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Getting Started with Stockaj: Your First Rental in 5 Minutes

· 4 min read
Alexandre Bianchi
Alexandre Bianchi
Creator of Stockaj

You've signed up for Stockaj. Now what?

This guide walks you through the entire flow — from creating your first item to completing your first rental — in under 5 minutes. No configuration needed, no complex setup. Just the essentials to get you productive immediately.

Step 1: Create Your Account (30 seconds)​

Head to app.stockaj.io/register and create your account. You'll need:

  • A name
  • An email address
  • A password

That's it. No credit card. No company details. No onboarding questionnaire.

Once you're in, Stockaj creates your first workspace automatically. A workspace is where all your items, rentals, and contacts live. Think of it as your inventory universe.

Step 2: Add Your First Item (60 seconds)​

Click Items in the sidebar, then + New Item.

Fill in the basics:

FieldExample
NameCanon EOS R5
CategoryCameras
Quantity3

Click Save. That's your first item.

Want to track individual units?​

If each unit has a serial number (like cameras or laptops), create variants:

  1. Open the item you just created
  2. Click Add Variant
  3. Enter a code or serial number (e.g., CAM-001, CAM-002)

Each variant becomes independently trackable — you'll know exactly which unit is where.

QR codes​

Every item and variant gets a QR code automatically. You can print these and stick them on your equipment. When you scan a QR code later (from any device), Stockaj instantly shows you the item's status.

Step 3: Add a Renter (30 seconds)​

A "renter" is anyone you lend equipment to — a person, a team, an organization.

Go to Renters → + New Renter and enter:

FieldExample
NameMarie Dupont

You can add email, phone, or address later. The only required field is the name.

Step 4: Create Your First Rental (90 seconds)​

Now the fun part. Go to Rentals → + New Rental.

  1. Select the renter — Pick "Marie Dupont" from the dropdown (or search by name)
  2. Add items — Search for "Canon EOS R5" and select it. Choose the quantity or specific variant
  3. Set a return date (optional) — Pick a date when you expect the item back
  4. Add a note (optional) — "For the weekend photo shoot"
  5. Click Create

Done. Marie now has a Canon EOS R5 checked out, and the item's status updates automatically.

Step 5: Return the Item (30 seconds)​

When Marie brings back the camera:

  1. Go to Rentals and find Marie's rental
  2. Click Mark as Finished

The item is back in your available stock. The rental stays in your history forever — you'll always know who had what, and when.

Even faster with scanning​

If you printed QR codes:

  1. Open Stockaj on your phone
  2. Scan the QR code on the item
  3. Stockaj shows you the active rental
  4. Tap to complete the return

No searching, no scrolling. Just scan and done.

What You've Built in 5 Minutes​

Let's recap what you just set up:

  • ✅ An inventory with trackable items and variants
  • ✅ A contact database with your first renter
  • ✅ A complete rental cycle — checkout, tracking, and return
  • ✅ QR codes ready to print for hands-free scanning
  • ✅ A rental history that's already recording data

And this is just the free plan — 50 items, 20 rentals per month, 1 user. No time limit.

What's Next?​

Now that the basics are in place, here are some things to explore:

Import your inventory​

Got an existing list? Go to Items → Import and upload a CSV file. Stockaj maps your columns and imports everything in one go.

Invite your team​

On the Starter plan and above, you can invite team members with different roles:

  • Editor — Can manage rentals and items
  • Creator — Can create but not delete
  • Guest — View-only access

Set up the Kiosk​

If you manage a warehouse or equipment depot, the Kiosk mode turns any browser into a self-service station. Volunteers or staff can scan items and check them out without needing full app access.

Enable alerts​

Set up overdue alerts to get notified when items aren't returned on time. Combine with webhooks to push notifications to Slack, Teams, or your own systems.

Use the API​

Building your own tools? The REST API gives you full programmatic access to your inventory, rentals, and contacts.

The Free Plan Is Real​

Stockaj's free plan isn't a 14-day trial. It's a permanent plan with:

  • 50 items
  • 20 rentals per month
  • 1 user
  • 1 workspace
  • 100 renters
  • 100 MB storage

For a small team or a personal equipment collection, this might be all you ever need. And if you outgrow it, paid plans start at CHF 29/month with a 14-day free trial.

Questions? Check out the documentation or contact us. We typically respond within a few hours during European business hours.