Outreach objects
Specification Reviewed · not yet fact-checked
In short
What is a schedule in Reply and how does it control sending?
A schedule defines when sequences may send: weekdays, time ranges, and a sending timezone, evaluated in UTC with no Daylight Saving Time adjustment. Follow-ups can use a separate schedule, sending can follow the contact's time zone, and holiday calendars skip nationally recognized holidays. Reply recommends a delivery window of at least 2.5-4 hours.
At a glance
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| What it is | The weekly sending windows, timezone, and holiday calendars that time a sequence's messages |
| Belongs to / Contains | Used by any number of sequences; one schedule can be the default for new sequences; holiday calendars (system or custom) attach to it |
| Surfaces | UI · REST API · MCP |
| Key limit | Reply recommends a delivery window of at least 2.5–4 hours so emails have enough time to send |
| Lifecycle | Created → optionally made default → deleted, but only once no sequence uses it |
| Does not | Adjust for Daylight Saving Time (Reply uses UTC), include regional or state-level holidays in system calendars, or speed sending up — it only opens and closes time windows |
| Plans | All plans; Team Edition members can view and manage teammates' schedules via the All Owners dropdown |
Definition
A schedule defines when a sequence is allowed to send: the weekdays and time ranges when messages go out, evaluated in a chosen sending timezone, with an optional separate schedule for follow-ups and optional holiday calendars that block whole days. Reply uses UTC time and does not account for Daylight Saving Time — use an external time zone converter if you need to compensate.
Purpose
Schedules keep outreach inside working hours and the right time zone without per-sequence manual timing — including, when enabled, each contact's own local time.
Relationships
| Relationship | Object |
|---|---|
| Used by | Any number of sequences; a sequence's schedule is picked from the existing list via the Schedule button on its Steps tab |
| Default | One schedule can be made default (Make default) — it automatically applies to new sequences |
| Extended by | Holiday calendars — a system calendar per selected country, or a custom calendar of specific days |
| Managed in | Settings → Schedules; Team Edition shows teammates' schedules under All Owners |
Creation
A schedule is created from Settings → Schedules → New schedule: enter a name, select the sending timezone, select the days when messages should go out, and set the sending time range by dragging the time block or using the + icon. Reply recommends a delivery window of at least 2.5–4 hours. Turning on Separate schedule for follow-ups gives follow-up messages their own days and hours.
A custom holiday calendar can be created from scratch (Create custom calendar) or from an existing one: the Start from existing calendar selector pre-fills the new calendar with all holidays from the chosen source (system or custom), each removable individually. The calendar name is never pre-filled. Every calendar in the dropdown has a download icon that exports its holidays to a CSV file with the columns Holiday name, Start date, End date.
Configuration
| Setting | Controls |
|---|---|
| Sending timezone | The timezone the windows are evaluated in — UTC-based, with no Daylight Saving Time adjustment |
| Days and time ranges | The weekdays and hours when messages may go out |
| Separate schedule for follow-ups | Different days and sending hours for follow-up messages |
| Use contact's specific time-zone if set | Under Advanced settings — sends at each contact's local time when their time zone is known |
| Skip public holidays | Blocks sending on the selected country's public holidays, or on the days in a custom calendar |
| Make default | Applies this schedule automatically to new sequences |
A contact's time zone can be determined automatically during import when the Country column is filled and either the State column is filled or a City column is present.
System holiday calendars include only nationally recognized public holidays — regional or state-level holidays are excluded (audited: United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany, France). Use a custom calendar to skip additional days.
Processing behavior
Sending happens only inside the schedule's open windows; the interaction with step delays and daily limits is specified in When Reply sends. Launching a sequence outside its sending hours shows a warning that the sequence is inactive — sending starts on the next open day unless the schedule is opened.
To change the schedule of an active sequence, open its Steps tab and click the Schedule button: pick another schedule from the existing list (a new one must be created first in Settings), or click Customize to edit timezones, sending hours, and open days. After updating the schedule, restart the sequence by turning its toggle off and back on so the changes apply right away.
Limits
| Limit | Value |
|---|---|
| Minimum recommended delivery window | 2.5–4 hours |
| Time basis | UTC; Daylight Saving Time is not applied |
| System holiday calendars | Nationally recognized public holidays only (audited: United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany, France) |
| Holiday CSV export columns | Holiday name, Start date, End date |
Deletion behavior
A schedule is deleted with the bin icon in Settings → Schedules — but only when no sequence is still using it. While sequences reference the schedule, the bin icon is inactive; switch those sequences to another schedule first.
Edge cases
- Reply evaluates all schedules in UTC and does not account for Daylight Saving Time — after a DST switch, adjust the sending hours yourself or use an external time zone converter when setting them.
- With Use contact's specific time-zone if set enabled, contacts without a detected time zone follow the schedule's own timezone; detection on import needs Country plus State or City.
- An active sequence can only switch to a schedule that already exists — the Schedule button offers no way to create one inline.
- When starting a custom calendar from an existing one, holidays are pre-filled but the calendar name never is.
FAQ
Can I change the schedule for an active sequence?
Yes. Use the Schedule button on the sequence's Steps tab to pick another existing schedule or Customize the current one, then restart the sequence by turning the toggle off and back on so the changes apply right away.
Does Reply adjust schedules for Daylight Saving Time?
No. Reply uses UTC time and does not account for Daylight Saving Time — if needed, use an external time zone converter to set your sending hours correctly.
What happens when a sequence launches outside sending hours?
A warning says the sequence is inactive. Either open the schedule, or sending starts automatically on the next open day. See Why was an email not sent?.
Can sending follow the contact's local time?
Yes — turn on Use contact's specific time-zone if set under Advanced settings. The contact's time zone is detected during import when the Country column is filled and either State is filled or a City column is present.
Do holiday calendars cover regional holidays?
No. System calendars include only nationally recognized public holidays (audited: United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany, France). Create a custom calendar — optionally starting from an existing one — to skip regional days.
Related
Build with Reply
- REST API: docs.reply.io — schedules and holiday-calendar endpoints
- MCP: agents.reply.io/mcp — agents create and assign schedules