The RestaurantManage Print Agent is a lightweight Windows service that receives print commands from the cloud and sends them to your thermal receipt printer — enabling automatic receipt printing when orders are paid or when kitchen tickets need to be printed. The agent supports network printers (TCP port 9100), USB printers, and Windows spooler connections. This guide covers installation, configuration, printer connection, and troubleshooting.
How Does Receipt Printing Work?
The printing workflow is fully automated. When a cashier confirms payment or a kitchen ticket is triggered, the RestaurantManage backend generates the complete receipt as ESC/POS byte commands — including restaurant name, table number, itemized order, prices, tax breakdown, total, and payment method. These bytes are sent over a secure WebSocket connection (PrintHub) to the Print Agent running on a Windows PC in your restaurant. The agent decodes the data and forwards it directly to the connected thermal printer. The entire process takes under two seconds from payment confirmation to printed receipt.
How Do I Install the Print Agent?
- Download: Get the latest Print Agent installer from your admin dashboard or contact support.
- Install: Run the installer on a Windows PC that will stay powered on during service hours.
- Configure: Open config.json and enter your API base URL, restaurant ID, and agent secret key (provided by your admin).
- Connect printer: Plug in your thermal printer via USB or connect it to the same network as the PC.
- Start the service: Run the Print Agent — it connects to PrintHub automatically and shows a green status indicator.
- Test print: Process a test payment from the cashier panel and verify the receipt prints correctly.
What Printer Connection Types Are Supported?
The Print Agent supports three connection methods, with automatic fallback between them. Network printers connect via TCP on port 9100 — enter the printer's IP address in the configuration. This is the recommended method for restaurants with multiple printers. USB printers connect directly to the PC and are accessed through Windows spooler or direct USB port addressing. Windows spooler uses the standard Windows print driver, which works with any printer recognized by Windows. The agent tries spooler first, then falls back to direct USB, and finally attempts UNC network shares.
How Do I Configure the Print Agent?
The Print Agent uses a config.json file with three required settings: ApiBaseUrl (the RestaurantManage server URL), RestaurantId (your restaurant's unique ID from the admin dashboard), and AgentSecretKey (a secret key generated in the admin panel that authenticates the print agent without needing a user account). The agent authenticates with PrintHub using this secret key over WebSocket. For network printers, add the printer IP and port to the configuration. The agent logs all activity to the logs/ folder for troubleshooting.
How Does Automatic Updating Work?
The Print Agent checks for updates approximately every 2.5 hours by calling the update endpoint on the RestaurantManage server. If a new version is available, it downloads the update package as a ZIP file to a pending updates folder, runs the installation script, and restarts the service automatically. This means your restaurant always runs the latest version without manual intervention. Update checks include a per-restaurant timing jitter to avoid all agents updating simultaneously. You can see the current agent version in the admin dashboard.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Agent won't connect: Check that ApiBaseUrl and AgentSecretKey in config.json are correct. Verify internet access on the PC.
- Receipt doesn't print: Confirm the printer is powered on and connected. Check the logs/ folder for error details.
- Garbled text on receipt: Ensure your printer supports ESC/POS commands. Most 80mm thermal printers are compatible.
- Connection drops frequently: The agent auto-reconnects, but check your network stability. A wired Ethernet connection is more reliable than Wi-Fi.
- Agent not starting as service: Run install-service.bat as Administrator to register the Windows service properly.
Related Guides
- Cashier panel: How to process payments that trigger receipt printing
- Kitchen display: How kitchen ticket printing integrates with the order flow
- Getting started: Full setup guide from registration to first order
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