> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Use Inbox from your Overview dashboard
> Glance at unread customer messages and jump into a conversation without leaving your Overview dashboard.
Use this guide when you want to see who messaged your facility while you are already on the [Overview dashboard](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/v2).
The Inbox panel on Overview shows recent conversations and unread counts. It is a quick way to spot new texts, emails, or calls before you open the full [Inbox](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/inbox) page.
## What you will accomplish
* Find the Inbox panel on your Overview dashboard.
* Search conversations and see unread badges at a glance.
* Open a customer thread in the full Inbox when you are ready to reply.
## Before you start
* Your facility should already use the [Overview dashboard](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/v2). If you still see an older home page, ask an admin about dashboard layout or read [Customize your Overview dashboard](/docs/basics/customize-your-overview).
* Inbox should be set up. If message buttons are gray everywhere, start with [Configure communication settings for Inbox](/docs/inbox/configure-communication-settings).
* You need permission to open staff Inbox and Overview pages.
## Open the Inbox panel on Overview
Open [Overview](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/v2) from the dashboard sidebar.
**Why this page:** Overview is meant to be your command center. Many facilities add schedule, parking, and Inbox panels here so front-desk staff see what needs attention in one place.
Scroll until you see a panel titled **Inbox** (your admin may have renamed it).
The panel includes:
* A **Search conversations** field at the top
* A list of customer names with message previews
* Small **number badges** when a conversation has unread activity (for example **Text 2** means two unread texts in that thread)
* An orange **Reschedule** tag when the latest preview starts with **Reschedule proposed:**
**Expected result:** You can see who contacted your facility recently without opening the full Inbox page.
Type in **Search conversations** to filter by customer name or the text in the latest message preview.
This search only filters what is shown in the panel. It does not search your entire customer database. To find someone who has never messaged you, use [Start a new Inbox conversation](/docs/inbox/start-a-new-inbox-conversation) from the full Inbox page instead.
*After you add the Inbox panel and save, unread customer conversations appear on [Overview](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/v2) without opening the full Inbox page.*
## Open a conversation in full Inbox
The Overview panel is for scanning and quick jumps. When you need the full timeline, filters, **Text**, **Email**, **Call**, or **Suggest with AI**, open the customer in the main Inbox page.
In the Inbox panel, click the customer you want to help.
**Expected result:** Your browser opens the full [Inbox](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/inbox) conversation for that customer.
Click the panel's link to open the full Inbox page (often labeled **Inbox** with an external-link icon in the panel header).
Use this when you want the full conversation list, the **+** button to start a new thread, or **Quick call** from the Inbox toolbar.
Follow [Respond to a conversation](/docs/inbox/respond-to-a-conversation) to read the timeline and send your answer.
**Why this matters:** The full Inbox page keeps every text, email, and call in order. Replying from there protects your team from sending an answer without reading earlier messages.
*After you click a customer on Overview, the full [Inbox](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/inbox) page opens with the complete timeline—use this view to reply, call, or use **Suggest with AI**.*
## When to use Overview vs full Inbox
**Use the Overview Inbox panel when…**
* You are already on Overview checking schedule or parking
* You want a quick list of unread conversations
* You need to jump into one customer thread
**Open the full [Inbox](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/inbox) page when…**
* You need to start a new conversation with **+**
* You want timeline filters (**Texts**, **Emails**, **Calls**)
* You are coordinating with teammates using **Live** updates and **Mark unread**
* You need **Quick call**, image attachments, or **Suggest with AI**
**Why two entry points exist**
Overview is for **scanning**. The full Inbox page is for **doing the work**—reading long threads, attaching photos, placing calls, and using AI drafts. If you only ever use Overview, you may miss tools that live at the bottom and top of the full conversation view.
## Add or adjust the Inbox panel
If you do not see an Inbox panel on Overview, your layout may not include it yet.
Go to [Overview](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/v2) and click **Edit** in the top-right corner of the page.
**Why this step matters:** Edit mode lets you add, remove, and rearrange panels without changing how other staff see the dashboard until you click **Save**.
Click **+ Add panel** (or the dashed empty slot at the top of the grid).
In the panel picker, choose **Inbox** from the component list. You can often turn on options such as **unread only** if you want the widget to show just conversations that still need a reply.
Drag the new **Inbox** panel where you want it on the grid, then click **Save** in the top-right corner.
**Expected result:** A panel titled **Inbox** appears on your Overview page with a **Search conversations** field and a list of customer names.
If you do not see **Edit**, your role may not be allowed to change the dashboard layout. Ask a facility admin to add the **Inbox** panel for your team.
See [Customize your Overview dashboard](/docs/basics/customize-your-overview) for the full layout workflow.
*In **Edit** mode, drag panels to rearrange them. Add **Inbox** from **+ Add panel**, then click **Save** so your whole team sees the updated layout.*
## What success looks like
* You can see unread customer conversations from Overview without hunting through separate tools.
* Clicking a customer opens the correct thread in full Inbox.
* Your team knows when to stay on Overview for a quick glance vs when to work in the full Inbox page.
## Troubleshooting
**The Inbox panel says no conversations yet**
This is normal for a new facility. After customers text, email, or call, conversations appear here and on [Inbox](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/inbox). Send an internal test message using [Configure communication settings for Inbox](/docs/inbox/configure-communication-settings) before going live.
**Unread counts look wrong**
Open the customer in full Inbox and read the latest messages. If follow-up is still needed, use **Mark unread** from the conversation list. See [Coordinate with your team in Inbox](/docs/inbox/coordinate-with-your-team-in-inbox).
**I cannot find a customer in the panel search**
The panel search only filters conversations that already exist in Inbox. Open [Contacts](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/contacts) to confirm the customer record, then use [Start a new Inbox conversation](/docs/inbox/start-a-new-inbox-conversation) from the full Inbox page.
## What to do next
Continue with [Inbox overview](/docs/inbox/overview) for the full list of guides, or jump straight to [Respond to a conversation](/docs/inbox/respond-to-a-conversation) when you are ready to reply.
This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.