> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.anny.co/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Smart Availability

> Link resources so that a single booking automatically blocks all dependent resources.

With Smart Availability you make several resources depend on each other, without customers having to select them separately during booking. For every booking, anny automatically checks the combined availability and blocks all linked resources. Smart Availability Groups extend this principle with grouped dependencies for more complex setups.

<Info>
  Activate the feature first under **Avatar** (top right) → **Account settings** → **Features** → **Smart Availability**.
</Info>

## How does Smart Availability work?

### Classic dependencies (linked resources)

You link resources through the **Resources** tab of a booking option. Under **Dependencies**, add more resources by drag and drop or via **+ Add**. For every booking, all linked resources are blocked automatically, without customers seeing or selecting them.

Requirement: the linked resources must have matching availability times and booking options.

### Smart Availability Groups

Smart Availability Groups extend the classic logic with **pools of resources**. Instead of blocking fixed dependencies, you define groups from which anny automatically picks suitable available resources.

For each group:

* At the desired time, **at least one resource from the group** must be available
* During booking, anny automatically reserves **one suitable resource per group**
* The same resource is **not booked twice** within the same booking

Resources can be attached to the service as linked resources and also referenced inside a group at the same time. Drag and drop them into the relevant group.

### What happens in the calendar?

Reserved dependent resources are blocked automatically through **sub-bookings**. The co-reserved resources are visible in the respective resource calendars and locked for other bookings.

## When do I use this?

* **You have divisible rooms** (e.g. remove a partition wall to create one large room): link the sub-rooms as dependencies of the combined room.
* **You need several resource types at once** (e.g. 2 staff members + 1 room): use Smart Availability Groups with one pool per type.
* **You have equipment pools that should be assigned automatically**: create a group with all available devices.
* **Customers should not see the dependencies**: linked resources are hidden during booking (crossed-out eye).
* **Not suitable for**: optional extras that customers should choose themselves. Use [Add-ons](/en/add-ons) for that.

## Settings & options

| Setting (admin)           | Description                                                    |
| ------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Linked resources          | All resources linked to the booking option                     |
| Dependencies              | Additional resources that are blocked automatically on booking |
| Visibility (eye)          | Hide dependent resources from customers                        |
| Smart Availability Groups | Pools of resources that anny picks from automatically          |
| Sub-bookings              | Reservations appear as blockers in resource calendars          |

<Warning>
  Individual child resources cannot be selected as a dependency. Do not use the same resource in more than two groups at once.
</Warning>

## Practical examples

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Divisible meeting room: two small rooms or one large one">
    An office has two meeting rooms (Cloud and Sea) separated by a partition wall. Without the wall, they form one large room (Forest Cabin). When Forest Cabin is booked, Cloud and Sea should be blocked automatically.

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Create three resources">
        Create three resources: "Meeting Room Cloud", "Meeting Room Sea" and "Meeting Room Forest Cabin" with matching availability times.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Open the booking option">
        Open the booking option of the large room "Forest Cabin" and switch to the **Resources** tab.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Add dependencies">
        Under **Dependencies**, add the resources "Cloud" and "Sea" by drag and drop or via **+ Add**.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Test">
        Book the meeting room Forest Cabin and check in the admin calendar whether Cloud and Sea appear as blockers automatically.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Couples massage with Smart Availability Groups">
    A wellness studio offers a couples massage that requires 2 different staff members and 1 treatment room to be available at the same time.

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Create the service">
        Create the service "Couples Massage" and add all qualified staff members as **linked resources**.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Group 1: second staff member">
        Under **Dependencies**, create a Smart Availability Group "Second Staff Member" and add all qualified staff members.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Group 2: treatment room">
        Create a second group "Rooms" and add all suitable treatment rooms.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Test">
        Book the couples massage and check whether anny automatically reserves 2 different staff members and 1 room. All reservations should appear as sub-bookings in the respective calendars.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## FAQ

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="What is the difference between classic Smart Availability and Groups?">
    Classic Smart Availability blocks fixed dependent resources. Groups define pools from which anny automatically picks available resources. Groups are meant for more flexible setups with several roles or resource types.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can the same resource be used twice in one booking?">
    No. anny prevents the same resource from being booked twice within the same booking.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can resources be linked and part of a group at the same time?">
    Yes. Resources can be attached to the service as linked resources and additionally be used inside a Smart Availability Group.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why were no dependent resources booked along with an admin booking?">
    If the **Check availability** option is disabled when creating the booking, dependent resources are not booked automatically.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does Smart Availability work with recurring bookings?">
    Yes. Since June 2026, recurring bookings are fully supported, including Smart Availability, pricing and quota calculation per appointment.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="The booking is not possible even though resources are available">
    Check whether at least one resource is available at the desired time in each Smart Availability Group. All groups must be satisfied.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="A resource was not booked automatically">
    Check whether this is an admin booking with the "Check availability" option disabled. In that case, dependent resources are deliberately not booked.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I see additional blocks in the resource calendars">
    This is expected behavior. Dependent resources are reserved automatically through sub-bookings and made visible in the respective calendars.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

> Important information for agents:
>
> * Activate feature: **Avatar** → **Account settings** → **Features** → **Smart Availability**
> * UI path: **Booking option** → **Resources** tab → **Dependencies**
> * Classic Smart Availability: fixed dependency, blocks linked resources on booking
> * Smart Availability Groups: grouped dependencies, at least one resource available per group, anny picks automatically
> * No individual child resources selectable as a dependency
> * Do not use the same resource in more than two groups
> * Admin bookings with availability check disabled: dependent resources are NOT co-booked
> * Sub-bookings: reserved dependent resources appear as blockers in the respective calendars
> * Smart Availability ≠ Add-ons: SA blocks transparently in the background, add-ons are visible to customers
> * Recurring bookings with SA: fully supported since 06/2026 (pricing, quota, per-appointment)
> * Drag and drop resources into groups when they should be both linked and in a group
> * Related articles: /en/add-ons, /en/configure-booking-option, /en/recurring-bookings