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

# Private booking links

> Send one patient a link to book and pay a deposit.

> [!NOTE]
>
> Not every practice has this yet. Bilby turns it on for each practice. If you can't see it, contact Bilby support.

A private booking link lets one patient pick a time with the practitioners you choose and pay a deposit to confirm it. The appointment is booked only once the deposit is paid. Use it for long or costly appointments.

You need card payments set up first. See [Integrations](https://docs.bilby.health/integrations/overview). Admins set the defaults for links in **Settings › Booking links**.

## Send a booking link

1. Open the patient, open the **…** menu and choose **Send booking link**.
2. Choose the appointment type, check the deposit, and tick the practitioners they can book with.
3. Choose to send it by SMS or email, or copy the link.
4. Select **Send link**.

## What the patient sees

The patient picks a time and pays the deposit on a secure payment page. While they pay, the time shows as held on your calendar. Once they pay, the appointment is confirmed, Bilby creates its invoice with the deposit paid, and the patient owes the fee less the deposit.

Times come from each practitioner's working hours, not their online booking schedule.

## Check, resend or cancel a link

Links show on the patient's **Appointments** tab, with whether the patient has opened it, booked, or let it expire. For an open link, open the **…** menu to send it again or select **Cancel link**. Cancelling takes effect at once.


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