Set up QZ Tray for thermal printing

QZ Tray is RepairNode's bridge for USB thermal printers connected to a Windows PC. The phone sends the print job over the local network to QZ Tray, and QZ Tray forwards it to the USB printer.

1. Install QZ Tray

1. 1
   Download QZ Tray on the Windows PC

   Install the latest Windows build on the same PC that is connected to the thermal printer.
2. 2
   Launch it and keep it running

   You should see the QZ Tray icon in the Windows system tray before testing from the phone.

Download: https://qz.io/download/

2. Generate a trusted certificate

RepairNode uses QZ Tray trusted signing so the Windows host can verify the request source. Create the certificate pair from QZ Tray itself.

1. 1
   Open Site Manager

   Right-click the QZ Tray icon and open Advanced -> Site Manager.
2. 2
   Create a new certificate pair

   Use Create New (or the plus button) so QZ Tray generates the certificate and private key needed for trusted signing.

3. Find the files

QZ Tray stores the generated files in its certificate folder. RepairNode needs two files from that folder.

• digital-certificate.txt
• private-key.pem

4. Configure RepairNode

Make sure the phone and the Windows PC are on the same local network before you configure the Thermal Printer screen.

1. 1
   Open Settings -> Shop Management -> Thermal Printer

   This is the shared thermal printer setup screen.
2. 2
   Enable Thermal Printer and choose QZ Tray mode

   Select QZ Tray instead of direct TCP.
3. 3
   Enter the Windows PC IP address

   Use the local network IP of the computer that is running QZ Tray.
4. 4
   Use port 8182

   RepairNode uses 8182 as the QZ Tray default secure WebSocket port.
5. 5
   Enter the printer name exactly

   Use the same printer name shown in Windows Printers & scanners or load it from the in-app QZ printer list.
6. 6
   Paste or import the certificate and key

   Use Certificate Data and Private Key Data, or the file import buttons, to load the exact QZ Tray pair.

5. Validate and test

1. 1
   Run Validate Trusted Signing

   RepairNode should confirm that the certificate and private key belong together.
2. 2
   Run Test Connection

   If the bridge is correct, QZ Tray accepts the request and the printer should respond.
3. 3
   Save the setup

   Save before leaving so host, port, printer, and signing values stay stored on the device.