# Condition on return: optional or mandatory – step by step

On every return, Tulz records the tool's condition: **OK**, **dirty** or **defective**. "Defective" automatically creates a damage report, "dirty" keeps the tool available and remembers the condition. You decide whether the employee has to choose the condition every time.

### Step 1: Set optional or mandatory

1. Open *Settings* and find the field **Condition check on return** in the *Workflows* section.
2. **Optional ("OK" preselected)** – default: whoever changes nothing returns the tool as OK.
3. **Mandatory (always choose)** – without a choice, nothing is booked back.
4. Click **Save** at the bottom.

![Settings → Condition check on return](https://tulz.work/hilfe/bild/zustand-einstellung.webp?l=en&v=aaa9470c)

### Step 2: What returns look like in mandatory mode

- **Loan list** (*Loans*): the quick return shows "– condition –"; choose first, then confirm the return in the same row.
- **Return by scan**: choose the condition before each scan – it only applies to the next tool.
- **Return form and tool page**: the field "Condition on return" is required.
- **Pick list → return all**: one condition for all tools still open; individual tools have their own choice.
- **Kiosk** and **API**: the same; the API expects `zustand` = `ok`, `verschmutzt` (dirty) or `defekt` (defective) and responds with error 422 if it is missing.

![Loan list: choose the condition, then return](https://tulz.work/hilfe/bild/zustand-liste.webp?l=en&v=98cd8cb2)

![Return by scan: condition before each scan](https://tulz.work/hilfe/bild/zustand-scan.webp?l=en&v=9bc81fb7)

If no condition is chosen, Tulz does not book the return and shows a notice – the tool stays on loan until the condition is chosen.

![Without condition: notice and return form](https://tulz.work/hilfe/bild/zustand-pflicht.webp?l=en&v=7aebc13c)

### Step 3: Keep an eye on dirty returns

"Dirty" does not change the status – the tool is available again immediately. The loan shows "Rückgabe: verschmutzt", the *History* shows the label **returned dirty**, and so does the tool's timeline. The **Shrinkage** report counts dirty returns per employee – so you notice when tools regularly come back uncleaned.

![History with "returned dirty"](https://tulz.work/hilfe/bild/zustand-verlauf.webp?l=en&v=4138d1e5)

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Source: https://tulz.work/en/help/article/return-condition · As of 2026-10-12 · Tulz