> ## 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.

# Waitlist

> Notify customers automatically as soon as a fully booked time slot becomes available again.

The waitlist automatically emails your customers when a previously booked-out time slot becomes available again. That way no demand goes to waste and your resources stay fully utilized.

<Info>
  Available from the Professional plan.
</Info>

## How does the waitlist work?

The waitlist kicks in as soon as all spots in a time slot are taken. Here is the flow:

1. A customer selects a resource and a date on the booking page.
2. If the desired period is fully booked, the message "The requested period is fully booked" appears.
3. By clicking **Join waitlist**, the customer sees a summary.
4. After confirming, the customer is added to the waitlist.
5. When the slot becomes free (for example through a cancellation), anny waits for the configured time delay.
6. If the slot is still free after the delay has passed, anny sends a notification by email.
7. The customer books the freed-up slot themselves. There is no automatic move-up.

The booking page only shows the waitlist button when a slot is actually fully booked. Waitlists are not offered for manually blocked periods (global blockers).

<Tip>
  The waitlist is fully managed by the system. You cannot add or remove entries manually.
</Tip>

## When do I use this?

* **You have resources that are regularly booked out**: The waitlist captures demand and makes sure freed-up spots are filled again quickly.
* **You want to fill cancellation gaps automatically**: Waiting customers are informed about new availability without any manual effort.
* **You offer events or courses with limited spots**: Customers can put themselves on the list instead of checking the booking page over and over.
* **Not suitable for**: Resources that are rarely booked out or where you want to assign bookings manually. In those cases the regular booking logic is enough.

## Settings & options

| Setting (admin)                      | Description                                                     |
| ------------------------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Allow customers to join the waitlist | Activates the waitlist for this resource                        |
| Time delay (in minutes)              | Waiting time between a slot freeing up and the email being sent |

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the resource">
    Under Resources, open the resource you want to activate a waitlist for. Go to the **Availabilities** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Activate the waitlist">
    Expand the waitlist using the >-arrow on the left and turn on the toggle at **Allow customers to join the waitlist**. Set the notification time delay.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Set the time delay to a few minutes (for example 5) if you want freed-up slots to be filled again quickly. A longer delay (for example 30 minutes) gives several waiting customers a fair chance at the same time.
</Tip>

## Practical examples

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Course provider with limited spots">
    A yoga studio offers courses with 12 spots. The courses are often fully booked, and customers should automatically find out when a spot opens up.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## FAQ

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Can unregistered users join the waitlist too?">
    No. The waitlist is only available for registered users. Guest bookings are not supported.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What happens if the slot is booked again during the time delay?">
    In that case no notification is sent. The email only goes out if the slot is still free once the delay has passed.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does the waitlist work with child resources?">
    Yes, the waitlist can also be activated for child resources. However, customers cannot put themselves on the list for a specific child resource, only for the main resource.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does the waiting person move up automatically?">
    No. The customer only receives a notification and then has to book the slot themselves.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="The waitlist button does not appear on the booking page">
    The waitlist only appears for slots that are actually fully booked. Check whether a global blocker is locking the period instead of a real booking-out. Waitlists are not shown for blockers.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Customers do not receive a notification email">
    Check the configured time delay. If the slot is booked again within the delay, no email goes out. Also make sure the customer has a valid email address on file.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The waitlist does not appear in the mobile app">
    The way the waitlist is displayed in the anny mobile app is still being improved. In the meantime, use the browser booking page.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

> Important information for agents:
>
> UI path: **Resources** > select resource > **Availability** > **Waitlist** section. Only kicks in for fully booked slots (all spots taken). For blocked periods (global blockers) NO waitlist is offered. No automatic move-up: notification only, customers book themselves. Only for registered users, not for guest bookings. For child resources: the waitlist applies to the main resource, no selection of a specific child resource possible. Time delay = waiting time in minutes between a slot freeing up and the email being sent. If the slot is taken again during that time, no email goes out. Dashboard widget "Waitlist by resource" shows active waitlist spots. Available from the Professional plan.