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

# Appointment-booking receptionist

> Build an agent that answers calls, checks a live calendar, and books real appointments while the caller is on the line.

This guide builds a receptionist that greets callers, checks real-time availability, and books appointments into your calendar during the call. It works the same way whether you use Cal.com or Google Calendar — you connect one calendar per phone number.

## What you'll build

An inbound agent that:

* Answers the call and understands what the caller wants
* Checks your live calendar for open slots
* Books the appointment and confirms it back to the caller

<Note>
  Booking is configured **per phone number**, not per agent. Each number connects its own calendar account, so one agent template can serve many businesses — each with its own calendar.
</Note>

## Before you start

* An agent created in your dashboard
* A phone number imported and attached to that agent
* A Cal.com account **or** a Google account with the calendar you want to book into

<Note>
  Connect **one** booking calendar per number — either Cal.com or Google Calendar, not both on the same number.
</Note>

## Steps

<Steps>
  <Step title="Connect your calendar to the number">
    In your dashboard, open the phone number and go to its integrations. Choose your calendar and connect the account:

    * **Cal.com** — paste your Cal.com API key and select the event type callers should book.
    * **Google Calendar** — sign in with Google and pick the calendar to book into.

    The connection is stored on that number, so the credentials belong to that number alone.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Tell the agent it can book">
    In your agent prompt, let the agent know booking is available and how to use it. Keep it natural — the agent checks availability and books through the connected calendar automatically when a caller asks for an appointment.

    ```text Agent prompt (excerpt) theme={null}
    You are the receptionist for Brightsmile Dental.
    You can check the calendar and book appointments for callers.

    When someone wants an appointment:
    - Ask what day and rough time suits them.
    - Offer the nearest open slots you find.
    - Confirm the appointment once it is booked, and read the time back clearly.

    Be warm, brief, and never invent a time that is not free.
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Let the engine handle the exact details">
    You do not script the availability check or the booking call — the agent does it live when the conversation calls for it. Availability and the confirmed time come from your real calendar, so the caller always hears accurate times.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Test it with a real call">
    Call your number and ask for an appointment. The agent should:

    * Offer times that are genuinely open on your calendar
    * Book the slot you choose
    * Confirm the booking out loud

    Then check your Cal.com or Google Calendar — the new event should be there.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What's next

* Add [Send SMS](/actions/send-sms) so the agent texts a confirmation after booking.
* Turn on [Post-call analysis](/advanced/post-call-analysis) to capture why each caller rang.
* Set up [Transfer](/actions/transfer) so complex requests reach a human.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Cal.com booking" icon="calendar" href="/actions/calcom">
    Full setup and behaviour for Cal.com bookings.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Google Calendar booking" icon="calendar" href="/actions/google-calendar">
    Full setup and behaviour for Google Calendar bookings.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>