# How Availability Works (Overview)

## ⚙️ How Availability Works in Services

When creating or editing a service, you can choose how availability is calculated.\
Tipo Appointment now provides two options:

* **By team members**
* **By service hours**

You can find this the app > **Services** section > open a service detail.&#x20;

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### 👥 By Team Members

Use this option when your service is provided by specific staff members and their individual schedules determine availability.

Each team member can have their own working hours, and customers will book based on those available time slots.

#### How it works

* Multiple team members can be assigned to one service.
* Each member has their own availability schedule.
* Customers will see time slots based on team member availability.

#### Example

Service: **Yoga Class**

| Team Member | Availability    |
| ----------- | --------------- |
| Teacher A   | Monday only     |
| Teacher B   | Monday – Sunday |

Customers will see more available slots because **Teacher B is available more days**.

#### Important

If Teacher A is booked for Yoga Class 1 at 10:00 AM, they cannot be booked for another service at the same time.

This prevents double booking across services.

#### Best for

* Studios with multiple instructors
* Services that require specific staff
* Businesses managing staff schedules

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### 🕒 By Service Hours

Use this option when the service does not depend on specific staff members.

Instead, you set availability directly for the service itself.

#### How it works

* No team members are required.
* You set service hours directly in the calendar.
* Customers book based on the service schedule.

#### Example

Service: **Yoga Class**

Service availability:

* Monday – Sunday
* 08:00 – 16:00

Customers can book any time within these hours.

#### Important

Bookings are not linked to team member schedules, so there are no staff conflicts across services.

#### Best for

* Group classes
* Room / facility bookings
* Businesses that do not assign staff per booking

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### 🔍 Comparison

| Feature                       | By Team Members      | By Service Hours                |
| ----------------------------- | -------------------- | ------------------------------- |
| Uses staff schedules          | ✅ Yes                | ❌ No                            |
| Multiple staff per service    | ✅ Yes                | ❌ No                            |
| Prevents staff double booking | ✅ Yes                | ❌ Not applicable                |
| Service-level schedule        | ❌ No                 | ✅ Yes                           |
| Best for                      | Staff-based services | Resource / class-based services |

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### 💡 Which Option Should You Choose?

Choose **By Team Members** if:

* You assign bookings to specific staff
* Staff availability affects booking times

Choose **By Service Hours** if:

* You only need service-level scheduling
* Staff assignments are not required

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