F6: Public Availability Page With Slots
Introduction
Alright, guys, let's dive into the F6 feature: a basic public page that renders available slots using the availability engine. Think of it as the initial step towards allowing users to view available time slots without yet having the ability to create appointments. This feature is all about laying the groundwork and ensuring that the display of slots is clean and functional. The primary goal here is to build a read-only view that integrates seamlessly with our existing system. We aim to provide a user-friendly experience where potential clients can easily see when a professional is available, setting the stage for future appointment booking functionalities. So, let’s break down what this entails and how we’re making it happen.
Read-Only Availability Display: This is the heart of the F6 feature. The public page, accessed via the /{slug} route, will display a calendar interface showing available time slots for a specific professional. This display is purely for viewing purposes; users cannot create appointments directly from this page. This read-only approach allows us to focus on ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the availability data before we introduce appointment creation functionalities. The calendar should be intuitive, allowing users to quickly scan for openings that fit their schedules. By focusing on a clean and simple display, we minimize potential confusion and ensure a positive user experience right from the start.
Placeholder Services: For this initial phase, the services displayed are placeholders. This means that the actual services offered by the professional may not be fully detailed or customizable at this stage. Instead, we’re focusing on the core functionality of displaying availability. The placeholder services serve as a stand-in until we integrate the full range of service options. This approach allows us to iterate quickly and ensure that the availability engine is functioning correctly before we add the complexity of service customization. The placeholder services are designed to be easily replaced with actual service details in subsequent updates.
Slug-Based Access: Access to the public page is via a unique slug (/{slug}) associated with each professional. This slug acts as an identifier, allowing the system to retrieve the correct availability information for the corresponding professional. The slug is designed to be human-readable and SEO-friendly, making it easier for users to share and access the page. Proper slug management is crucial for ensuring that the correct information is displayed and that the page is easily accessible.
Acceptance Criteria
To ensure the F6 feature meets our standards, we have established clear acceptance criteria. These criteria serve as a checklist to verify that the functionality is working as expected and that the user experience is up to par. Let's take a closer look at what these criteria entail.
GET /{slug} Displays Calendar of Available Slots
Firstly, a GET request to the /{slug} route should render a calendar displaying available time slots. This is the core functionality of the F6 feature. The calendar should be visually clear and easy to navigate, allowing users to quickly identify available slots. The time slots displayed should accurately reflect the professional's availability as determined by the availability engine. The display should be dynamic, updating in real-time as the professional's availability changes. This ensures that users always see the most up-to-date information. The calendar should also include appropriate labels and formatting to make it easy for users to understand the displayed information. For example, the date and time of each slot should be clearly indicated.
Furthermore, it's important that the calendar does not allow users to create appointments at this stage. This is a read-only view, and the focus is solely on displaying availability. Any attempts to interact with the calendar to create an appointment should be disabled or clearly indicate that this functionality is not yet available. This helps to manage user expectations and avoid confusion. The calendar should also be responsive, adapting to different screen sizes and devices to ensure a consistent user experience across all platforms.
Error 404 for Non-Existent Slug or Suspended Professional
Secondly, the system should return a 404 error in two specific scenarios: when the provided slug does not exist or when the corresponding professional is suspended. This is crucial for maintaining data integrity and providing a clear indication to the user that something is not right. A 404 error should be displayed when a user attempts to access a /{slug} route that does not match any existing professional in the system. This prevents users from accessing invalid or non-existent pages.
Additionally, a 404 error should also be displayed when a user attempts to access the page of a professional who has been suspended. This ensures that suspended professionals are not publicly accessible and that their availability is not displayed. The 404 error message should be clear and informative, guiding the user to understand that the page they are trying to access is not available. This can be achieved by providing a simple message such as "Page Not Found" or "This professional is currently unavailable." The error page should also include links to other relevant pages, such as the homepage or a contact page, to help users find what they are looking for.
Conclusion
The F6 feature is a foundational step towards building a comprehensive appointment scheduling system. By focusing on a read-only display of available slots and implementing robust error handling, we are laying the groundwork for future enhancements. This feature allows potential clients to easily view when a professional is available, setting the stage for more advanced functionalities. This ensures a smooth and intuitive user experience. As we move forward, we will build upon this foundation by adding appointment creation capabilities and integrating full service details. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to enhance the F6 feature and bring you a more complete appointment scheduling solution!