> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.sesami.co/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.sesami.co/booking/availability/buffer-times.md).

# Buffer Times

Buffer Times help ensure you have enough time before or after an appointment.

They can be used to provide travel time, preparation time, cleanup time, or simply prevent last-minute bookings.

## Setting Up Buffer Times

1. Go to **Sesami Admin Portal > 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 from the current time |

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

{% 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 %}

## 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         |

#### Before Each Appointment

Use this option when staff needs preparation time before every booking.

If you set **30 minutes** before each appointment:

* A 2:00 PM appointment will block availability starting at 1:30 PM.

You won't be able to book another appointment that overlaps with that preparation time.

#### After Each Appointment

Use this option when staff need time after an appointment.

If you set **15 minutes** after each appointment:

* A 2:00 PM appointment ending at 3:00 PM will keep the calendar unavailable until 3:15 PM.

This is useful for cleanup, notes, or preparing for the next customer.

#### Before the First Appointment on the Same Day

Use this option when you need advance notice before accepting same-day appointments.

If you set **120 minutes (2 hours)**:

* At 8:00 AM, customers can only book appointments starting at 10:00 AM or later.
* At 1:00 PM, customers can only book appointments starting at 3:00 PM or later.

This setting is always calculated from the current time and updates throughout the day.

Common uses include:

* Travel time
* Setup time
* Preparation time
* Preventing last-minute bookings<br>

It can also be used to require bookings a certain number of hours or days in advance.

If you want customers to book at least **24 hours in advance**, set the buffer to **1440 minutes (1 day)**. For **48 hours' notice**, set it to **2880 minutes (2 days)**, and so on.

{% hint style="success" %}
**Note:** Buffer times are always configured in minutes.
{% 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.

## 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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