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

# Creating shifts in a roster

> Add one-off, recurring, or bulk-imported shifts to a roster from templates or from scratch, with built-in conflict and rest-rule validation.

Custom shift templates let you tailor PlanMyRounds to the way your department actually runs. Once a shift is created, it's available to pick when [building any roster](/docs/rosters/creating-a-roster).

<Note>
  Only admins can create or edit shift templates. If you don't see the **Create New Shift** button, your account doesn't have admin access.
</Note>

## Create a custom shift

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Shifts">
    Go to **Shifts** in the sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start a new shift">
    Select **Create New Shift** in the top right.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Name it">
    Enter a **Shift Name** your team will recognise \u2014 for example, *Morning OPD* or *Night ICU Cover*.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set the times">
    Pick a **Start Time** and **End Time**. The duration is calculated automatically. Overnight shifts that cross midnight are handled correctly.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set the headcount">
    Enter the **Required Doctors** \u2014 the minimum number of doctors needed to cover this shift each day it appears.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set the seniority floor (optional)">
    Enter the **Minimum Seniors Required** \u2014 how many of those doctors must be at senior level.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save">
    Select **Create Shift**. The new shift is immediately available the next time you create or edit a roster.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Recovery time settings

By default, each shift uses the recovery rules configured at the **roster** level (set in [Step 4 of the creation wizard](/docs/rosters/creating-a-roster#step-4-scheduling-rules)). You only need custom recovery times if this specific shift needs longer rest than your organisation's standard \u2014 for example, a long night shift that warrants extra recovery.

Toggle on **Use Custom Recovery Times** to override:

| Setting                        | What it does                                               | Minimum  |
| ------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------- | -------- |
| **After 1 Shift**              | Minimum rest hours required after working this shift once. | 8 hours  |
| **After 2 Consecutive Shifts** | Minimum rest hours required after two back-to-back shifts. | 16 hours |

<Warning>
  Setting custom recovery times significantly higher than the defaults can reduce scheduling flexibility \u2014 the engine has fewer valid assignments to choose from. A warning appears if your values are more than 50% above the standard minimums.
</Warning>

## Editing or removing a shift later

You can change a custom shift any time from its detail page \u2014 see [Viewing your shifts](/docs/shifts/viewing-shifts#edit-a-shift). Default shifts can't be edited or deleted.

Changes take effect for **future roster generation**. Already-published rosters keep the shift definitions they were built with.

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="View your shifts" icon="list" href="/docs/shifts/viewing-shifts">
    Find, search, and inspect everything in your shift library.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Create a roster" icon="wand-magic-sparkles" href="/docs/rosters/creating-a-roster">
    Use your new shift in a duty plan.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>