Articles in this section

How to Pick Waves in ShipHero

Updated

Wave Picking fulfills many orders in a single cart trip, with one SKU assigned to each tote. The ShipHero mobile app and Pick-to-Light hardware guide you location by location, telling you exactly what to pick and which tote to place it in.

Before You Begin

  • Configuration requirements: Your default order status, and order tag if your warehouse uses one, must match an active wave rule before Wave Picking appears on your mobile dashboard. Contact your warehouse manager if you don't see the Wave Picking option. Your picking cart must also have the ShipHero Pick-to-Light Kit installed.
  • Software requirements: ShipHero Mobile App v2.13.13 or higher on your mobile device, and Pick-to-Light controllers running firmware v1.5 or higher.

For setup and configuration, see How to Set Up Waves in ShipHero.

Table of Contents

How to Start a Wave Pick in ShipHero

  1. Sign in to the ShipHero Mobile App.
  2. From the dashboard, select Wave Picking.
  3. Find the QR code placard on your cart and scan it with a hand scanner.

The app connects to the cart's Pick-to-Light hub, verifies the firmware version, and confirms the cart isn't already in use.

Select Waves Scan the cart's QR code Confirm lights are working

Cart Already in Use

If the cart is already assigned to another picker, the app tells you which picker has it. Tap Cancel and scan a different cart's QR code.

Firmware Below v1.5

If the cart's controller firmware is below v1.5, the app prompts you to update it or choose a different cart. Contact your supervisor before proceeding.

A cart runs one batch at a time, Wave or MIB. Each wave is locked to the picker who started it: if you pause mid-wave, only you can resume it on that cart.

How to Follow the Wave Picking Path in ShipHero

Once the cart is connected, the app loads the wave and routes you to the first location. Repeat these steps for each pick.

  1. Walk to the location shown on the iPad.
  2. Scan the location barcode at the bin.
  3. Scan the SKU barcode of the item.
  4. Look at your cart: Pick-to-Light lights the destination tote in orange with the quantity to place.
  5. Place the requested quantity into the lit tote.
  6. Scan the tote barcode to confirm.
Scan location Item scan, single pick Item pick confirmed Scan the tote Tote scan confirmed

When your warehouse is mapped, the app highlights your next location on a map instead of showing just the location code. A location or SKU scan that doesn't match shows an error until you scan the right one, and confirming the tote turns off the light and moves you to the next stop.

Multi-Tote Picks in Wave Picking

When a SKU's quantity exceeds what one tote holds, ShipHero splits the pick across multiple totes automatically.

  1. Check the total quantity shown for the SKU (for example, "Pick 30 units of SKU-12345").
  2. Place the quantity shown for the lit tote, then scan it to confirm.
  3. Repeat as ShipHero lights each remaining tote, until the full quantity is placed.
Multi-tote pick, next tote Multi-tote pick in progress Multi-tote pick confirmed

Each partial pick is recorded separately so ShipHero tracks which units came from which location and went into which tote.

Handling Picking Exceptions During Wave Picking in ShipHero

Use this table to resolve common exceptions without leaving the picking flow.

Issue Cause Resolution
SKU is missing, damaged, or unpickable Item not at location or not in sellable condition. Tap Report Issue and select the issue type (Missing units, Damaged items, or Barcodes are not scannable). ShipHero marks the location as Hospital, excludes it from future waves until resolved, and records a short pick.
Tote is physically full but units remain More units required than the tote can hold. Tap Picking Issue and select Tote is full. ShipHero records a short pick and moves on. One SKU per tote is always preserved; overflow never spills into another tote.
SKU barcode won't scan Barcode is damaged or unreadable. Tap Can't scan SKU and enter the SKU manually. Requires the Pick Manually permission; without it, the line routes through the missing/damaged item flow instead.
Location barcode won't scan Location barcode is damaged or unreadable. Tap Can't scan location, confirm the location manually, and proceed to scan the SKU.
Pick-to-Light disconnects mid-wave App was backgrounded or connection dropped. Reopen the app and rescan the cart's QR code to resume. If lights don't restore, scan any tote to force a resync. If that fails, contact your supervisor to release and reassign the wave.
Report Issue (Hospital flow) Wrong location scanned Wrong product scanned

How to Return the Cart After Wave Picking

When the wave is fully picked, the app prompts you to return the cart to a designated parking spot.

  1. Walk the cart to a designated parking spot.
  2. Scan the parking-spot barcode.

The app shows a completion summary and returns you to the dashboard. The cart is now ready to move to a pack station.

Wave complete Summary, items skipped Summary, completed

More Resources

  • ShipHero Public API

    Connect your tools and AI agents directly to ShipHero with the Public API. Build powerful integrations, automate workflows, and tap into real-time data using the AI tools you prefer, with the option for secure, read-only access for AI-driven insights without added risk.

  • ShipHero Academy

    Explore ShipHero Academy for certifications, deep-dive training, and expert-led courses on WMS and fulfillment. Build your expertise and help your team operate at a higher level.

  • Change Log

    Stay up to date with the latest improvements across ShipHero. The Change Log gives you a clear view of new features, enhancements, and fixes as they roll out—so you always know what’s new and what’s better.