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

# Bookings Module

> AI-powered table booking management through voice and SMS

The Bookings Module enables Maple to handle table reservations through natural conversation. When a customer calls, the voice AI can check availability, book a table, modify an existing reservation, or cancel — all without staff involvement.

> [!NOTE]
>
> Maple can take your reservations itself (Maple bookings), or work with OpenTable. Additional providers are planned for future releases.

## How it works

When a customer calls to make a reservation, Maple’s voice AI handles the full booking flow:

1. ### Check availability

   The AI checks real-time availability for the requested date, time, and party size through your reservation provider.

2. ### Offer time slots

   Available time slots are presented to the customer, including any experience-based options (e.g., prix fixe, brunch specials).

3. ### Lock and confirm

   Once the customer selects a time, the slot is temporarily held while their details are confirmed (name, phone number, party size, special requests).

4. ### Create reservation

   The reservation is created in your provider (e.g., OpenTable) and the customer receives a confirmation.

## Supported actions

The voice AI can handle all common booking scenarios:

| Action              | Description                                               |
| ------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------- |
| **New reservation** | Book a table for a specific date, time, and party size    |
| **Change booking**  | Modify date, time, or party size of an existing booking   |
| **Cancel booking**  | Cancel an existing reservation                            |
| **Look up booking** | Find a reservation by confirmation number or phone number |

## OpenTable integration

OpenTable is the first supported reservation provider. To use bookings with OpenTable:

### Prerequisites

- ✅ Active OpenTable restaurant listing
- ✅ OpenTable Restaurant ID (RID)
- ✅ A Maple Pro plan, which includes reservations
- ✅ Bookings feature enabled in your agent configuration

### Setup

1. ### Connect OpenTable

   Provide your OpenTable Restaurant ID during onboarding. Maple connects to your OpenTable account to access real-time availability.

2. ### Enable bookings

   The bookings feature is enabled in your Maple agent configuration. Your voice AI will then offer booking capabilities to callers.

3. ### Test a reservation

   Call your Maple number and test the booking flow — check availability, create a reservation, and verify it appears in OpenTable.

### What syncs with OpenTable

- Real-time table availability and time slots
- Experience-based dining options (prix fixe, special events)
- Cancellation policies
- Dining area and table type preferences
- Reservation confirmations and changes

## Managing bookings

Bookings created through Maple appear in both:

- **Your reservation provider** (e.g., OpenTable) — managed alongside walk-ins and online bookings
- **Maple dashboard** — view booking history, linked calls, and analytics

Each booking is linked to the call that created or modified it, providing a full audit trail.

### Tables and booking rules

On Maple bookings, you set up your own floor. Open **Settings › Location › Bookings** (or **Edit tables** on the Bookings page). Managers can edit; staff can view.

- **Seating areas and tables**: name each area, add its tables with the fewest and most guests each seats, and join tables you push together for a larger party. Maple seats a party in the first area with a free table that fits, then tries the others. Choose the area you fill first with **Seat here first**. Leave a table’s most guests empty for no limit.
- **Reservation hours**: when reservations can start on each day. A day without hours takes no reservations.
- **Turn times**: how long a party holds its table, by party size.
- **Booking rules**: how close in and how far ahead guests can book, how often times are offered, and whether reservations confirm automatically or wait for you to accept them. Pacing limits how many guests arrive at once.
- **Cancellation policy**: the terms guests see. Maple doesn’t collect cards or fees yet.
- **Closed dates**: days the location is closed.

When you save, Maple checks your upcoming reservations first and lists any the change affects, like a party booked at a table you removed or at a time you’re no longer open. Saving keeps them booked; move or cancel them yourself if needed. Your menu isn’t affected, and changes apply to new availability right away. If someone else changed the setup while you were editing, Maple asks you to reload rather than overwrite their changes.

If OpenTable manages your reservations, set up your tables in OpenTable instead.

### Turn on Maple bookings

Saving your tables and booking rules doesn’t start taking reservations. When they’re ready, a manager opens **Settings › Location › Bookings** and chooses **Turn on bookings** at the top of the tab. Maple starts taking reservations for the location right away, and the **Bookings** page switches to your floor.

If OpenTable manages your reservations, contact Maple to switch to Maple bookings.

### Guest texts

On Maple bookings, Maple texts guests about their reservations: a confirmation (or, when you accept each request yourself, a note that you received it), a reminder before they arrive, and a text when their waitlist table is ready. Guest texts are on by default.

A manager can turn them off in **Settings › Location › Bookings** under **Text guests about their reservations**. Alerts to your staff aren’t affected. While guest texts are off, partner apps can’t tell a waiting party their table is ready either, so seat or remove the party instead.

### Blackout dates

Block days or times when your location is open but not taking reservations, like a private event, a holiday, or a walk-ins-only night. Open **Bookings** and choose **Blackout dates**, then add a first and last day, optionally a start and end time, and a note for your staff. Save to apply the list. Managers can edit it; staff can’t.

- Maple’s phone agent won’t book inside a blackout, and neither will partner apps connected to your location. On Maple bookings, guests can’t book those times online either.
- Walk-ins and the waitlist aren’t affected: you can still seat guests who arrive, so a walk-ins-only night works.
- Reservations you already have stay booked. Move or cancel them yourself if needed.
- If OpenTable manages your reservations, block the same dates in OpenTable too, so guests booking there can’t take them.

## Troubleshooting

**Availability not showing for my restaurant**

Verify that your OpenTable Restaurant ID is correctly configured. If you recently connected, allow a few minutes for the initial sync.

**Customer couldn't complete a reservation**

The time slot may not have been held at the moment of booking. When that happens, Maple tells the caller and can pass them to your staff to finish the booking.

**Reservation not appearing in OpenTable**

Confirm that the Maple-OpenTable connection is active in the dashboard. If the issue persists, contact Maple support.

**Customer wants to change a reservation**

Customers can call back and ask to change or cancel their booking. The AI can look up reservations by confirmation number or the phone number used when booking.

## Coming soon

- **Resy** integration — book tables through Resy-connected restaurants

## Next Steps

- [Set up Maple Voice Core](https://docs.maple.inc/voice-core/overview.md)
- [Add Orders Module](https://docs.maple.inc/orders/overview.md)
- [Return to Documentation Home](https://docs.maple.inc/index.md)