Quick Start: Channel Schedules

Turn a channel into a predictable rhythm—each occurrence is a clear “bundle” on the calendar

A Channel Schedule is a named, repeating pattern for one channel (for example “Weekly Email” or “First Wednesday Newsletter”). It defines how often it repeats (weekly, monthly by weekday, or monthly by date), which day it hits, a start date, how many comms belong in each occurrence (min, optional max), and a color so each Schedule is easy to spot on the Calendar—a colored block on each date where it runs. You place comms in a Schedule so they’re part of that send bundle.

Channel Schedules are available on Plus (schedule-enabled) plans.

Quick Start: Channel Preferences are separate (preferred weekday, excluded days). You can use both. Lock keeps comms inside Schedules on the calendar—see below.

Set it up

1. Open Channels from the sidebar.
2. Expand the channel.
3. Open Schedule and turn it on, then fill in the fields.

Fields: Schedule name (shows on calendar blocks), Color, Repeats and timing (weekly, monthly by weekday, or monthly by date—including “every N” week(s) or month(s), weekday or day of month), Start date, Min comms, optional Max comms. Save when you’re done.

Turn off removes schedule assignments but keeps comms on the calendar on their dates. Clear removes the schedule setup more fully (confirmations cover assignments and comms).

Lock (padlock next to Schedule): comms for that channel must sit inside Schedules on the calendar, not loose on the day. You may get auto-assign or lock only; stragglers can land under Needs Schedule Assignment (desktop, when Schedules are visible). Until you lock, Quick Start: Channel Preferences can still guide placement—with Lock, comms stay in Schedules.

Where it applies

Calendar — On desktop, when a schedule occurs on a date, you see a Schedule on that channel row (name, color, comms inside). Drag comms into the Schedule to assign that occurrence; reorder inside the Schedule; drag the Schedule to move the occurrence (excluded weekdays for the channel still block bad moves). Remove can drop that occurrence from the calendar without deleting the whole schedule definition. Copy / paste between Schedules on the same channel duplicates comms where capacity allows.

Locked — You can’t drop comms on “open” space for that channel—you drop into the Schedule. Needs Schedule Assignment lists comms that still need to be placed in a Schedule.

Capacity — Each Schedule shows under min, on track, or full; dashed placeholders until min is met; max stops more drops until something moves.

Campaign Schedule — The same Schedule UI and rules when Schedules are shown on the grid (toggle). Drag a channel from the list into the grid; blocked vs preferred highlights match the main calendar. A locked channel with every slot full may move to a capacity section. Smart Template preview runs before you commit.

Smart Templates — Follow Schedule when that channel has a schedule (often Follow Schedule: [name]). Comms go in that channel’s schedule windows for the relevant weeks, respecting min/max where possible. Locked channels require Follow Schedule in the template UI. Preview shows where comms land and why. Legacy templates may suggest a Smart Template so placement matches Communicate.

Additional Resources

• Quick Start: Channel Preferences — preferred weekday and excluded days.
• Channel Preferences and Schedules — combined walkthrough.
• Channels — manage your channel list.
• Calendar — week and day planning.
• Campaigns — Campaign Schedule.
• Templates — Smart Templates.

Browse Documentation for all guides, or email [email protected] with questions.