# Planner Overview

## What is the Planner? 

In **Maica**, the Planner is the primary location for Rostering and Scheduling. It is a versatile tool that is the recommended location to create, manage, edit and view your [`Appointments`](https://knowledge.maica.com.au/maica-knowledge-base/getting-started/maica-key-concepts/appointment) and [`Shifts`](https://knowledge.maica.com.au/maica-knowledge-base/getting-started/maica-key-concepts/shift), as well as manage `Unavailability`. The Planner is at the core of powering the **Maica** lifecycle. 

## Planner Function Overview

The Planner offers multiple [**Views**](https://knowledge.maica.com.au/maica-knowledge-base/the-planner/planner-views-and-modes) and [**Modes**](https://knowledge.maica.com.au/maica-knowledge-base/the-planner/planner-views-and-modes), and includes key [**Actions**](https://knowledge.maica.com.au/maica-knowledge-base/the-planner/planner-actions) such as Managing Unavailability and Appointment Optimisation. The Planner also offers the ability for you to apply [**Filters**](https://knowledge.maica.com.au/maica-knowledge-base/the-planner/planner-filter) to refine and customise your view. 

For further information on the Planner functions, please click here: 

* [Planner Views & Modes](https://knowledge.maica.com.au/maica-knowledge-base/the-planner/planner-views-and-modes)
* [Planner Actions](https://knowledge.maica.com.au/maica-knowledge-base/the-planner/planner-actions)
* [Planner Filter](https://knowledge.maica.com.au/maica-knowledge-base/the-planner/planner-filter)

## Appearance Guide

The `Appearance Guide` button is located at the bottom of the Planner, indicated by an `arrow` button, as shown below. 

<figure><img src="https://2670482622-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FhehRshYIRk6XUlay9L3b%2Fuploads%2FiptArH9X6a4JO4sNHCtV%2Fplanner%20legend.png?alt=media&#x26;token=27267aaf-1a0c-4b6f-985f-220f8b7469a7" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Simply clicking the `arrow` button reveals a legend that outlines the colours and indicators used within the Planner to represent different Appointment statuses and types, as shown below.

<figure><img src="https://2670482622-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FhehRshYIRk6XUlay9L3b%2Fuploads%2F8BZK7NSZGuBumkLUaBXX%2Fplaner%20legend%20expand.png?alt=media&#x26;token=6b9019d1-f9b4-47a7-8fbf-98a543ed983d" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

This guide will help you quickly determine the type and status of each appointment at a glance, right from the Planner.

{% hint style="info" %}
To learn how to customise your Planner to your organisations desire, please refer to the [Planner Management](https://app.gitbook.com/s/9selzjEx6KX7RYEawAVr/settings/planner-management) section in the **Maica** settings.&#x20;
{% endhint %}

## Timezone Indicator

To help users understand how Appointment times are displayed, the Planner now includes a **Timezone Indicator**, as shown below.

<figure><img src="https://2670482622-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FhehRshYIRk6XUlay9L3b%2Fuploads%2Fw9anLEZx4vwW11eXE9Gk%2Ftimezone%20indicator.png?alt=media&#x26;token=612ae663-1d12-47e4-89b9-7b271de58b12" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### How It Works

* The globe icon indicator shows the **current browser timezone** (e.g. *Melbourne*).
* Hovering over the icon reveals a tooltip: **"Your current Time Zone."**
* This helps you know whether the times shown in the Planner are adjusted to your own timezone or reflect a target timezone set on the Appointment.

{% hint style="success" %}
This is especially useful for distributed teams working across multiple time zones, ensuring everyone understands the context of time-based views.
{% endhint %}