Buffers between appointments

Buffers add automatic padding before or after appointments — so there's always a gap between sessions for you to clean up, prep, take notes, or just breathe.

How buffers work

When a buffer is set on a service type, Arketa automatically blocks off that time around each booking. Clients won't see buffer time — they just see the appointment duration. The calendar will show the appointment as taking longer, blocking that slot from being double-booked.

Example: A 60-minute massage has a 15-minute buffer after. The appointment runs 10:00–11:00am. The next available slot starts at 11:15am, giving you time to change linens and prepare the room.

Set up a buffer

Buffers are configured on the service type:

1. Go to Setup → Service Types → Appointments
2. Edit the service type
3. Look for Buffer time in the advanced or scheduling settings
4. Set the buffer duration before and/or after the appointment
5. Save

Buffers and booking windows

Buffers interact with your start time increments. If you have 30-minute increments and a 15-minute after buffer on a 60-minute session, the next bookable slot will be at 90 minutes from the start (60-min session + 15-min buffer, rounded to the next 30-min increment).