Booking the Shed: Pickup, Drop-Off, and Care

Booking a Resource is two clicks. Booking it well takes about a minute longer and saves a lot of small frustrations.

Picking your time window

Be honest. If the work could realistically take three hours, book three hours, not eight "to be safe." Padded bookings are a quiet way to monopolise a tool, and other villagers notice.

If the job takes longer than your booking, extend it inside ARA before the next booking starts. The system will warn you if it conflicts.

The note field

Use it. A two-sentence note is the difference between a smooth handoff and a phone call. Useful contents:

• Where you'll pick it up from (especially if your Sanctuary is large)
• When you'll bring it back ("by sundown, on the porch")
• Anything you noticed last time ("battery 2 was getting weak")

Federation pickups

If you're booking a Resource from a connected Sanctuary, the note field is doing double duty. Add:

• Who's driving over to pick up
• What time
• Whether you're bringing anything in exchange (firewood, eggs, your own labour)

Federated bookings work best when the cross-Sanctuary trip is paired with something else — a meeting, a meal, an extra set of hands. Pure logistics trips burn out fast.

Returning

If the Resource came back the same as you took it, do nothing. The booking auto-closes at the end time.

If it's broken, flag Maintenance and add a note about what's wrong. The custodian will see it within the hour. Don't quietly drop it back on the shelf hoping it'll be someone else's problem.

If you've left it cleaner than you found it (sharpened the chain, cleaned the rust, replaced a worn part), add a Comment on the Resource page. This is the kind of small visibility that keeps custodianship from becoming thankless.

If a tool you booked is gone when you arrive

Check the Resource page first — the previous booking may have over-run. Message the previous booker before assuming malice. Most cases are calendar drift, not selfishness.

Cancelling early

If you no longer need the slot, release it. Other villagers may have been waiting. There's a "Free up booking" button on your active reservation.