Normally, every action in TORO requires someone to log in with their PIN. That’s by design. It keeps a clean audit trail and makes sure each employee only does what they’re authorized to do.
But sometimes that gets in the way. Maybe you’re the only one in the store and you’re tired of entering your password every thirty seconds. Maybe you’re training someone and don’t want to stop the flow to authenticate every action. Single User Mode lets you temporarily tell TORO: “It’s just me. Stop asking for passwords.”
Here’s the honest version: this feature is powerful and convenient, but it comes with real risk. While it’s active, anyone who touches the register operates under your name with your permissions. TORO won’t know the difference. So use it deliberately, and understand what you’re signing up for.
How It Works #
Single User Mode is session-based and temporary. When you activate it, you pick how long it should last — say 30 minutes. During that window, every action that would normally prompt for a login just… doesn’t. TORO automatically uses your credentials behind the scenes.
There’s no database change, no permanent setting. It lives in memory. Restart TORO and it’s gone. The timer runs out and it’s gone. It’s designed to be short-lived by nature.
Turning It On #
You’ll find Single User Mode in the menu bar under Admin → Single User Mode – Set User.
Here’s the activation flow:
- Authenticate yourself. TORO asks you to log in first — you need the “Switch to Admin Mode” permission to even access this feature. If you don’t have that permission, you won’t get past this step.
- Set the duration. A dialog pops up asking: “How long would you like to delay password check?” Enter the number of minutes. The default is 30. Pick whatever makes sense — 15 minutes for a quick solo stretch, 60 if you’re deep in a training session.
- Read the warning. TORO shows you a very direct warning message. It tells you that anyone who uses the computer during this time won’t need a password, that all actions will be recorded under your name, and that TORO doesn’t recommend using this feature. This isn’t fine print — read it.
- You’re in. The menu item updates to show who activated it and when it expires — something like “Single User Mode Activated [KF0013] [Until TORO Restart or Feb 15, 2026 2:30 PM]”. That’s your reminder that it’s running.
A system-wide notification also goes out to all employees, letting everyone know that Single User Mode was activated, who turned it on, and when it expires.
What Changes While It’s Active #
The core behavior change is simple: TORO stops showing the login dialog. Every action that would normally ask “who are you?” instead silently uses the account of whoever activated Single User Mode.
That means:
- Ring up a sale — no login prompt. It records under your name.
- Give a discount — no login prompt. Your discount limit applies.
- Void a transaction — no login prompt. Your void permissions apply.
- Access admin tools — no login prompt. Your access level applies.
Your permissions don’t change. You don’t get more or fewer capabilities. The only difference is that TORO stops verifying it’s actually you at the keyboard.
This also means if someone else walks up to the register while Single User Mode is active, they get your full access — your discount limits, your void permissions, your admin tools. And every action they take shows up in the logs as you.
Turning It Off #
There are three ways Single User Mode ends:
Manually — Go to Admin → Single User Mode – Turn Off. TORO confirms the deactivation and sends a notification to all employees. Normal login behavior resumes immediately.
Automatically by timer — When the duration you set runs out, the next action that would need a login triggers the expiration. TORO clears the session and shows the normal login dialog. No notification needed — it just quietly goes back to normal.
Restart TORO — Since Single User Mode lives entirely in memory, restarting the application wipes it clean. This is mentioned right in the activation warning as a fallback: “To reset it back to normal where passwords are required, just restart TORO.”
Who Can Use This #
You need the “Switch to Admin Mode” permission (technically called “Switch to Admin Mode for all of TORO”). This is a high-level permission typically reserved for owners, admins, and senior managers. Regular employees and cashiers won’t even see the option work — they’ll be blocked at the authentication step.
This makes sense. You’re essentially telling TORO to trust that only one authorized person is using the system. That decision should only be made by someone with real authority.
When It Makes Sense #
Solo shifts. If you’re the only person in the store and you’re bouncing between the register, the back office, and the sales floor, entering your password dozens of times gets old. Set Single User Mode for the duration of your solo shift and work uninterrupted.
Training. When you’re teaching a new employee how to use the system, stopping to authenticate every action breaks the flow. Activate Single User Mode so you can demonstrate features smoothly, then turn it off when training is done.
Troubleshooting. If you’re working through an issue — testing receipt settings, adjusting inventory, running reports — and the constant login prompts are slowing you down, a short Single User Mode session can help you move faster.
When It Doesn’t #
Busy shifts with multiple employees. If other people are using the register, don’t use Single User Mode. Every sale, discount, and void will be attributed to you, and you’ll have no audit trail of who actually did what.
Unattended registers. Never activate Single User Mode and walk away from the computer. Anyone — employee or otherwise — can perform any action your account is authorized for.
As a permanent workaround. If you find yourself wanting Single User Mode on all the time, that’s a sign something else needs attention. Maybe your login method is too slow, or your permissions need restructuring. Talk to support rather than leaving the security door propped open.
The Audit Trail #
This is worth emphasizing: Single User Mode doesn’t create a separate audit category. There’s no flag on transactions that says “this was done during Single User Mode.” Every action looks exactly like the activating user performed it normally.
That means if a discount was given, a void was processed, or a cash drop was recorded during Single User Mode — it shows your name. Period. You’re accepting full responsibility for everything that happens during that window.
The only record that Single User Mode was even used is the system notification that gets broadcast when it’s activated and deactivated. Those messages include the store name, who turned it on, and when it expires (or who turned it off).
Quick Reference #
| Turn on | Admin → Single User Mode – Set User |
| Turn off | Admin → Single User Mode – Turn Off |
| Permission needed | Switch to Admin Mode |
| Default duration | 30 minutes |
| Survives restart? | No — clears on restart |
| Affects other stations? | No — only the computer where it’s activated |
| Audit trail | All actions recorded as the activating user |
