---
title: Run a cleaning checklist
description: Complete a scheduled or on-demand checklist run, handle a critical fail, and sign it off as a manager.
order: 17
updated: 2026-09-16
keywords: checklist, cleaning, run, sign-off, critical, template
---

Checklist runs replace the paper cleaning and opening/closing forms. Each run is answered by the person on shift and signed off by a manager.

**Before you start:** a checklist template exists (see [Set up food safety for one outlet](/docs/tutorials/set-up-food-safety)). Safety access for the outlet.

## Open the run

1. Open **Safety › Cleaning** (or **Safety › Checklists** for non-cleaning templates).
2. Today's scheduled runs are listed. Choose **Start on demand** to run a template outside its schedule.

## Answer the items

1. Work down the list. Mark each item done, or not done with a note.
2. Add a photo reference where the item asks for evidence.
3. A **critical** item that fails asks for a note and raises a finding. It cannot be skipped.

## Complete and sign off

1. The person on shift completes the run.
2. A manager opens the run and signs it off. The sign-off records the manager's name and time.
3. A run that could not be done, for example because the area was closed, can be **excused** with a reason instead of left open.

## Ad-hoc tasks

Add a one-off task to today's run for something outside the template, for example a spill or a deep clean after a pest sighting.

## Automatic runs

Some runs start on their own from other events, for example a post-deviation check after a fridge alarm. They appear in the same list.

## Related

- [Log a temperature deviation](/docs/how-to/log-a-temperature-deviation)
- [Generate and share an inspection pack](/docs/how-to/generate-an-inspection-pack)