Introduction to Item Rules (Classic Items)

Item Rules let you enforce booking policies automatically, ensuring the system uses your inventory as planned. They can apply to Customers, Staff, or both, and can be tied to Item Events to control when and how bookings are allowed.

Read this introduction to our Item Rules feature, including how it works with item events to enforce policies.

Accessing the features mentioned in this article

Where can I find this feature using the top menu?

• Inventory > Rules
   

What more do I need to use this feature?

• Admin or restricted permissions to View events and rules and Manage events and rules.
   

Which Checkfront version supports this feature - Classic Items, Classic Products, or both?

• Your account must have access to classic items (Inventory > Items), a key feature of our Classic Items version of Checkfront. 
   

Learn more Find step-by-step answers to frequently asked questions for classic items here: Item Builder FAQ (Classic Items)

Item Rules Overview

Item Rules give you control over when, how, and by whom bookings can be made. They help prevent unwanted scenarios—like last-minute online bookings—or enforce policies such as minimum/maximum guest counts.

You can manage Item Rules in your dashboard under Inventory > Rules.

• Each account has a Default global rule set that applies across all items.
• You can create multiple custom rule sets and link them to specific Item Events or Discounts.
• By attaching different rule sets to other events, you can enforce seasonal policies, such as stricter booking rules during busy times of the year.

Item Rules allow you to enforce policies on new bookings created in the system. You can find rulesets in the Inventory > Rules menu in your Checkfront dashboard.

Apply To Options

Rules can apply to:

• Customers – Restrictions are enforced on the public booking page.
• Staff – Restrictions apply to internal Staff and Partner bookings.

You can remove Item Rules for Customers or Staff by unchecking the appropriate option in the Apply To field.

The Staff option applies to both Staff and Partners The Staff option under the Apply To column refers to both Staff and Partners.

Default Ruleset

Your account comes with a global Item Rule Set named Default.

Custom Rule Sets

You can create multiple Item Rule Sets and tie them to specific events or discounts in the system.

Tying Item Rule Sets to events enables you to enforce different booking policies at different times of the year and build more complex pricing layers.

Getting started with item rules

1. Go to Inventory → Items → Rules in your Checkfront dashboard.
2. Create a new rule and give it a meaningful name.
3. Define the trigger conditions (e.g., date, day of week, booking window).
4. Set the actions the rule will perform (e.g., turning on/off an item, adjusting the rate, hiding availability).
5. Choose which items/categories the rule applies to.
6. Save the rule and activate it (enable it).
7. Test the rule by simulating a booking or checking item behavior under the protected conditions.
8. If the rule doesn’t behave as expected, edit or turn off the rule and try again.

Next Steps

Once you’re comfortable with the basics above, check out these deeper-dive articles:

• Activating and disabling Item Rules
• Creating a new Item Rule Set
• Item Rule definitions

Each article walks you step-by-step through that specific feature.

You can learn how to activate and turn off item rules in the following article of this series. 

Activating and disabling Item Rules >