RotaFlow builds a shift calendar from a repeating sequence of Day, Night and Off plus an anchor date. Presets include 4 on / 4 off, Pitman, Panama and DuPont; a custom sequence covers other D/N/O rotations.
A rotating shift calendar is different from a weekly appointment. The pattern might repeat every eight, 14 or 28 days, so copying the same Monday-to-Sunday week can put future shifts on the wrong dates. Define the whole cycle first; then place it on the calendar.
Write the complete repeat
Start with your published rota. Find the point where both the work/rest rhythm and the Day/Night assignment return to the beginning. A work/off pattern can repeat sooner than its complete Day/Night rotation.
RotaFlow’s base language remains D for Day, N for Night and O for Off. Optional working times add detail to Day and Night; they do not require new base shift types.
| Pattern example | Cycle length | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed 4 on / 4 off | 8 days | Whether workdays are Days or Nights |
| Fixed Pitman 2-2-3 | 14 days | The complete 2/2/3 work-rest sequence |
| Rotating Panama example | 28 days | Where Day shifts change to Nights |
| Custom D/N/O | Your complete repeat | The exact sequence and starting position |
Treat a preset as a starting point
Named patterns can have local variants. Select the preset whose preview matches your rota, not simply the one whose name sounds familiar. Inspect the complete cycle before saving.
The website demonstration includes illustrative variants. It is not the native Swift scheduling engine, and it does not model employer rules, swaps, leave or pay. Use it to understand repetition, then validate the actual app setup.
Anchor the pattern to a known shift
Choose a date that corresponds to a known position in the cycle. The first date displayed should match what you actually work, not merely the current month or the day you install the app.
Check several landmarks: a Day shift, a Night shift where relevant, the beginning of a rest block and the return to work. If every date is displaced by the same amount, review the anchor before changing the cycle.
Leave the pattern intact when life changes
Use special days for leave or other supported one-off assignments, swaps for changed shifts and overtime records for extra work. Those records sit alongside the base schedule rather than forcing a new pattern every time.
For a genuinely permanent rota change, configure the intended new schedule carefully. A separate profile can preserve another schedule you still need to refer to.
Feature FAQ
Can I create a custom pattern?
Yes. Build a repeating Day, Night and Off sequence instead of choosing a preset.
Are all 2-2-3 patterns identical?
No. Work/rest patterns and Day/Night rotations can differ. Match the entire preview to your own rota.
Can I use early and late as extra base types?
This redesign preserves RotaFlow’s Day / Night / Off model. It does not advertise an arbitrary custom-shift-type engine. Use supported working-time settings and special-day options where appropriate.