Odoo Multi-Step Routes Configuration: Pick, Pack, Ship Guide 2026

What Are Multi-Step Routes in Odoo?

A route in Odoo defines the path a product takes through your warehouse. A simple route might be "Receive into Stock, then Ship to Customer." A multi-step route adds intermediate steps: "Receive into Input Location, move to Quality Check, then Stock, then Ship."

Routes are built from rules. Each rule specifies a source location, a destination location, and an action (pull, push, or buy). When Odoo processes a delivery order, it evaluates the applicable rules and generates the necessary transfers automatically.

For a 3-step delivery (Pick + Pack + Ship), Odoo creates three transfers:

• Pick: Move goods from Shelf to Packing Zone
• Pack: Move goods from Packing Zone to Output
• Ship: Move goods from Output to Customer

Each transfer appears as a separate delivery order in the Inventory app, allowing different teams to work on different stages simultaneously.

Step 1: Enable Multi-Step Routes

Before configuring routes, you must enable the feature in Odoo settings.

1. Navigate to Inventory app, then Configuration and Settings
2. Find the Warehouse section and check Multi-Step Routes
3. Also enable Storage Locations if not already active
4. Click Save

Once enabled, you will see new fields appear on product forms, warehouse configurations, and operation types. The setting unlocks the Routes tab on product templates and the route configuration menu under Configuration.

Note: If you do not see the route options on products after enabling the setting, verify that the product type is set to "Storable Product." Routes do not apply to consumable or service products.

Step 2: Configure Your Warehouse Operations

Odoo ships with pre-built 3-step delivery routes, but you need to verify your warehouse is configured to use them.

1. Go to Inventory, Configuration, Warehouses
2. Open your warehouse and check the Delivery Steps field
3. Select "Pick + Pack + Ship (3 steps)" from the dropdown
4. Save the warehouse configuration

When you select the 3-step option, Odoo automatically creates the necessary operation types (Pick, Pack, Ship) and configures the internal locations (Input, Output, Packing Zone). You can review these under Inventory, Configuration, Operation Types.

Each operation type has its own sequence, responsible team, and picking type. Make sure the sequence numbers are logical so transfers appear in the correct order on the dashboard.

Step 3: Assign Routes to Products

Even with the warehouse configured, products must have the correct route selected to trigger multi-step transfers.

1. Open a product form in the Inventory or Products app
2. Go to the Inventory tab
3. Find the Routes section
4. Check the "Pick/Pack/Ship" route
5. Save the product

You can assign routes at the product category level for bulk assignment. Go to Configuration, Product Categories, select a category, and set the routes on the Inventory tab. All products in that category will inherit the route.

Important: Routes are additive. A product can have multiple routes selected (e.g., Buy + Pick/Pack/Ship). Odoo evaluates all applicable routes and selects the best matching rules based on the operation context.

Step 4: Understanding Push and Pull Rules

The engine behind multi-step routes is the push/pull rule system. Understanding how these work is critical for troubleshooting.

Pull rules are triggered when a product is needed at a destination location. Odoo creates a transfer to pull the product from the source. For example, when a sales order demands a product from the Customer location, a pull rule creates a delivery order from Output to Customer.

Push rules are triggered when a product arrives at a source location. Odoo creates a transfer to push the product to the next destination. For example, when goods arrive at the Packing Zone, a push rule moves them to Output.

You can view and edit rules under Inventory, Configuration, Routes. Each route lists its rules in evaluation order. The order matters: Odoo evaluates rules from top to bottom and stops at the first match.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Here are the most frequent problems with multi-step routes and how to fix them:

Intermediate Transfers Not Created

If only the final Ship transfer appears without Pick and Pack steps, check these items:

• Product route: Verify the Pick/Pack/Ship route is checked on the product form
• Warehouse steps: Confirm Delivery Steps is set to 3 steps, not 1
• Route active: Check that the route is marked as active in Configuration, Routes
• Product type: Ensure the product type is "Storable Product"

Transfers Created but Stuck in Waiting

If Pick and Pack transfers exist but remain in "Waiting Another Operation" state:

• Check reservations: Verify stock is available in the source location
• Review availability: Use the "Check Availability" button to force reservation
• Trace the chain: Open the parent transfer and verify all child transfers are confirmed

Wrong Operation Types Generated

If transfers use incorrect operation types:

• Review warehouse rules: Check Inventory, Configuration, Rules for conflicts
• Rule order: Move the correct rule higher in the evaluation order
• Company scope: In multi-company setups, verify the rule applies to the correct company

Advanced: Creating Custom Routes

Beyond the built-in routes, you can create custom routes for specialized workflows like quality control, cross-docking, or multi-warehouse transfers.

To create a custom route:

1. Go to Inventory, Configuration, Routes
2. Click Create and give the route a name
3. Set the applicable scope: Warehouse, Product Category, or Product
4. Add rules: In the Rules tab, define each step with source, destination, and action
5. Save and assign the route to relevant products

For a quality check workflow, add an extra step between Receive and Stock that routes goods to a QC location. The push rule at the Input location triggers the QC transfer, and a second push rule moves approved goods to Stock.

Frequently Asked Questions

References

• Odoo Tutorial: Setting Up Inventory Routes in Odoo 17
• Three-Step Delivery - Odoo 18.0 Documentation
• Routes and Push/Pull Rules - Odoo Documentation
• Push and Pull Rules in Odoo Inventory Module
• 3-Step Manufacturing in Odoo 18 - Braincuber