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Navigation & Header Overview

MaidCentral Pulse gives you a consistent navigation bar on every page so you can move quickly between modules, search for any record, and take action without leaving your current view. This article covers the sidebar, the top header toolbar, and all the time-saving tools built into them.

Who Can Access This​

RoleAccess Level
AdministratorFull access
Office ManagerFull access
SalesFull access
HR AdminFull access
Payroll AdminFull access
Field TechnicianNo access — technicians use the technician portal header
note

If you don't see a feature described here, your role may not have permission. Contact your administrator.

Overview​

The Pulse interface has two navigation areas that stay with you on every page:

  • Sidebar — runs down the left side of the screen and holds all the main module links.
  • Top header bar — runs across the top and holds Search, Quick Action, Pulse Connect messages, Keyboard Shortcuts, and your user menu.

Together they let you jump anywhere, create records, and message contacts without breaking your workflow.

Using the Sidebar​

The sidebar lists every module you have access to: Dashboard, Schedule, Contacts, Technicians, Time, Invoicing, Payroll, Reports, Sales Pipeline, Quoting, Messages, and Settings.

Switching Modules​

Click any item in the sidebar to go to that module. The current page is highlighted with a colored left border. Hover over any item to see its keyboard shortcut on the right side.

You can change how the sidebar behaves by clicking the arrow button at the very bottom of the sidebar. There are three modes:

  1. Expanded — sidebar is always fully open.
  2. Hover — sidebar collapses when you are not hovering over it. It expands when you move your mouse over it.
  3. Collapsed — sidebar shows only icons. Click the arrow again to expand.

Your choice is saved automatically, so it stays the same the next time you log in.

Branch Switcher​

If your company has more than one branch, a branch selector appears near the top of the sidebar. Click it to switch to a different branch. All data on the page updates immediately to reflect the selected branch. The selector is hidden while you are viewing Pulse as another user.

Notification Badges​

Orange badges appear on sidebar items when something needs attention. For example, the number on Sales Pipeline is the number of leads in the board's Needs Contacted column, using the board's filters (see Why doesn't the Sales Pipeline badge match the board?). If your company has more than one branch, the Tickets badge in the sidebar and the badges on the Pulse Connect (mailbox) and Work Queue icons in the header count only the branch you are working in. Switch branches to see another location's count.

Searching with the Command Palette​

The Search bar sits in the center of the top header. Use it to quickly find any customer, technician, job, lead, or other record in the system.

  • Click the Search... bar in the header, or
  • Press ⌘K (Mac) or Ctrl+K (Windows) from anywhere in the app.

Searching for Records​

  1. Open the command palette using the search bar or ⌘K.
  2. Start typing a name, address, phone number, or any keyword.
  3. Results appear grouped by type (Customers, Technicians, Jobs, etc.).
  4. Click any result to open that record.

When the command palette is open, you can also type action names like "New Customer" or "Schedule Job" to trigger common tasks directly from the search box. Available actions depend on your permissions.

Quick Action Button​

The New Quote button appears in the top-right area of the header. It opens the Full-Page Estimate so you can start a quote from any page.

How to Start a Quote​

  • Click the New Quote button in the header, or
  • Press ⌘. (Mac) or Ctrl+. (Windows).

Available Actions​

Other create actions have their own shortcuts:

  • New Customer: press ⌘K to open Search and choose New Customer. It opens the Add Contact drawer, or the Full-Page Estimate if your company doesn't use Add Contact.
  • Schedule New Job: ⌘J opens a customer search, then the job's date and time.
  • Quick Quote: ⌘Q opens the Full-Page Estimate.

The options shown depend on your role. If you do not have permission to create customers, that option will not appear.

Pulse Connect (Messages)​

The Pulse Connect icon looks like a mailbox and sits in the top-right header area. It opens a side panel for real-time messaging with customers and team members.

How to Open Pulse Connect​

Click the mailbox icon in the header. The Pulse Connect drawer slides in from the right.

An orange badge on the icon shows how many unread messages you have in the branch you are working in.

Starting or Continuing a Conversation​

  • Click an existing conversation to read and reply.
  • You can also open Pulse Connect directly from a customer or technician record. Clicking a name or phone number on a detail page will open Pulse Connect pre-loaded with that contact's conversation.

Keyboard Shortcuts​

Pulse includes keyboard shortcuts for navigation and common actions. They let you move around the app without touching your mouse.

Viewing All Shortcuts​

  • Click the ⌘/ button in the top-right header, or
  • Press ⌘/ (Mac) or Ctrl+/ (Windows) from anywhere.

A dialog opens showing all available shortcuts grouped by category.

ShortcutAction
⌘1Go to Dashboard
⌘2Go to Schedule
⌘3Go to Contacts
⌘4Go to Technicians
⌘5Go to Time
⌘6Go to Invoicing
⌘7Go to Payroll
⌘8Go to Reports
⌘,Go to Settings

Action Shortcuts​

ShortcutAction
⌘.New Quote
⌘JSchedule New Job
⌘QQuick Quote
⌘KOpen Search
⌘/Show Keyboard Shortcuts

Shortcuts do not fire when you are typing inside a text field or search box.

On Windows and Linux, replace ⌘ with Ctrl.

Your User Menu​

Your avatar icon appears in the top-right corner of the header. Click it to open the user menu.

From the user menu you can:

  • Profile — view and edit your own profile information. Changing your email address asks for your current password.
  • Settings — go directly to company settings.
  • Support — open the help center.
  • Dark / Light Mode — toggle the app's color theme between dark and light. Your preference is saved automatically.
  • Log Out — sign out of your account.

Why does Pulse ask for my password when I change my email?​

Changing your email address on Profile > Account asks for your current password. Enter it in the Current Password field that appears below Email, then select Save Changes. If the password is wrong, Pulse shows "Current password is incorrect" and keeps your old email address.

Page Title and Breadcrumbs​

The left side of the header shows the current page title and breadcrumb trail. Breadcrumbs let you jump back to a parent page. For example, on a technician profile page you will see Technicians > Technician Profile. Click Technicians to go back to the full list.

Tips and Best Practices​

  • Use ⌘K to search instead of browsing through menus. It is usually the fastest way to find a customer or job.
  • Press ⌘. to open Quick Action any time you need to create a record quickly. You do not have to navigate to a specific module first.
  • Switch the sidebar to Hover mode if you want more screen space without fully hiding navigation.
  • Keep an eye on orange badges in the sidebar — they update automatically as new leads arrive and messages come in.
  • Use ⌘/ if you forget a shortcut. The dialog lists everything available.

Troubleshooting​

What you seeSolution
Keyboard shortcuts are not workingMake sure you are not typing in a text field. Click an empty area of the page first.
The New Quote button is not visibleQuick Action is not shown on the Customer or Host portals. It is available on the Office and Technician portals only.
The Search bar is not visibleGlobal Search may not be enabled for your company. Contact your administrator.
Pulse Connect icon is missingPulse Connect may not be enabled for your company. Contact your administrator.
Orange badge count is wrongCounts update right after you create, close or snooze a ticket, read a message, or action a lead, and refresh on their own every few minutes. The Sales Pipeline badge counts the board's Needs Contacted column with the board's filters. The Tickets badge and the Pulse Connect and Work Queue icon badges count only the branch you are working in, so switch branches to see another location's count. If one still looks off, refresh the page.
Sidebar keeps resetting to expandedYour browser may be clearing localStorage. Check your browser privacy settings.