Blackout dates
Blackout dates define periods when testing should not be scheduled, such as public holidays, shutdown periods, or company events.
Purpose
Blackout dates prevent selection schedules from firing during specific periods. This ensures your automated testing programme respects holidays and operational downtime.
Where to find blackout dates
Go to Setup > Blackout Dates.
Creating a blackout date
- Click New Blackout Date
- Fill in the details:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | A descriptive name (e.g. "Christmas shutdown" or "Easter long weekend") |
| Scope | Organisation-wide, a specific Region, or a specific Location |
| Start date | The first day of the blackout period |
| End date | The last day of the blackout period |
| Reason | Optional explanation for the blackout |
| Recurring | Toggle on to repeat the blackout on the same dates every year |
- Click Save
Scope types
Blackout dates can apply at different levels:
| Scope | Description |
|---|---|
| Organisation-wide | Applies to all locations and regions |
| Region | Applies only to locations within a specific region |
| Location | Applies only to a specific location |
Use the filter tabs at the top of the list to view blackout dates by scope:
- All — every blackout date
- Organisation-wide (purple badge)
- Region (blue badge)
- Location (amber badge)
Managing blackout dates
From the Blackout Dates list, you can:
- Edit — update any blackout date settings
- Deactivate — disable a blackout date without deleting it (can be restored later)
- Restore — reactivate a deactivated blackout date
- Delete — permanently remove the blackout date
Status badges
| Status | Colour | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Active | Green | Blackout date is in effect |
| Inactive | Grey | Blackout date is deactivated |
Recurring blackout dates
When the Recurring toggle is enabled, the blackout repeats annually on the same dates. This is useful for fixed public holidays and regular shutdown periods that occur every year.
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