> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.auxalia.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.auxalia.com/plant-tools/plantexpresstools/collaboration-workflows/general-workflow.md).

# General Workflow

This chapter describes the locking mechanism for PlantExpressTools settings.

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<summary>Locking Mechanism</summary>

1. **PlantProjectSetup** When opening PlantProjectSetup or PlantExpressTools Settings the **PlantToolsSetup.xml** file in the ACPlantTools folder in the project will be checked out. This prevents other users from making changes. When opening PlantProjectSetup you can only access the **General Settings** node which contains local user settings. ![](https://2994090777-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZH2AGHzvPfBW7YdaaGc0%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-ea92c67699633a851c8ed1706b553eb29ef640f5%2FPET-Collab-0001.png?alt=media) ![](https://2994090777-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZH2AGHzvPfBW7YdaaGc0%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-7d1c6cb74352ebe2e166da1ccca0a305eec03810%2FPET-Collab-0002.png?alt=media)
2. **PlantExpressTools Settings** When opening PlantProjectSetup or PlantExpressTools Settings the **PlantToolsSetup.xml** file in the ACPlantTools folder in the project will be checked out. This prevents other users from making changes. When opening the PlantExpressTools Settings you can only access the **General** tab which contains licensing settings. ![](https://2994090777-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZH2AGHzvPfBW7YdaaGc0%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-5fa19d7f24dc377c53e3c6950e209e3b4aaa7315%2FPET-Collab-0003.png?alt=media) ![](https://2994090777-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZH2AGHzvPfBW7YdaaGc0%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-c9a1ca97f39d000d0533fdb0a4ae2fb1e744f524%2FPET-Collab-0004.png?alt=media)

</details>