Build Kits let you define composite items — equipment that is assembled from smaller component pieces. The most common use case is tents: a "40x80" tent isn't a single inventory piece; it's built from 2x 40ft Ends and 2x 40ft Mids. Build Kits let the system automatically track component-level availability when you book a composite item.
How Build Kits Work
A Build Kit consists of:
- Component Items — the individual physical pieces you own (for example, "40ft End", "40ft Mid", "20ft End"). These have their own inventory counts.
- Composite Items — the "finished product" that customers rent (for example, "Tents 40x80"). These are defined by which components they require and in what quantities.
When a composite item like "Tents 40x80" is booked on an event, the system expands it into its components and deducts those from your component inventory.
Managing Components
Navigate to Inventory > Build Kits to manage your components.
Adding a Component
- Click Add Component.
- Enter a Category (for example, "Tent Components") and Name (for example, "40ft End").
- Set the Total — how many of this component you physically own.
- Click Save.
Components are managed separately from the regular rentable item list. The normal item picker excludes is_component = 1 rows, and components still participate in availability calculations.
Editing a Component
Click the edit icon to change a component's name, category, or total quantity.
Deleting a Component
You can only delete a component if it's not used in any composite item. If it's still referenced by a Build Kit, you'll need to remove it from those kits first.
Managing Composite Items (Build Kits)
Creating a Build Kit
- Click Add Build Kit.
- Enter the Category (for example, "Tents") and Name (for example, "40x80").
- Optionally set a Unit Price for quoting purposes.
- Add the components this kit requires, specifying the quantity of each.
- Click Save.
Editing a Build Kit
Click the edit icon to change a kit's name, price, or component configuration. You can add, remove, or change the quantity of components.
Deleting a Build Kit
Deleting a Build Kit removes the composite item and its component relationships. Existing events that reference this item will still show it, but it won't be available for future bookings.
Availability Calculation
The availability view shows composite items with their calculated availability based on component stock:
- For each component in the kit, the system calculates how many kits you could build:
floor(component_stock / quantity_required). - The kit's available count is the minimum across all its components.
- The limiting component is identified so you can see what's constraining your supply.
Example
If you have:
- 6x "40ft End" in stock
- 4x "40ft Mid" in stock
And a "40x80" tent requires 2x Ends + 2x Mids:
- From Ends: floor(6/2) = 3 possible
- From Mids: floor(4/2) = 2 possible
- Available: 2 (limited by 40ft Mids)
Gotchas
- Components are hidden from quotes: Component items (
is_component = 1) don't appear in the regular inventory list or the quote builder. They're only visible in the Build Kits management section and in availability tracking. If you need to quote individual components, create them as regular inventory items instead. - Composite availability is calculated, not stored: The "total" field on a composite item is always 0. Availability is calculated on-the-fly from component stock. Don't try to manually set a total on a composite item — it will be ignored.
- Events expand composites for availability: When an event includes a composite item like "40x80", the availability system expands it into its components. This means booking one "40x80" reduces your "40ft End" count by 2 and your "40ft Mid" count by 2.
- Shared components across kits: If multiple Build Kits share the same component, booking one affects the availability of the other. Plan your component inventory accordingly.
- Cannot delete components in use: The system prevents you from deleting a component that's referenced by any Build Kit. Remove it from all kits first.