# Availability

Octoo's calendar-based availability system lets providers manage their availability directly from the [](https://docs.octoo.com/providers/calendar "mention"). Partners can also view and manage a provider's availability from the provider's profile. This replaced the legacy [availability](https://docs.octoo.com/providers/availability "mention") features of **Away** and **Weekly Availability**.

## How availability works

Octoo uses availability information to contact providers at the right time with the right opportunities. When a new request comes in, the system checks each provider's availability before sending broadcast notifications:

* **Not available** — The provider will not be emailed for any [opportunities](https://docs.octoo.com/providers/opportunities "mention") that overlap with the blocked time. However, these opportunities will still appear in the provider's **still available** list, so the provider can still express interest if their plans change.
* **Remote only** — The provider will not be emailed for on-site jobs during the blocked time but will still receive email broadcasts for remote opportunities.

Setting availability only affects automated email broadcasts. Partners can still manually assign a provider to a job during blocked times, and providers can still browse and express interest in opportunities from the [opportunities](https://docs.octoo.com/providers/opportunities "mention") page.

## How it looks on the calendar

Both Away periods and Weekly Availability blockers appear as **"Not Available"** events on the calendar. Weekly blockers show as recurring time-based events, while Away periods show as all-day events.

<figure><img src="https://1289211425-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FSDEsicvUEa7h3PVCLlQC%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-ce1da207c06c2c32cbb1a0d13538fe0cb80dde78%2Fcalendar-availability.png?alt=media" alt="Calendar week view showing availability blocks: Tuesday and Thursday 12-8pm weekly blockers and an all-day away on Saturday"><figcaption><p>The calendar showing migrated availability: weekly blockers on Tuesday and Thursday (12pm–8pm) and an all-day Away period on Saturday.</p></figcaption></figure>

Availability events can be toggled on or off using the **Availability** filter in the sidebar.

## Adding availability

There are two ways to add availability from the calendar:

### Using the button

Click the **add availability** button in the top-right corner of the calendar to open the Create Availability modal.

<figure><img src="https://1289211425-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FSDEsicvUEa7h3PVCLlQC%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-64e94429b9a200afbf0e36cee342a7354f67cfed%2Fcreate-availability-modal.png?alt=media" alt="Create Availability modal with fields for type, date, time, recurrence, and optional details"><figcaption><p>The Create Availability modal lets the provider set the type, date, time range, and recurrence pattern.</p></figcaption></figure>

The modal includes the following fields:

* **Availability Type** — Choose between **Not available** (the provider cannot work during this time) or **Remote only** (the provider is available but only for remote jobs).
* **Event Duration** — Set the date, start time, and end time. Check **All day** to block off an entire day. Use **Change timezone** to enter times in a different timezone.
* **Recurrence** — Set the event to repeat on a schedule:
  * Does not repeat (one-time event)
  * Daily
  * Weekly on a specific day
  * Monthly on a specific date
  * Every weekday (Monday to Friday)
  * Custom (for more advanced patterns)
* **Add more details** — Optionally add a note about why the provider is unavailable.

Click **Save** to add the availability event to the calendar.

### Dragging on the calendar

Availability can also be added by clicking and dragging directly on the calendar grid to select a time range. This opens the Create Availability modal with the date and time pre-filled based on the selection.

<figure><img src="https://1289211425-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FSDEsicvUEa7h3PVCLlQC%2Fuploads%2FMHuAf7mLpymEOA5beoqc%2FAddAvailability.mov.gif?alt=media&#x26;token=09da3aee-26d3-4e08-a369-f503f093fdde" alt="Animated gif showing the drag-and-drop functionality on the calendar"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Legacy settings

{% hint style="warning" %}
The following settings were deprecated on March 24, 2026 and have been migrated to the calendar.
{% endhint %}

The legacy availability settings were previously configured from the provider's profile under **Settings > Availability**:

### Away (legacy)

Away periods allowed a provider to block off specific date ranges when they were completely unavailable.

<figure><img src="https://1289211425-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FSDEsicvUEa7h3PVCLlQC%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-0ef974594941d66d94451c49b2dbe76ffc0b4d4a%2Flegacy-away-settings.png?alt=media" alt="Legacy Away settings showing an away period for March 21-22"><figcaption><p>The legacy Away settings page under Settings > Availability > Away.</p></figcaption></figure>

### Weekly Availability (legacy)

Weekly blockers allowed a provider to define recurring times each week when they were not available (e.g., every Tuesday and Thursday from 12pm to 8pm).

<figure><img src="https://1289211425-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FSDEsicvUEa7h3PVCLlQC%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-23ce8f471e6dd5f4875a48c420853f5d354ccfe3%2Flegacy-weekly-settings.png?alt=media" alt="Legacy Weekly Availability settings showing blockers on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12pm to 8pm"><figcaption><p>The legacy Weekly Availability settings page under Settings > Availability > Weekly.</p></figcaption></figure>