> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.palletlog.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Understand movement direction

> Learn how inbound and outbound movements affect partner balances.

Movement direction determines how a quantity applies to each side of a partner relationship.

<Note>
  Interface labels, screenshots, and step-by-step UI guidance in this article are pending verification against the live Palletlog application. Conceptual guidance below uses approved Palletlog terminology. Detailed UI steps will be added when product sources are confirmed.
</Note>

## Outcome

You record direction that matches the physical flow and produce the intended balance impact.

## Direction in plain language

| Your operational event                  | Direction to verify                                      |
| --------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| Assets leave your site toward a partner | Outbound relative to your workspace                      |
| Assets return or arrive from a partner  | Inbound relative to your workspace                       |
| Carrier pickup on behalf of a partner   | Confirm which organization the movement is recorded from |

<Note>
  Balances reflect the direction of recorded movements between your workspace and each partner. A positive balance for an asset type means your partner holds more of that asset than you, or owes you units, depending on your workspace configuration. Verify balance direction against your operational agreements.
</Note>

## Steps

<Steps>
  <Step title="Describe the physical flow">
    Who held the assets before the event, and who holds them after?
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose direction from your workspace perspective">
    Register the movement from your workspace unless your process explicitly records on behalf of another party.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Preview balance impact if shown">
    Confirm the preview matches your expectation before saving.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save and verify balances">
    Check [Balances by partner](/balances/balances-by-partner) after saving.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Common mistakes

* Flipping inbound/outbound when copying spreadsheet habits
* Recording from the partner's perspective inside your workspace
* Correcting direction with a second opposing movement instead of editing when correction is available

## Related articles

* [Register a movement](/operations/register-movement)
* [Correct a movement](/operations/correct-movement)
* [Balance not updated](/troubleshooting/balance-not-updated)