Zipper Help Center

Classes Capabilities

Create and manage recurring class schedules with flexible scheduling, multiple payment options, and comprehensive registration management. Build class series that automatically generate sessions, handle capacity and waitlists, and provide seamless customer booking experiences.

Overview

Classes allow you to create recurring schedules that automatically generate individual sessions. Set up once with multiple time slots, and the system creates all future sessions automatically. Manage capacity, accept various payment methods, handle waitlists, and customize registration windows—all while maintaining full control over scheduling changes and cancellations.

Core Features

Class Creation & Management

Feature Description User Benefit
Create Class Series Set up a class with name, description, color, and header image Organize your schedule with visually distinct classes
Recurring Schedule Setup Define multiple time slots (day of week + time) for automatic session generation Set up once, sessions created automatically for months ahead
Multiple Time Slots Add multiple weekly time slots to a single class (e.g., Monday 9am and Wednesday 6pm) Offer the same class at different times without duplicating setup
One-Off Sessions Add special sessions outside the regular schedule Handle holiday classes, workshops, or special events within your class structure
Class Status Management Activate or deactivate classes as needed Control which classes appear in your schedule without deleting them
Edit Class Details Update name, description, color, and images anytime Keep class information current without affecting existing sessions

Scheduling & Time Management

Feature Description User Benefit
Flexible Date Ranges Set start and end dates for each time slot independently Run classes for specific periods (e.g., 8-week programs)
Scheduled Changes Temporarily change time, location, or instructor for specific date ranges Handle instructor vacations or location changes without affecting the whole series
Instructor Substitutions Assign substitute instructors for individual sessions Manage last-minute changes without disrupting the schedule
Timezone Support Set timezone per class for accurate scheduling Ensure sessions display correctly for your location
Extend Schedule Extend time slot end dates to generate more sessions Continue popular classes without recreating them
Preview Changes See how scheduling changes will affect sessions before committing Make informed decisions about schedule modifications

Payment & Access Options

Feature Description User Benefit
Free Classes Offer classes at no charge Attract new customers or provide community offerings
Drop-In Pricing Set one-time payment prices per class Accept credit card payments for single sessions
Punch Card Access Allow customers to use class passes/credits Sell multi-class packages and track usage automatically
Subscription Access Grant free or discounted access to subscription holders Reward members with included or discounted classes
Multiple Pricing Tiers Set different prices for different customer groups Offer member discounts or early-bird pricing
Punch Card Configuration Configure which products can be used for each class Control which passes work with which classes
Family Payment Methods Parents/guardians can use their saved payment methods to pay for children's registrations Simplify family billing and checkout
Payment Link Generation Generate secure payment links for registration Accept payments even when customers aren't logged in

Registration Management

Feature Description User Benefit
Custom Registration Forms Require customers to complete forms during registration Collect waivers, health information, or preferences
Multiple Form Requirements Require multiple forms during registration (waiver, cancellation agreement, additional forms) Collect all required paperwork in one registration flow
Registration Windows Control when registration opens and closes relative to class start Open registration weeks ahead or close it hours before class
Open Time Frame Option Allow registration to open at a specific time before class Control exactly when customers can register
Capacity Limits Set maximum number of registrations per session Prevent overbooking and maintain class quality
Waitlist Management Enable waitlists when classes are full Capture interest and fill spots from cancellations
Waitlist Promotion Manually promote customers from waitlist to active registration Control who gets spots when they open up
Waitlist Reordering Change the order customers are promoted from waitlist Prioritize certain customers or handle special cases
External Registration Redirect registration to external booking systems Integrate with existing booking platforms
Guest Registration Allow customers to register without creating accounts Reduce friction for first-time customers
Registration Confirmation Emails Automatically send confirmation emails to registrants Keep customers informed and reduce no-shows
Hide/Show Registrations Control visibility of registration lists to protect customer privacy Maintain customer privacy while managing registrations

Cancellation & Refunds

Feature Description User Benefit
Automatic Refund Policy Set refund window (hours before class start) for automatic refunds Clear policy that customers can rely on
Manual Refund Control Choose whether to refund when canceling as provider/admin Handle exceptions and special circumstances
Bulk Cancellation Cancel multiple sessions at once (e.g., when ending a time slot) Efficiently handle schedule changes
Individual Cancellation Cancel single registrations with optional refund Handle customer requests quickly
Waitlist Cancellation Refunds Automatically refund waitlist cancellations Fair policy for customers who never got a spot
Punch Card Credit Restoration Automatically restore credits when refunding punch card registrations Credits return to customer's account automatically
Payment Refund Processing Process refunds for credit card payments Handle refunds through your payment processor

Capacity & Waitlist Features

Feature Description User Benefit
Per-Session Capacity Set different capacity limits for different time slots Adjust capacity based on instructor or location
Waitlist Capacity Set maximum waitlist size Control how many people can wait for spots
Waitlist Promotion Window Set when waitlist promotions stop before class Prevent last-minute promotions that cause confusion
Registration Counts View current registrations and waitlist counts per session Monitor class popularity and capacity
Capacity Overrides Temporarily change capacity for specific sessions Handle special events or room changes

Instructor & Provider Management

Feature Description User Benefit
Assign Instructors Assign instructors to time slots Show customers who's teaching each session
Instructor Substitutions Assign substitute instructors for specific sessions Handle absences without canceling classes
Substitution Notifications Automatically notify customers of instructor changes Keep customers informed about schedule changes
Multiple Instructors Assign multiple instructors to a single session Support team-taught classes
Provider Check-In Allow instructors to check in attendees Track attendance at the class location

