How RouteWren works

From a list of addresses to a booked, timed day in a few minutes. Here's the whole flow.

1. Set yourself up (2 minutes)

Create an account with your email, then open Settings. Add your name, company and cell, and the base address where your day starts and ends. Set your day start, day end and how long a typical visit takes. On your phone, use your browser's Add to Home screen so RouteWren opens like an app.

2. Add your stops

On the Stops tab, tap Add. A stop needs a name and an address; add a phone number if you want to text them. A reference # (job, order or file number), due date, visit type and notes are optional.

Have a list already? Tap Import, paste rows from any spreadsheet (with the header row) or upload a CSV. RouteWren matches the columns for you and shows a preview first. Importing the same list again updates people instead of duplicating them.

3. Plan a day

Open the Day tab, pick a date and tap Plan this day. RouteWren ticks the stop that's due soonest plus its nearest neighbours, up to your daily maximum. Untick or add stops, then Route and time: it orders the stops for the shortest drive and gives each a visit time that allows for the drive and your visit length.

4. Text everyone in one tap

Tap Message appointments. Each person gets your message with their own day and time, for example: "Hi Avery, this is Pat. I will be in your area Thursday, October 29 between 10:30 and 11:30 AM. Does that time work for you?" Keep several templates (first visit, follow-up, delivery) and pick one when you send, and choose whether texts say "around 10:30" or give a time window.

Behind schedule? Running late on today's route tells your next stop, or everyone left today, how many minutes behind you are and your new time, using a message you can edit.

Once a stop is texted, its time is locked: rebuilding the day only moves stops you haven't texted yet.

5. Handle replies

Replies appear on each stop. When it reads like a "yes", RouteWren suggests Confirm. You can also choose New time or Decline, and send a follow-up ("Great, thanks. See you then.") with the same tap. A decline turns the time into an open spot; tap Fill to offer it to the closest waiting stop. Tap any stop to see the whole conversation or write your own text.

6. Drive the day

Home shows your next stop with directions, replies waiting and the week ahead. On the Day tab, Open route in Google Maps loads every stop in order. Tick Visited as you go. Today's route still opens if you lose signal.

Please don't use RouteWren while driving. Plan and text before you set off or when you're parked.