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

# Set Up and Manage Inventory Reorder Alerts in InventoryHQ

> Set minimum stock thresholds in InventoryHQ and get automatic dashboard and mobile alerts before critical roofing materials run out on the job.

Running out of pipe flashing mid-job or discovering you're short on coil nails the morning of a big installation is an avoidable problem. InventoryHQ's reorder alerts watch your stock levels around the clock and notify you the moment any item drops to or below the minimum quantity you set — giving you time to reorder before it becomes an emergency.

## How Reorder Alerts Work

Every inventory item in InventoryHQ has a **minimum threshold** — a quantity you define that represents your reorder point. When an item's stock level reaches or falls below that number, InventoryHQ automatically triggers an alert. You don't need to check the dashboard manually; the system does the watching for you.

Alerts are delivered in two ways:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Dashboard Notification" icon="bell" href="/inventory/reorder-alerts">
    A notification badge appears on the **Inventory** section in the main navigation. The alerts panel shows each low-stock item, its current quantity, and its minimum threshold side by side.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Mobile Push Notification" icon="mobile" href="/inventory/reorder-alerts">
    If you have the InventoryHQ mobile app installed and push notifications enabled, a push alert is sent to your device. Tap the notification to jump directly to the low-stock item.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Note>
  Push notifications must be enabled on your device and in your InventoryHQ notification settings. Go to **Settings → Notifications** to confirm mobile alerts are turned on for your account.
</Note>

## Set a Minimum Threshold for an Item

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to the item">
    From the **Inventory** dashboard, find the item you want to configure. Click the item row to open its detail view.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Edit">
    Select the **Edit** button (pencil icon) in the item detail panel.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter a Minimum Threshold">
    Locate the **Minimum Threshold** field and enter the quantity at which you want to be alerted. For example, entering `10` means you'll receive an alert when stock drops to 10 units or fewer.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save the item">
    Click **Save Changes**. The threshold is active immediately — InventoryHQ begins monitoring that item's quantity against your new minimum.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  You can also set the minimum threshold when you first create an item. See [Adding Items](/inventory/adding-items) for the full item creation workflow.
</Tip>

## Respond to a Reorder Alert

When an alert fires, here's how to act on it quickly:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Alerts panel">
    Click the notification badge on the **Inventory** section in the sidebar, or tap the push notification on mobile. The alerts panel lists every item currently at or below its threshold.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review the low-stock item">
    Click any item in the alert list to open its detail view. You'll see the current quantity, minimum threshold, location, unit cost, and recent usage history — everything you need to decide how much to reorder.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Place your reorder">
    Contact your supplier or create a purchase order through your procurement process. Once the new stock arrives, use a **Manual Stock Adjustment** (Add Stock) to update the quantity in InventoryHQ and clear the alert automatically.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  An alert clears on its own as soon as the item's quantity rises above its minimum threshold — no manual dismissal required.
</Info>

## Best Practices for Setting Thresholds

Getting your thresholds right means fewer stockouts without tying up unnecessary cash in excess inventory. Use these guidelines as a starting point:

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Factor in your supplier lead time">
    Think about how long it takes to receive a reorder from your supplier. If pipe flashing typically takes five business days to arrive and your crew uses roughly 20 units per day, your minimum threshold should be at least 100 units — enough to cover demand during the reorder window.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Account for job size and seasonality">
    A threshold that works in January may leave you dangerously low during peak summer roofing season. Higher job volume means faster material consumption. Set thresholds higher during your busy season and revisit them as conditions change.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Set tighter thresholds for critical items">
    Some materials — safety harnesses, primary flashing, underlayment — will stop a job completely if they run out. Give these items a more conservative (higher) minimum threshold so you have more lead time to restock.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Use usage history as your guide">
    After a few months of tracking in InventoryHQ, review each item's consumption trends in the item detail view. Let your actual usage data drive threshold decisions rather than estimates.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  Review all of your minimum thresholds at the start of each season — especially before spring and fall when roofing demand typically shifts. A quick audit twice a year keeps your alerts meaningful and prevents both stockouts and overstocking.
</Tip>