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

# Authentication: sign in to OpenBookings

> OpenBookings uses passwordless authentication. Sign in with a magic link sent to your email, or instantly with your existing Google or Apple account.

OpenBookings uses passwordless authentication — there are no passwords to create, store, or reset. You can sign in using a magic link sent to your email address, or with an existing Google or Apple account. Either way, your first sign-in automatically creates your OpenBookings account; you don't need to fill out a registration form.

## Magic-link sign-in

Magic links are the primary sign-in method. When you sign in with your email, OpenBookings emails you a one-time link. Clicking it signs you straight in.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the sign-in form">
    On the home page, click **Sign in** in the top-right corner. The authentication form appears.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter your email address">
    Type your email address into the field and submit the form. OpenBookings sends a magic-link email to that address within a few seconds.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check your inbox">
    Open the email from OpenBookings. It contains a single sign-in button or link.

    <Note>
      Magic links expire after **15 minutes**. If yours has expired, return to the sign-in form and request a new one.
    </Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click the link">
    Click the button or link in the email. Your browser opens and you are signed in immediately. The magic link is single-use — it cannot be reused after it is clicked.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Check your spam or junk folder if the email doesn't arrive within a minute. Add `noreply@openbookings.co` to your contacts to ensure future emails are delivered to your inbox.
</Tip>

## Social sign-in

If you prefer not to use email, you can sign in with Google or Apple in a single step.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the sign-in form">
    Click **Sign in** in the top-right corner of the home page.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Google or Apple">
    Click the **Continue with Google** or **Continue with Apple** button. You'll be redirected to the respective sign-in page for that provider.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Authorise OpenBookings">
    Complete sign-in with your Google or Apple credentials. You may be asked to grant OpenBookings permission to read your name and email address — this is the only data it requests.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Return to OpenBookings">
    After you authorise the app, you are redirected back to OpenBookings and signed in automatically.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  When you sign in with Apple and choose to hide your email address, Apple provides a private relay address. OpenBookings uses that relay address as your account email.
</Note>

## First sign-in: account creation

You don't create an account separately from signing in. The first time you sign in — whether via magic link, Google, or Apple — OpenBookings creates your account automatically using the email address associated with your sign-in method. Subsequent sign-ins with the same email address access the same account.

## Staying signed in

OpenBookings keeps you signed in across browser sessions. You don't need to sign in again each time you visit, as long as you're using the same browser and haven't signed out.

<Warning>
  On shared or public computers, always sign out after your session. Your session persists until you explicitly sign out.
</Warning>

## Signing out

To sign out, click your **profile avatar** in the top-right corner of any page. Clicking the avatar ends your session immediately and returns you to the home page in a signed-out state.

<Note>
  Your search history and any saved preferences are associated with your account and remain available the next time you sign in.
</Note>