNT-9X2K7P". Maya visits mintlight.com/staff on her iPhone, signs in with Google, enters her name "Maya" and the code. Within 15 seconds, Maya’s phone loads the Waiter Floor Portal and she is ready to take orders at Table 1.