FAQ & Help Guide

ShiftCycle is a simple tool for tracking rotating shift patterns. Once you set up your shift schedule, you can instantly check whether you're working on any given date — no more counting days on your fingers or checking paper rotas!

There are two ways to set up your pattern:

• Use a preset: Select from common patterns like 2-on-2-off, 4-on-4-off, or continental shifts from the dropdown menu.
• Create custom: Click "Create Custom Pattern" and toggle the days on/off to match your unique schedule.

Don't forget to set your start date — this tells ShiftCycle when your pattern begins so it can calculate future dates correctly.

The start date is the first day of your shift pattern cycle. ShiftCycle uses this to calculate which day of your pattern any future date falls on.

For example, if you work a 4-on-4-off pattern and your start date is January 1st (a working day), then January 5th would be your first day off.

After setting up your pattern, you have two options:

• Check Date: Use the date picker to check any single date or a range of dates (great for planning holidays!).
• View Calendar: See your entire month at a glance with working days highlighted in green.

The calendar uses simple colour coding:

• Green = Working day
• Grey = Day off
• Yellow border = Today's date

Yes! In the "Check Shift Status" section, click "Date Range" and enter your first and last day of leave. ShiftCycle will show you exactly how many working days fall within that period — perfect for calculating how much annual leave you need to book.

No! You can use ShiftCycle without an account. Your pattern will be saved in your browser's local storage.

However, creating a free account gives you extra benefits — see below!

Creating a free account unlocks these benefits:

• Sync across devices: Access your pattern from your phone, tablet, or any computer.
• Never lose your data: Your pattern is safely stored in the cloud, even if you clear your browser or switch devices.
• Automatic backup: No need to remember to save — it's always synced.

It's quick and easy:

• Click the "Sign In" button in the top right corner.
• Select the "Sign Up" tab.
• Enter your email and choose a password.
• That's it! Your pattern will now sync automatically.

If you're signed in: Your pattern is automatically saved to the cloud and synced across all your devices. You'll see a "✓ Synced" indicator when it's saved.

If you're not signed in: Your pattern is saved in your browser's local storage. This means it will be there next time you visit on the same device, but won't be available on other devices.

To change your pattern, simply select a new preset or create a new custom pattern and save it. The new pattern will replace your old one.

To delete your pattern completely, click the "Clear Pattern" button in the Quick Actions section.

Common issues and fixes:

• Wrong start date: Make sure your start date is the actual first day of your pattern cycle.
• Pattern doesn't match: If using a preset, check it matches your actual rota. You may need to create a custom pattern.
• Pattern disappeared: If you cleared your browser data and weren't signed in, you'll need to set up your pattern again. Tip: Create an account to prevent this in future!

ShiftCycle is designed to work on all modern devices. Try these steps:

• Refresh the page
• Make sure JavaScript is enabled in your browser
• Try a different browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox)
• Clear your browser cache and try again

Still having issues? Send us feedback and we'll help!