How to Install and Use Cal.com: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

Cal.com is an open-source scheduling platform that provides a customizable, self-hosted solution for appointment booking. It’s designed for teams, businesses, and individuals who want to optimize their scheduling experience. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to install Cal.com, explore its features, and show how to use it effectively.

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Advantages of Using Cal.com

1. Open-source: Cal.com is fully open-source, meaning it’s free to use and can be customized to meet your needs.
2. Self-hosted Solution: You can host Cal.com on your own server for full control over your data.
3. Integrations: It integrates with popular tools like Google Calendar, Zoom, and Slack, enhancing productivity.
4. Customizable: You can personalize the booking flow to match your brand’s needs.
5. Privacy-Focused: Cal.com prioritizes data privacy and security.
6. Advanced Features: Offers advanced features like multi-user scheduling, time zone support, and group events.

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How to Install Cal.com

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure that you have the following:

• Node.js (version 18 or later)
• Docker (for easier deployment)
• Git (to clone the repository)
• A domain if you’re hosting Cal.com online.

Steps for Installation

1. Clone the Repository
   First, clone the Cal.com repository from GitHub using Git:

   git clone https://github.com/calcom/cal.com.git

2. Navigate to the Project Directory
   Change to the project folder:

   cd cal.com

3. Install Dependencies
   Run the following command to install necessary dependencies:

   npm install

4. Set Up the Database
   Cal.com uses a PostgreSQL database. Create a .env file in the root directory and configure the database connection:

   DATABASE_URL=postgres://username:password@localhost:5432/calcom

5. Build and Start the Application
   Now, build the project and start the application:

   npm run build
   npm run start

6. Access the Application
   Once the application is up and running, open your browser and visit http://localhost:3000 to access the Cal.com interface.
7. (Optional) Deploy with Docker
   For deployment, you can use Docker to simplify the process. Run the following command to build and deploy using Docker:

   docker-compose up

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How to Use Cal.com

Once installed, you can start setting up your scheduling system:

1. Create Your Account

• After accessing Cal.com, you can sign up and create your user profile.
• Configure your time zone and preferred scheduling times.

2. Set Up Your Booking Page

• Create a unique booking page by selecting the types of appointments you offer, such as meetings, calls, or interviews.
• Customize your page’s appearance, URL, and available time slots. Example:
  https://yourname.cal.com could be your personalized scheduling link.

3. Integrate with Calendar Services

Cal.com allows integration with external calendar services like Google Calendar. Simply follow the instructions in the settings to sync your calendar.

4. Share Your Booking Link

Share your custom scheduling link with clients or team members. They can book time with you based on your availability.

Example: Share a link for a 30-minute meeting with clients:

   Book a meeting: https://yourname.cal.com/30-minute-meeting

5. Set Up Notifications

Cal.com offers email and SMS notifications for both you and your clients, ensuring no appointments are missed.

6. Track and Manage Appointments

Use the dashboard to manage your upcoming appointments, reschedule, or cancel bookings as needed.

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Conclusion

Cal.com is a powerful and flexible scheduling platform that can streamline the way you book appointments. Its open-source nature, customization options, and ability to self-host make it an ideal choice for businesses and individuals who need control over their scheduling system. By following the steps in this guide, you can quickly get Cal.com up and running, enhancing your productivity and client interactions.

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FAQs

Q1: Is Cal.com free to use?
Yes, Cal.com is open-source and free to use. However, there are paid plans for advanced features and cloud hosting.

Q2: Can I integrate Cal.com with Zoom?
Yes, Cal.com integrates with Zoom for virtual meetings. You can automatically generate Zoom links when clients book time with you.

Q3: How secure is my data on Cal.com?
Cal.com is privacy-focused, ensuring your data is secure and under your control, especially when self-hosted.

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