Help › Kitchen Display, Captain & Token Counter
Using the Kitchen Display System (KDS), the Captain ordering app, and the Token Counter display in RoyalPOS, and connecting them to the main POS over the local network (LAN/WiFi).
The Kitchen Display System (KDS) shows incoming orders on a screen in the kitchen instead of (or in addition to) printing paper KOTs. Kitchen staff see each order's items and update them through stages — pending, in process, and ready — so the floor and counter stay in sync.
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On the RoyalPOS dashboard choose the Kitchen option (available for restaurant outlets). The device then runs as a kitchen screen and shows orders sent from the main POS. A dedicated kitchen device stays on this screen during service.
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The main POS device acts as the server and the kitchen screen connects to it over the same WiFi/LAN using the POS device's IP address and port. Once connected, orders placed on the POS appear on the kitchen screen in real time.
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All devices (POS, KDS, captain, token counter) must be on the same local network.
On the kitchen screen, open the Join Server dialog, enter the POS device's IP address and port, and tap connect. You can also use the Search option to scan the local network and detect the POS automatically.
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The POS device's IP is shown on the POS where the server is started (printer/kitchen server settings show the device IP and port). You can also check the device's WiFi settings for its IP address, then enter that IP on the kitchen/captain/token-counter device.
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Orders move through stages on the KDS: Pending (new, not started), In Process (being prepared after the kitchen accepts the items), and Ready/History (prepared/served). Staff advance an order from one stage to the next as they cook.
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On a pending order, tap Accept (All Accept for the whole order, or accept an individual item). The order moves into the In Process stage so everyone can see it is being prepared.
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On an order in the In Process stage, tap the Food Ready button. The order's items are marked ready and the update is broadcast to the POS and any token counter, so the counter knows the order can be served or collected.
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Use the All Served / Served action on the order card to mark items as served once they have been handed over. Served orders move into history.
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Yes. RoyalPOS plays an alert sound on the kitchen screen when a new order arrives so staff notice it without watching the screen. Keep the device volume up.
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Yes. The kitchen screen keeps a live connection to the POS and automatically reconnects if the WiFi briefly drops or the app is resumed from the background, so you don't have to re-join the server manually each time.
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A kitchen printer prints a paper KOT ticket for each order; the KDS shows the same orders on a screen instead, with live status updates and no paper. You can use one or both — many outlets use the KDS for visibility and still print a KOT for record.
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Yes. Multiple kitchen screens can connect to the same POS over the LAN. Each connects with the POS IP and port and receives the live orders, so you can have separate screens for, say, the kitchen and the bar.
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The Captain app lets waiters/stewards take dine-in orders at the table on a handheld device. It connects to the main POS over the LAN; orders punched on the captain device go straight to the POS and the kitchen.
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On the Captain device, enter the POS device's IP address and port (or use search) to connect over the same WiFi/LAN. Once connected, the captain can view tables and punch orders that sync to the POS.
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The Token Counter is a customer-facing screen that shows order token numbers and their status — typically which tokens are being prepared and which are ready for pickup. It connects to the POS over the LAN and updates live as the kitchen progresses orders.
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On the Token Counter device enter the POS device's IP address and port over the same WiFi/LAN. Make sure the Token Counter option is enabled on the POS so it broadcasts order data to the counter.
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The Token Counter shows two groups: tokens that are still Preparing and tokens that are Ready. When the kitchen marks an order Food Ready, its token moves from Preparing to Ready so customers know to collect it. It shows recent orders only (older orders drop off automatically).
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Check that the kitchen device and POS are on the same WiFi/LAN, that the correct POS IP and port were entered, and that the connection shows connected. Re-join the server if needed. A firewall or antivirus on the POS device can block the connection — allow RoyalPOS through it.
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The Token Counter shows only recent orders (the last few hours); older ones drop off automatically. If it shows stale data, confirm it is still connected to the POS and that the Token Counter option is enabled on the POS. Reconnecting refreshes the list.
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