HOW ROTAFLOW WORKS

A pattern, a date.
You’re on your way.

Your repeating Day, Night and Off sequence is the foundation. Start there, check it against your real rota, and add the extras only when you need them.

Choose your pattern.

Start with a familiar preset or build your own repeating Day, Night and Off sequence.

1D2D3N4N5O6O7O8O

Give it a starting point.

Match the first day of your cycle to a date you know. Check a few shifts against your actual rota.

Monday, 21 September 2026

Get on with your day.

See what is next. Add leave or swaps when things change. Your underlying rhythm stays in place.

Your rota, ready when you are.

Live preview

A rota that fits your real pattern.

Choose a common rotation or build your own Day, Night and Off cycle. Set its first date and see each shift fall into place across your calendar.

01 / Set your patternYour shift rotation

Repeats every 8 days

02 / First day of this cycleFirst day of this cycle

Choose a known first day of the cycle, then check the preview against your actual rota.

Website preview only. Nothing is saved or synced to the app. Confirm the pattern with your employer.

Calendar

September 2026

MAKE THE FIRST WEEK RIGHT

Know where
your cycle begins.

A pattern name alone is not enough. Two people on “4 on / 4 off” can be working on completely different days.

Understand rotating patterns

A useful first-run check

Match the sequence. Check that Day, Night and Off occur in the same order as your employer’s rota.
Match a known date. Anchor day one of the cycle to a date you can confirm—not just today.
Look across a boundary. Check the last day of one cycle and the first of the next, including a month change.
Add exceptions separately. A holiday or one-off swap should not move the entire rotation.

THEN, MAKE IT YOURS

More context.
Only when you need it.

Add working times and unpaid breaks for hours calculations. Set up reminders. Choose a widget. None of these steps replaces your D / N / O pattern.

Add working times & pay Set up reminders & widgets Add leave & shift changes Keep another schedule separate

GOOD TO KNOW

A few things you might be wondering.

Clear answers before you get started.

Ask us something else

Does it work with my shift pattern?

Use a preset such as 4 on / 4 off, or build your own Day, Night and Off rotation. Align the first day with a known date in your actual rota. Workplaces use different versions of named patterns, so check the sequence rather than the name alone.

Is RotaFlow free?

Yes. The app is free to download and includes core rota planning. RotaFlow Pro unlocks extended planning, advanced insights, more widgets and other premium tools. Monthly, yearly and lifetime options are available through the App Store.

Do I need to create an account?

No RotaFlow registration is needed for core planning. Your rota is local-first. Optional iCloud sync and shared Trade Board groups use Apple services and need the relevant iCloud setup.

Can I use it without adding shift times?

Yes. Day, Night and Off remain the foundation. Working times, unpaid breaks and pay settings are optional additions, not a requirement to use the calendar.

A pattern, a date.You’re on your way.