---
title: Channels (Overview)
description: Channels are a way to collect different types of appointments.
sidebar:
  order: 1
---

import {CardGrid} from "@astrojs/starlight/components";
import {LinkCard} from "@astrojs/starlight/components";

**Channels** are a way to collect different types of appointments. You can assign multiple [agents](../agents) to one channel and each agent can be assigned to multiple channels.

<CardGrid>
  <LinkCard
    title="Add Channel"
    href="./add-channel"
    description="Add a new channel to your instance"
  />
  <LinkCard
    title="Edit Channel"
    href="./edit-channel"
    description="Changing an channels details"
  />
  <LinkCard
    title="Pause Channel"
    href="./deactivate-channel"
    description="Stop taking new appointments for a channel"
  />
  <LinkCard
    title="Delete Channel"
    href="./delete-channel"
    description="Removing an channel"
  />
</CardGrid>

## Require Confirmation

You have full control over your calendar. This is why you can require clients to request a confirmation to make an appointment.

Therefore just check the option to **require confirmation** in the channel settings. When enabled, clients will be informed that their apppointment is just a request.

Once the request is added, staff members that are linked to the channel will be [notified using the notification system](../staff/notifications).

The notification will lead you to the appointment, where you can [confirm](../calendar/confirm-appointment) or [deny](../calendar/deny-appointment) it.

## Slot Templates

Channels use slot templates that automatically create available slots based on your settings. If you want one of your agents/ all you agents to be unavailable in a given timespan, you just have to [add an absence](../agents/add-absence) for them.

You can add as many schedule templates as you like. Each template consists of

- the weekdays you offer this appointment for (Monday, Tuesday, ...)
- the hours and minutes this template starts and ends (08:00 AM, 08:15 AM, ...)
- the duration of the slots within this template
