How scheduling works

The foundation of SkillSwap sessions

SkillSwap uses a simple but powerful scheduling system designed around clarity, fairness and real-time convenience. Every step — from picking a time to joining a call — is built to make learning and teaching smooth for both sides.

This guide explains how sessions move through the system: how requests are created, how they’re accepted, and what happens behind the scenes with timezones, Skill Points and availability.

Session types

SkillSwap supports live 1:1 video sessions only — no groups, no lectures — just focused, personalised learning with another real human.

How a session is created

All sessions start with a session request sent by the learner. This is important:

A session request always includes:

• The skill you want to learn
• The duration: 15, 30, 45 or 60 minutes
• The date & time (auto-adjusted for both timezones)
• A short description (optional but helpful)

Requests can be created directly inside a chat via the + button → Schedule a session, or from inside the Calendar page.

Timezone handling

SkillSwap automatically converts every selected time into the tutor’s and learner’s local timezone. Both people see the session in their own correct local time, so there’s no confusion.

Skill Points (SP) reservation

When you send a session request, SkillSwap may temporarily reserve the required SP (but does not deduct them yet). This ensures:

• Your balance will be sufficient when the tutor accepts
• Sessions don’t fail due to last-second SP shortages

SP are fully deducted only after the tutor presses Accept.

What happens after you send the request

Both sides see the session appear instantly in the Calendar → Requests tab. The tutor now has three options:

• Accept — the session becomes confirmed
• Decline — the request closes
• Ignore / reply in chat — often used to clarify details

Joining a session

Once confirmed, the session appears in the Calendar → Upcoming tab.

• Connect button appears 5 minutes before start time
• Both users enter the built-in SkillSwap video room
• Screen sharing, camera, mic and chat tools are available

Rescheduling or cancelling

If something changes, open the session and choose Cancel. You can then send a new request with updated time details.

If you cancel more than 2h before session starts, your reserved SP return to your balance immediately.

For more details, visit Cancelling & rescheduling.

Behind the scenes: smart scheduling

To keep everything fair and reliable, SkillSwap also:

• Prevents overlapping sessions on the same account
• Validates availability when a request is sent
• Ensures SP coverage to avoid failed confirmations
• Syncs real-time updates across devices and tabs instantly