> ## 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.

# How duty swaps work in PlanMyRounds

> Doctors can swap or hand over shifts directly with a colleague — no admin approval needed. Here's how it works and when to use it.

Last-minute changes happen — a family event, a study commitment, or simply a tough week. **Duty swaps** in PlanMyRounds let doctors handle these between themselves on a published roster, without waiting for an admin.

The scheduling engine checks every swap on the fly, so the roster stays compliant with your rules even when changes happen at speed.

## Two types of changes

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Swap" icon="arrows-rotate">
    A true exchange — you take your colleague's shift, they take yours. Shown with a **double-arrow** icon.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Transfer" icon="arrow-right">
    You hand off your shift to a colleague who has a free slot and nothing to give in return. Shown with a **single-arrow** icon.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## When can a doctor swap?

* The roster must be **Published**. Draft rosters cannot be swapped on.
* The doctor must be **signed in** to their PlanMyRounds account. Public link viewers will be prompted to log in first.
* The proposed change must not break any [scheduling rule](/docs/rosters/roster-constraints) — rest hours, back-to-back limits, and so on.

## How the flow works

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initiate">
    A doctor opens the roster and selects the swap icon on their own shift. See [Swapping shifts](/docs/swaps/requesting-a-swap).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a partner">
    PlanMyRounds shows eligible colleagues with valid swap or transfer options, ranked by fairness and fit.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Auto-confirm">
    On confirmation, the engine re-validates the change and applies it immediately. See [How swaps are confirmed](/docs/swaps/approving-a-swap).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Everyone sees the change">
    Both doctors get notified, and the [roster reflects the new assignments](/docs/swaps/viewing-a-swap) for everyone — including public link viewers.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Swap vs. admin edit

| Situation                                                 | Best tool                                         |
| --------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- |
| Two doctors want to trade their own shifts                | Duty swap                                         |
| Last-minute illness or emergency — admin needs to step in | [Admin edit](/docs/rosters/editing-a-published-roster) |
| Reversing a swap that shouldn't have happened             | [Admin edit](/docs/rosters/editing-a-published-roster) |
| Adding a doctor who isn't on the roster                   | [Admin edit](/docs/rosters/editing-a-published-roster) |

<Note>
  Swaps don't need admin approval, but admins can always step in and adjust assignments through the **Edit Roster** view.
</Note>

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Swapping shifts" icon="paper-plane" href="/docs/swaps/requesting-a-swap">
    Step through requesting a swap as a doctor.
  </Card>

  <Card title="How swaps are confirmed" icon="circle-check" href="/docs/swaps/approving-a-swap">
    Understand what happens the moment you tap Confirm.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>