# Buffer Times

Buffer times add breathing room between appointments — time for cleanup, preparation, travel, or breaks.

## Setting Up Buffer Times

1. Go to **Sesami > Services > \[select a service] > Manage**
2. Scroll to the **Buffer Time** section
3. Configure the options:

| Option                                      | What it does                                           |
| ------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Before each appointment**                 | Blocks time before every booking                       |
| **After each appointment**                  | Blocks time after every booking                        |
| **Before the first appointment of the day** | Blocks time at the start of the day (e.g., setup time) |

4. Enter the buffer duration in minutes
5. Click **Save**

### Example

If you want customers to book at least **24 hours in advance**, set "Before each appointment" to **1440 minutes** (1 day).

{% hint style="info" %}
Buffer time appears in the Admin Calendar after a booking is created, but is **not visible** on the storefront calendar — it simply removes those time slots from availability.
{% endhint %}

## Fixed Time Schedules

If you need a fixed schedule with built-in breaks (rather than dynamic buffers), set your availability manually as intervals.

**Example** — 30-minute service with a 15-minute break:

* 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
* 9:45 AM – 10:15 AM
* 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM
* 11:15 AM – 11:45 AM

This approach gives you full control over exactly when slots are available.

## Common Setups

| Business type    | Before | After  | Why                     |
| ---------------- | ------ | ------ | ----------------------- |
| Hair salon       | —      | 15 min | Cleanup between clients |
| Consulting       | —      | 10 min | Notes and prep          |
| Cleaning service | 30 min | 30 min | Travel time             |
| Yoga class       | 15 min | 15 min | Room changeover         |

## Related

* [Same Day Bookings](/booking/availability/same-day-bookings.md) — control how close to the current time customers can book
* [Resource Availability](/booking/availability/resource-availability.md) — set up availability schedules
* [Flexible Slots](/booking/availability/flexible-slots.md) — control booking interval display


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