---
title: "Multiple Open Windows"
description: "Set up multiple open windows per day, such as morning and afternoon shifts, using the Calendar feature."
contentType: "docs"
locale: "en"
localized: true
source: "https://orderrules.com/docs/store-hours/multiple-windows"
slug: "store-hours/multiple-windows"
---
## Accepting Orders in Multiple Time Blocks

Some businesses need to accept orders during separate windows in a single day. For example, a restaurant might take breakfast orders from 7 AM to 10 AM and dinner orders from 4 PM to 8 PM, with a gap in between.

## How to Set Up Split Schedules

OrderRules supports multiple open windows per day through the **Calendar** feature combined with your weekly schedule.

### Option 1: Use Your Primary Window in the Schedule

1. Go to **Schedule** and set your main open window for the day (for example, 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM)
2. Click **Save**

Then use the **Calendar** to add a second window:

1. Go to **Calendar**
2. Click **Add Special Date**
3. Select the day (or set it as a recurring pattern)
4. Choose **Custom Hours**
5. Set the second window (for example, 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM)
6. Click **Save**

### Option 2: Set the Widest Window

If your gaps are short, you can set one continuous window that covers both periods:

```
Open: 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
```

This approach is simpler but does not enforce the midday closure. Use this when you are okay accepting a few orders during the gap.

## Example: Morning and Afternoon Service

```
Morning window:   7:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Afternoon window: 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Closed:           11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
```

During the closed gap, checkout is blocked and customers see your custom closed message with the next opening time.

### Two ways to run split hours

| Approach | How | Enforces the gap? |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule + Calendar override | Main window in Schedule, second window as a Custom Hours date | Yes — checkout is blocked between the windows |
| One wide window | A single continuous window covering both periods | No — orders land during the gap too |

Use the first when the midday closure is real. Use the second only when a few orders arriving in the gap is acceptable.

## Customer Experience

When your store is between windows, customers see:

- A banner indicating the store is currently closed
- The next opening time (for example, "Opens again at 3:00 PM today")
- Your custom closed message

## Tips

- Keep your schedule simple when possible -- customers appreciate predictable hours
- Use custom closed messages to explain your schedule: "We accept morning orders until 11 AM and reopen at 3 PM for afternoon orders"
- Test your setup by visiting your storefront during the closed gap to confirm the banner displays correctly

## Related

- [Daily Schedules](/docs/store-hours/daily-schedules)
- [Holiday Calendar](/docs/store-hours/holiday-calendar)
- [Custom Closed Messages](/docs/store-hours/custom-closed-messages)