# Routes

A **route** is the planned sequence of lot operations for an item or item class. It's a guide, not a lock: your screens and scripts decide how strictly to follow it. **Route events** record what actually happened, so you can compare plan and actual.

:::action[Create a route]

1. Navigate to **Configuration → Ops → Lot Configuration**, open the **Routes** tab, and add a route named `Hardened Coupling Pin` for the item `CP-2024-HRD`, and enable it.
2. Add the steps, numbering them in tens so you can insert steps later:

   | Step | Operation | Description |
   |---|---|---|
   | `10` | `Machine` | Machine raw aluminum into WIP |
   | `20` | `Coat` | Apply coating blend to machined part |
   | `30` | `Inspect` | Inspect coated parts |
   | `40` | `Pack` | Pack passed parts into finished goods |

3. Optionally, give step `10` parameters that a custom screen could read:

   ```json
   {"defaultAssetPath": "CoreForge\\Philadelphia\\Machining\\Machine 1", "requiredInputClass": "CoreForge\\RM", "requiredOutputClass": "CoreForge\\WIP\\Machined"}
   ```

:::

Step parameters are free-form JSON. Kanoa stores them; your screens and scripts decide what they mean.

::embed-section{src="../../../kanoa-trace/lot-management.md#lot-routing" collapsed="true" summary="Reference Materials: Lot Routing"}