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

# Schedule playlists by time and day of week

> Create time-based schedules to play specific playlists on specific days, with priority control for overlapping windows.

Schedules let you override a screen's default playlist during defined time windows. You choose which screen plays which playlist, when it starts and ends, which days of the week it applies, and how important it is relative to other schedules on the same screen. When a schedule's window is active, Piksel plays its assigned playlist instead of the screen's default.

## How schedule resolution works

At any given moment, Piksel checks all active schedules for a screen and finds those whose time window includes the current time and day. If more than one schedule matches, the one with the highest **priority** value wins. When no schedule matches, the screen falls back to its directly assigned default playlist.

<Info>
  Smart rules take precedence over schedules. If a smart rule is currently active on a screen, it overrides any matching schedule. The full resolution order is: **Smart Rule → Schedule → Default playlist**.
</Info>

## Creating a schedule

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Schedules">
    Navigate to **Schedules** in the dashboard sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click New schedule">
    Select the screen and the playlist you want to play during this window.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set the time range">
    Enter a **start time** and **end time** using 24-hour format (`HH:MM:SS`). For example, `09:00:00` to `17:00:00` covers 9 AM to 5 PM.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose the days of the week">
    Select which days the schedule is active. Days are represented as numbers:

    | Value | Day       |
    | ----- | --------- |
    | `0`   | Sunday    |
    | `1`   | Monday    |
    | `2`   | Tuesday   |
    | `3`   | Wednesday |
    | `4`   | Thursday  |
    | `5`   | Friday    |
    | `6`   | Saturday  |

    By default, all seven days are selected.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set an optional date range">
    If the schedule should only apply during a specific period, enter a **start date** and **end date**. Leave these blank for a schedule that repeats indefinitely.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set the priority">
    Enter a priority number. Higher numbers take precedence when multiple schedules overlap. For example, a schedule with priority `10` overrides one with priority `5` if both match the current time.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save the schedule">
    Click **Create**. The schedule becomes active immediately if the current time falls within the window and the **Active** toggle is on.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Enabling and disabling a schedule

Each schedule has an **Active** toggle. When turned off, the schedule is ignored during resolution even if its time window matches. Use this to pause a schedule temporarily without deleting it.

## Priority and overlapping schedules

When two or more schedules on the same screen match the current time and day, Piksel uses the priority field to decide which one plays.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Example: weekday vs. weekend override">
    You have a default schedule for weekdays with priority `5` that plays a standard product playlist from 09:00 to 18:00. On Saturdays, you want a different promotional playlist during the same hours. Create a second schedule for Saturday only with priority `10` and the promotional playlist. On Saturdays, the higher-priority schedule wins.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Example: lunchtime special">
    A screen runs a general menu playlist all day at priority `0`. From 11:30 to 14:00 on weekdays you want a lunch promotion. Create a schedule for Monday–Friday, 11:30:00–14:00:00, priority `5`. During that window the lunch playlist plays; outside it, the general playlist resumes.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Deleting a schedule

Open the schedule from the list and click **Delete**, then confirm. Deleting a schedule does not affect the screen's default playlist or any media in your library.