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

# Creating Searches

> Learn how to create, manage, and save tee time searches

Searches are the core of AutoTee. A search monitors for tee times and automatically books them for you when one becomes available.

## Why Use AutoTee Searches?

* **Catch cancellations** - When someone cancels, we grab the spot before anyone else
* **Snag prime times** - Be first in line when booking windows open
* **24/7 monitoring** - We check every few seconds, even while you sleep
* **Only pay for success** - You're charged per player only when a tee time is booked

## Creating a Search

### Step 1: Select a Course

Use the search bar to find your course by name, city, or state. Click to select it.

<Tip>
  Star your favorite courses for quick access. They'll appear at the top of your search results.
</Tip>

### Step 2: Set Date and Time

Make sure you have:

* A connected account for that course (see [Account Setup](/docs/guides/account-setup))
* A payment method (not needed for your first booking)

Pick your preferred date, then set your time range. You can choose from presets:

* **Early** (6 AM - 8 AM)
* **Morning** (8 AM - 10 AM)
* **Midday** (10 AM - 1 PM)
* **Afternoon** (1 PM - 4 PM)
* **Custom** - Set your own start and end times

<Info>
  Wider time ranges increase your chances of catching a cancellation. If you're flexible, try "Morning" instead of a single hour.
</Info>

### Step 3: Configure Options

Set the number of players (1-4) and holes (9 or 18).

For multi-facility courses (like Bethpage or Torrey Pines), you'll also select which facility you want to book.

For ForeUp courses, you may need to select a **booking class** (e.g., "Non Resident", "Resident", "Senior"). This determines pricing and availability at the course.

### Step 4: Advanced Options (Optional)

<Accordion title="Scheduled Start">
  Set a future time for the search to start running. Useful for:

  * Courses that release tee times at a specific time (e.g., 7 days out at 6:00 AM)
  * Booking windows that open at midnight
  * Being first in line when new times drop
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Auto-Expire">
  Set a date and time for the search to automatically stop. Useful when you only want to look for a limited window.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Cart Preference">
  For some courses, you can request a golf cart be added to your booking.
</Accordion>

### Step 5: Create Search

Click **Create Search** to start monitoring.

## Search Presets

Save your favorite search settings as presets for one-click reuse. See the [Search Presets guide](/docs/guides/search-presets) for details.

## Managing Searches

### Search Statuses

| Status        | Meaning                                                   |
| ------------- | --------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Pending**   | Search created, waiting to start (or scheduled for later) |
| **Running**   | Actively monitoring for tee times                         |
| **Completed** | Tee time found and booked                                 |
| **Failed**    | Search encountered an error                               |
| **Paused**    | Manually paused by you                                    |

### Pausing a Search

Click the pause button to temporarily stop a search. You can resume it later.

### Deleting a Search

Click the delete button to permanently remove a search. You'll be asked to confirm.

<Warning>
  Deleting a completed booking search does not cancel the tee time. To cancel a booked tee time, use the cancel button on your upcoming reservation in the Dashboard, or cancel through the course website directly.
</Warning>

### Duplicating a Search

Click the duplicate button on any search to create a new one with the same settings. This is handy for booking the same course on a different date.

## Search Limits

You can have up to **5 active searches** at a time, with one search per course.

## Tips for Success

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Set Wide Time Ranges" icon="clock">
    Wider ranges increase your chances of catching cancellations
  </Card>

  <Card title="Create Searches Early" icon="calendar">
    Create searches before booking windows open for best results
  </Card>

  <Card title="Use Scheduled Start" icon="timer">
    Schedule searches to start exactly when tee times are released
  </Card>

  <Card title="Save Presets" icon="bookmark">
    Save your go-to search settings as presets for quick reuse
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Catching Cancellations

AutoTee excels at catching last-minute cancellations. Here's how to maximize your chances:

1. **Create your search early** - Even if the date is fully booked
2. **Set a wide time range** - Cancellations can happen at any time slot
3. **Keep the search running** - Cancellations often happen 24-48 hours before
4. **Let AutoTee handle it** - We book faster than any human can