Overview
What Is Complete Shop Manager?
Complete Shop Manager (CSM) is web-based software built for auto repair shops. It handles everything that happens from the moment a car pulls in to the moment the invoice is paid — in one place, from any device with a browser.
You do not need to install anything. CSM runs entirely online. Your data is always up to date whether you are at the front desk, in the shop, or working from home.
Who Is It For?
CSM is designed for small to mid-size independent auto repair shops. It works equally well for a single owner-operator or a shop with a full team of service advisors and technicians. Each staff member logs in with their own account and sees only what their role allows.
What Can CSM Do?
Customers and Vehicles
Keep a searchable record of every customer and vehicle you have ever worked on. Customer records store contact information and a full history of every repair order linked to them. Vehicle records include year, make, model, VIN, mileage, and a complete service history — so your team always knows what has been done before the customer says a word.
Repair Orders
The repair order is the center of the app. Each job gets its own repair order where your team records labor lines, parts, notes, tax, and payment status. Service advisors and technicians are assigned to each job. The system tracks who is working on what, flags jobs that are overdue, and locks completed orders so the record stays accurate.
Parts and Labor Presets
Save your most common labor operations and parts as presets. When building a repair order, your service advisors can add them in seconds instead of typing the same information every time. Parts can also be tracked in inventory so you always know what is on the shelf.
Payments
Accept payment directly through the app using PayPal, Square, or Stripe — or all three at once. Customers can pay at the front desk, at a self-service kiosk, or on their own device using a checkout link. Payment history is attached directly to the repair order.
Scheduling
Book and manage appointments on a calendar built into the app. Appointments connect to customers and vehicles so the context is always there when the job becomes a repair order.
Employee Management
Create accounts for your staff and assign each one a role. Roles control exactly what each person can see and do — technicians see their work queue, service advisors manage jobs, owners have full access. Time tracking lets technicians clock in and out of individual repair orders.
Reports
Pull summary reports on revenue, repair orders, parts usage, and more. Reports can be filtered by date range and exported.
Accounting Integration
Connect to QuickBooks or Xero to keep your shop accounting in sync without double-entering data.
Customer Portal
Your customers can create their own login at no cost to them and view their complete service history across every visit to your shop. They can also see upcoming appointments. The portal is a separate, secure login — completely independent from your staff accounts.
Multi-Language Support
CSM supports English and Spanish. Individual staff members and customers can each choose their preferred language.
Plans
CSM offers a free trial so you can explore every feature before committing. The Pro plan unlocks online payment collection and removes any usage limits. You can upgrade at any time from inside the app.
Getting Started
The next sections of this manual walk through each area of the app in detail — starting with setting up your account and inviting your first staff member.