---
title: "Use availability buffers (Schedule Engine)"
slug: "use-availability-buffers-schedule-engine"
updated: 2026-10-16T03:17:08Z
published: 2026-10-16T03:17:08Z
canonical: "help.servicetitan.com/use-availability-buffers-schedule-engine"
---

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

# Use availability buffers (Schedule Engine)

## Overview

Availability buffers allow you to define the soonest possible appointment times that your Schedule Engine Scheduler will offer to customers both on website and through live services.

> [!NOTE]
> **Note:** This feature applies only to the legacy Schedule Engine. ServiceTitan customers are encouraged to transition to [Scheduling Pro](/v1/docs/scheduling-pro), an upgraded tool designed to replace Schedule Engine on your website and provide a seamless booking experience.

## 

---

### 

#### Who uses this feature

- Administrators, Office Employees, Managers, Technicians, Customer Service Representatives (CSRs), Dispatchers.
- Applies to all business types.

## 

## Use case

- Your office is too busy and despite having availability in our FSM, you need to block customers from booking Preventative Maintenance for the next few months.

## Set up a buffer

With buffers, you can:

- Define the buffer area using service Zones.
- Define services, including trades and service codes.
- Set durations for how long appointments should be buffered in days or hours, using a rolling time block.
- Create descriptive labels to delineate between buffers.

To set up a buffer:

1. Go to [https://provider.scheduleengine.net/settings/operations/advanced-scheduling/buffers](https://provider.scheduleengine.net/settings/operations/advanced-scheduling/buffers).
2. Click **Settings > Advanced Scheduling** and go to the *Buffers* tab. ![Advanced scheduling interface showing buffer settings and appointment management options.](https://cdn.document360.io/961862ab-d0f2-4d91-bb62-a62ee8184eff/Images/Documentation/use-availability-buffers-schedule-engine-image-om7yn8xe.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-01T02%3A49%3A21Z&se=2026-11-01T03%3A49%3A21Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=7PtJBCzHcaNrDJanvwqW6y%2BaZPy%2FdD0sG2Fr8HomG1A%3D)
3. Click the **Add** (need image) button (highlighted in the image above).
4. On the *New Buffer* window that opens, select the branches and service zones to which you would like to assign a buffer and click **Next**.
  1. (Optional) You can choose to apply your selections to all trades and service codes for the blocked dates by checking the box next to this option. ![Interface for defining buffer area with branch selection options displayed.](https://cdn.document360.io/961862ab-d0f2-4d91-bb62-a62ee8184eff/Images/Documentation/use-availability-buffers-schedule-engine-image-4isw9jug.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-01T02%3A49%3A21Z&se=2026-11-01T03%3A49%3A21Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=7PtJBCzHcaNrDJanvwqW6y%2BaZPy%2FdD0sG2Fr8HomG1A%3D)
5. Define the trade and service codes for your buffer and click **Next**.
  1. (Optional) You can choose to apply your selections to all trades and service codes for the blocked dates by checking the box next to this option.
  2. (Optional) Toggle the slider to only show trades and service codes already in use. ![Interface for defining services with options for trades and service codes selection.](https://cdn.document360.io/961862ab-d0f2-4d91-bb62-a62ee8184eff/Images/Documentation/use-availability-buffers-schedule-engine-image-753f8diu.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-01T02%3A49%3A21Z&se=2026-11-01T03%3A49%3A21Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=7PtJBCzHcaNrDJanvwqW6y%2BaZPy%2FdD0sG2Fr8HomG1A%3D)
6. Define for how long appointments should be buffered, using either days or hours and click **Next**.
  1. (Optional) Toggle the slider to apply a specific date and time to your buffer. You need to choose the applicable timezone, start date, and start time, and whether you would like to include an expiration date and time.
  2. (Optional) You can include a message for customers to read on the Scheduler Calendar (280 characters maximum). ![](https://cdn.document360.io/961862ab-d0f2-4d91-bb62-a62ee8184eff/Images/Documentation/use-availability-buffers-schedule-engine-image-mwasmhqa.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-01T02%3A49%3A21Z&se=2026-11-01T03%3A49%3A21Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=7PtJBCzHcaNrDJanvwqW6y%2BaZPy%2FdD0sG2Fr8HomG1A%3D)
7. Enter a descriptive label name for the out-of-service date (maximum of 100 characters) and click **Finish**. The blocked dates then appear in your *Blocked Dates* list. ![Interface for creating a new buffer with a descriptive label for HVAC training.](https://cdn.document360.io/961862ab-d0f2-4d91-bb62-a62ee8184eff/Images/Documentation/use-availability-buffers-schedule-engine-image-yp5hvnfe.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-01T02%3A49%3A21Z&se=2026-11-01T03%3A49%3A21Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=7PtJBCzHcaNrDJanvwqW6y%2BaZPy%2FdD0sG2Fr8HomG1A%3D)

ServiceTitan's advanced scheduling add-on that adds smart capacity management, technician skill matching, and zone-based booking rules.

**What it does:** Ensures the right technician is booked for the right job at the right time, maximizing daily revenue and reducing travel waste.

**Also called:** Advanced scheduling, Smart scheduling

**Tags:** Scheduling Pro

[See the full glossary →](https://help.servicetitan.com/docs/glossary-overview)

A zone is a group of zip codes. Zones are generally used for organizational purposes. By setting up Zones in ServiceTitan, a color coded system will be created to help you organize jobs in certain locations both on the Dispatch Board and the Schedule Page. You may refer to zones as service areas within your business.

[Learn more →](https://help.servicetitan.com/docs/servicetitan-glossary) · [See the full glossary →](https://help.servicetitan.com/docs/glossary-overview)