Location Management

Feature Description User Benefit
Physical Locations Assign physical locations to classes Show customers where classes are held
Virtual Locations Set up online/virtual class locations Offer remote classes with meeting links
Location Overrides Override location for specific time slots or sessions Handle location changes for individual sessions
Location Types Choose between physical, virtual, or hybrid Support all your class formats

Customer Experience Features

Feature Description User Benefit
Calendar Integration Generate ICS calendar links for class sessions Customers can add classes to their calendars
Google Calendar Links Provide deep links to add classes to Google Calendar One-click calendar integration
Mobile-Friendly Booking Responsive registration experience on all devices Customers can book from phones, tablets, or computers
Anonymous Booking Allow customers to register without accounts Reduce barriers to first-time registration
Registration Success Pages Customize what customers see after registering Provide next steps or important information
Email Reminders Automatically send reminder emails before classes Reduce no-shows with timely reminders
Kiosk Mode Streamlined check-in interface for front desk Quick, simple check-in process for in-person registration

Key Capabilities

Schedule Management

Capability Details
Automatic Session Generation Create sessions automatically based on time slot patterns, generating weeks or months ahead
Flexible Scheduling Add, remove, or modify time slots without affecting past sessions
Scheduled Modifications Plan changes in advance (e.g., "Starting next month, this class moves to 10am")
Date Range Control Set different start and end dates for each time slot within a class
Session Preview See all generated sessions before committing to schedule changes
Virtual Classes Create virtual/online classes with meeting links, or hybrid classes with both physical and virtual options

Payment Flexibility

Capability Details
Multiple Payment Methods Accept credit cards, punch cards, subscriptions, or offer free classes—all in one system
Dynamic Pricing Set different prices for different customer groups or time periods
Product Integration Link classes to punch card products so customers can use their passes
Subscription Benefits Grant automatic access or discounts to subscription holders
Payment Processing Secure credit card processing through Stripe integration

Registration Control

Capability Details
Registration Windows Control exactly when customers can register (e.g., opens 2 weeks before, closes 2 hours before)
Form Requirements Require customers to complete custom forms (waivers, health info, preferences)
Capacity Management Set and enforce capacity limits per session
Waitlist Automation Automatically move customers from waitlist when spots open
Guest-Friendly Allow registration without requiring account creation

Cancellation Handling

Capability Details
Policy Enforcement Automatic refunds based on your configured policy window
Flexible Refunds Provider/admin can override automatic refund policy when needed
Credit Restoration Automatically restore punch card credits when refunding
Bulk Operations Cancel multiple sessions efficiently when schedule changes
Customer Self-Service Customers can cancel their own registrations within policy limits
Cancellation Notifications Automatically notify registered customers when sessions are cancelled

Customization Options

Option What Users Can Customize
Class Appearance Name, description, color, header image for visual organization
Schedule Structure Multiple time slots per class, each with independent date ranges
Pricing Strategy Free, paid, punch card, subscription, or combination of options
Registration Rules When registration opens/closes, form requirements, capacity limits
Refund Policy Hours before class start when automatic refunds apply
Email Settings Enable/disable confirmation and reminder emails
Location Settings Physical address, virtual meeting link, or hybrid options
Instructor Assignment Assign instructors to time slots or individual sessions

Limits & Constraints

Limit Details
Time Slot Capacity Set per time slot or per session; no system-wide limit
Waitlist Size Configurable per class; no hard system limit
Registration Window Opens/closes based on minutes before class start; can be set to open weeks in advance
Refund Window Configurable hours before class start; can be set to any value
Scheduled Changes Multiple changes can be scheduled per time slot; system handles overlapping ranges
Session Generation Default generates 3 months ahead; can be extended by updating end dates
One-Off Sessions Unlimited one-off sessions can be added to any class

Advanced Features

Class Series Management

Feature Description User Benefit
Connect Existing Events Migrate existing recurring events into class structure Upgrade legacy schedules to modern class management
Disconnect Sessions Make individual sessions independent from class updates Handle exceptions without affecting the series
Reconnect Sessions Reconnect disconnected sessions to receive class updates Restore connection when needed
Bulk Updates Update all sessions in a class when changing class settings Efficiently modify entire series

Provider Tools

Feature Description User Benefit
Kiosk Check-In Streamlined interface for checking in customers at front desk Fast, simple check-in process
Attendance Tracking Check customers in/out of classes Track who attended for reporting
Registration Overview View all registrations across a class or time slot See full picture of class enrollment
Session Details View individual session details with registrations Manage specific sessions effectively
Instructor Substitution Assign substitute instructors for specific sessions without affecting the series Handle instructor absences or changes easily

Analytics & Reporting

Feature Description User Benefit
Registration Counts See registration and waitlist counts per session Monitor class popularity
Registration History View customer registration history across classes Understand customer behavior
Class Performance Track which classes fill up and which need promotion Make data-driven scheduling decisions
Export Capabilities Export registration data for external analysis Use data in other tools

Integration Capabilities

Integration What It Enables
Payment Processing Accept credit card payments through Stripe
Email Notifications Send automatic confirmations and reminders
Calendar Systems Generate calendar links for customer integration
Forms System Require custom forms during registration
Product Catalog Link classes to punch card products and subscriptions
Customer Portal Customers can view and manage their class registrations