Customer intake & shop workflow

From symptom
to pickup

Mechanic OS is the front-of-house workspace for independent shops — guided customer intake, advisor review, a branded portal, and a clean handoff to the bay. One flow, from the first message to keys in hand.

mechanic os · intake

Open intake

2019 Honda Civic · EX

Needs review

Reported symptom

Rough idle on cold starts, slight vibration at stoplights. Started ~2 weeks ago.

Customer photos

Front
Dash
Engine
Needs review3Tech work2Waiting on customer

Work authorized

Brake pads + rotors · $470

Via customer portal · 2m ago

AI intake summary

Draft work order ready

JP

“When can I pick up?”

Portal message · unread

Scroll

How it works

From first symptom
to keys in hand

The full job lifecycle in one thread — from the customer's first message to keys back in their hand. Your existing shop system stays where it is.

01

Customer submits intake

Symptoms, photos, and vehicle details arrive before the phone rings.

02

Advisor reviews & approves

AI drafts the summary — your team stays in control of every job.

03

Estimate goes to portal

Customers authorize work in one branded link, no back-and-forth texts.

04

Technician takes the bay

Inspection notes, outcomes, and handoff — all in one thread.

05

Pickup-ready notification

Customer gets a clear update when the car is ready to go.

The problem

The front counter is where
jobs win or lose

Most shop software starts at the advisor desk. Mechanic OS starts where your customer does.

Without a system

  • Voicemails with half the story
  • Customers calling "what's the status?"
  • Symptoms scribbled on a sticky note
  • Estimate approvals lost in text threads

With Mechanic OS

  • Customers submit symptoms, photos, and VIN before you call back
  • One branded portal link for status, estimates, and work authorization
  • Advisor-reviewed intake summaries — not auto-generated quotes
  • Counter → advisor → bay → pickup in one connected thread

01 — Intake

Guided customer intake

A branded intake link captures symptoms, photos, OBD codes, and vehicle details — so the job is structured before your advisor ever opens it.

mechanic-os · intake
Step 2 of 5 · Symptoms
Rough idle on cold start
3 photos · VIN captured

02 — Review

Advisor-reviewed summaries

AI drafts intake notes and work-order text from what the customer reported. Your team reviews and approves every word before it moves forward.

mechanic-os · summary
AI draft ready
Work order · pending review
Advisor review required

03 — Portal

Branded customer portal

Stop playing phone tag. Customers check status, review estimates, authorize work, and pay through one link — not another inbox thread.

mechanic-os · portal
Work authorized · $470
Status: in the bay
Message · when can I pick up?

04 — Handoff

Counter-to-bay handoff

Authorized work moves to the technician with inspection notes, outcomes, and pickup-ready notifications — all tied to the same job.

mechanic-os · bay
Assigned · Bay 3
Inspection complete
Pickup-ready sent

FAQ

Common questions

What is Mechanic OS?

Mechanic OS is customer intake and shop workflow software. It handles the front-of-house job — guided intake, advisor review, customer portal updates, and technician handoff — in one workspace from first symptom to pickup.

Who is Mechanic OS built for?

Mechanic OS is built for independent repair shops that want fewer voicemails, clearer customer communication, and a structured handoff from the front counter to the bay.

Do I need to replace my shop management system?

No. Mechanic OS works alongside the shop system you already run. It owns customer intake, portal communication, and job workflow — not your ROs, parts catalog, or accounting.

Is this AI that writes my estimates?

No. Mechanic OS structures customer-reported symptoms into intake summaries and draft work orders for advisor review. Your team builds and sends estimates; customers approve them through a branded portal link.

How do I get access to Mechanic OS?

Mechanic OS is available to approved shops. Request access through our team or sign in with a Clerk invitation and signup code sent to your shop.

Does Mechanic OS replace my service advisors?

No. AI organizes reported symptoms into draft summaries for human review. Advisors stay in control of every estimate, customer message, and bay handoff.

Get started

Fix the
front counter

Mechanic OS is customer intake and shop workflow — available to approved independent shops. Request access or sign in with your invitation.

  • Branded intake link for every customer
  • Advisor-reviewed summaries — not auto-quotes
  • Portal for status, estimates, and work authorization
  • Works alongside your shop management system
Mechanic OS — Customer Intake & Shop Workflow for Repair Shops