Help & FAQ - BreakCalc

Frequently asked questions

What is BreakCalc?

BreakCalc builds fair, reliable break and rest schedules for teams on complex shifts. You set the team size, the shift window, and the rules, then it generates a schedule you can review on a visual timeline, fine-tune, save as a template, and export.

Do I need an account or an internet connection?

No. BreakCalc has no accounts and runs entirely on your device, so it works offline. An internet connection is only needed if you open a shared template link — you can also import a template offline by pasting its code.

How do I create my first schedule?

Enter the number of people and breaks per person, set the shift start and end times, then tap Generate. Review the result in the Summary, Timeline, and List tabs.

What is the difference between a Fixed Break and a No-break Period?

A Fixed Break locks one person's break to an exact time you choose, and the engine schedules everyone else around it. A No-break Period blocks a time window so no breaks are placed there — for everyone, or only for selected people. Both are set in Advanced Constraints.

What are multipliers, and what is Ratio vs Fixed mode?

These are two separate controls. In Team Details, each person has a Multiplier that scales their total break time relative to others (1.5 means 50% more than someone at 1.0). Separately, in Break Rules → Break Durations you pick how break lengths are defined: Ratio gives each break a relative weight, while Fixed sets each break's exact length in minutes (for example 30, 45).

How do I save, share, and import templates?

Save your setup as a template from the Templates menu. Tap a saved template to load it, or use its 3-dot menu to rename, update, share, or delete it. Share sends a link or QR code; to import, open a link, scan a QR code, or paste the code (paste works offline).

How do I set alarms, add to calendar, or export?

In the generated results, tap a break card to set an alarm for the start or end of the break (the end alarm rings a customizable buffer early, to wake you before the rest ends) or add it to your calendar. You can also export the schedule as text, an image, PDF, or CSV.

Why won't my schedule fit, or why is there unused time?

Usually the constraints are too tight or too loose. For tighter packing, try more breaks per person, more simultaneous breaks, or a smaller Minimum Buffer. If breaks won't fit at all, widen the shift window, loosen No-break Periods, raise capacity, or enable Auto-Split (a last resort that splits a break when it can't fit in one piece).

Can I adjust the schedule after generating it?

Yes. On the Timeline, tap Edit schedule to enter edit mode, then tap any break for its options: pin the break, move the break, add a No-break Period for that period, or set the break capacity for that period. Regenerate to apply your changes — changed items stay highlighted until you do.

Advanced tips & tricks

BreakCalc's engine is flexible. By combining a few basic tools you can solve complex, real-world constraints.

1. Staggered shifts

Goal: The main shift is 08:00–20:00, but one person arrives at 10:00.

Solution: Set the window to the full shift and, in Advanced Constraints, add a No-break Period from 08:00 to 10:00 for that person only. If they work fewer hours and should get less rest, lower their multiplier in Team Details.

2. Role-based coverage

Goal: Two people with the same critical role can't rest at the same time.

Solution: In Advanced Constraints, give each of the two a Fixed Break in a non-overlapping window. Leave the rest of the team with no Fixed Breaks or No-break Periods, so the engine is free to schedule everyone else automatically around the two you locked.

3. All-hands meeting

Goal: The whole team must be present for a mid-shift briefing.

Solution: In Advanced Constraints, add a No-break Period for that time and apply it to everyone. The engine packs all breaks before and after the meeting.

4. Rush hour (dynamic capacity)

Goal: Normally 3 people can rest at once, but only 1 during the busiest hour.

Solution: In Advanced Constraints, add a Dynamic Capacity Limit for that hour with max simultaneous rests set to 1. Capacity limits are for reducing how many people can rest at once; to block breaks entirely, use a No-break Period instead.

5. Handover and turnover gaps

Goal: Each break should be followed by a short gap — to brief the next person or reset the rest spot — before the slot is used again.

Solution: In Break Rules → Buffer & Capacity, set a Minimum Buffer. The engine keeps that gap after every break before the same slot is reused, so breaks never run back-to-back.

6. Custom break sizes

Goal: You have 3 breaks per person and want the middle one to be a fixed 30-minute lunch.

Solution: In Break Rules → Break Durations, switch the mode to Fixed and enter 30 in the middle break's box. The engine locks that break to 30 minutes while still sizing the other breaks automatically.

7. Front- or back-loading breaks

Goal: The team prefers to take breaks early in the shift, or to save them for the final hours.

Solution: In Break Strategy, set Placement to Early or Late (the default is Middle). This relies on having unused time in the window — if breaks fill it completely, there is nothing to shift.

8. Teams across time zones

Goal: Coordinate a shift that spans time zones, or record times in UTC.

Solution: In Schedule Settings, set the Break Window time zone to UTC and enter times in UTC. Alarms and calendar events are automatically converted to each device's local time.