> ## 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.

# Swapping shifts with a colleague

> Trade or hand over a shift directly with a colleague on a published roster — useful for last-minute plans, study days, or emergencies.

When something comes up at short notice and you can't make your shift, you don't need to chase an admin. Open the roster, pick a colleague, and confirm — the change is live the moment you tap **Confirm**.

## Before you start

* The roster needs to be **Published**. Drafts can't be swapped on.
* You need to be **signed in** to your PlanMyRounds account. If you've opened a shared public link, you'll be prompted to log in first.

## Start a swap

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the roster">
    Find the roster under **Duty Plans**, or open the public share link your team uses.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Find your shift">
    Locate the shift you want to give up on the calendar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Tap the swap icon">
    Select the swap icon on your shift assignment. The **Swap Duties** panel opens, showing your shift date and shift type.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Let it find options">
    PlanMyRounds searches for colleagues who are available and eligible. This takes a couple of seconds.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Choose a swap partner

The panel groups options by colleague. For each colleague you may see:

* **Swap options** — a specific date and shift they're already working, which you would take in return. These are ranked by best match.
* **Transfer option** — the colleague takes your shift with nothing in return (single-arrow icon). Appears when they have a free slot on your shift's date.

PlanMyRounds ranks options by:

* **Scheduling fairness** — how it affects workload across the team.
* **Hours balance** — keeping monthly hours roughly even.
* **Preference compatibility** — respecting shifts-to-avoid and other preferences.

Pick the option that works best for you.

<Note>
  If no colleagues are available, the panel explains why. The most common reasons: every other doctor already has a duty on those dates, or a swap would break a [rest rule](/docs/rosters/roster-constraints).
</Note>

## Confirm

After selecting an option, a confirmation panel shows exactly what changes — for you *and* your colleague. Review it and select **Confirm**.

The roster updates instantly and both of you receive a notification.

<Warning>
  Swaps are re-validated at the moment you confirm, not just when the options load. If the roster has changed in the last few seconds (for example, an admin edited it), you may be asked to refresh and try again.
</Warning>

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="How swaps are confirmed" icon="circle-check" href="/docs/swaps/approving-a-swap">
    Understand the auto-confirmation flow and the safety checks behind it.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Viewing swaps on a roster" icon="eye" href="/docs/swaps/viewing-a-swap">
    See your updated assignment after a swap goes through.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>