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

# Blackout Periods

> Define and manage date/time windows during which IT changes are restricted or blocked.

The Blackout Periods screen manages windows when changes are restricted and is accessible at `/it/changes/blackouts`.

## Overview

The Blackout Periods page displays all defined blackout periods in a data table with columns for name, reason, start/end timestamps, status badge (Past/Upcoming/Active), and whether emergency changes are allowed. Users can create new periods via the **New Blackout** button, which opens an inline dialog form requiring a name, optional reason, start datetime, and end datetime, plus a toggle for **Allow Emergency Changes**. Existing periods can be edited (opens the same form pre-populated) or deleted (with a confirmation alert dialog). Status is computed client-side: past if end is in the past, active if the current time falls within the window, upcoming otherwise.

## Who it's for

Requires `IT_PERMISSIONS.VIEW` (outer `ITViewGuard`). No additional per-route permission gate. SME: confirm whether write operations (create/edit/delete) require a separate elevated permission.

## Before you start

* You must hold `IT_PERMISSIONS.VIEW` to reach this screen.
* Verify intended start and end datetimes before saving; deletion is irreversible.

## Steps

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Blackout Periods">
    Navigate to `/it/changes/blackouts`. The table shows all existing blackout periods.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a new blackout period">
    Click **New Blackout**. In the dialog, enter a name (required), optional reason, start datetime, end datetime, and set the **Allow Emergency Changes** toggle. Click **Create**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Edit a blackout period">
    Click the pencil icon on any row. The same dialog opens pre-populated with existing values. Update fields and click **Update**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Delete a blackout period">
    Click the trash icon on any row. Confirm deletion in the alert dialog. This action cannot be undone.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Key concepts

* **allow\_emergency** — Toggle controlling whether emergency change requests are permitted during the window. Stored as a boolean on the `ITChangeBlackout` record.
* **Status badges** — Past (secondary), Upcoming (info), Active (destructive) — computed from `start_at` and `end_at` relative to the current time.
* **name** — Required identifier for the period (e.g., "Holiday Freeze").

## Related

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Card title="IT Service Management" icon="headset" href="/it/overview">
    IT Service Management overview.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Governance & parity" icon="scale-balanced" href="/governance/index">
    Documentation coverage and governance.
  </Card>
</Columns>

<Note>
  This page documents shipped product behavior. It is not medical, legal, or
  billing advice. Verify against your organization's policies and applicable
  regulations before using it for clinical, compliance, or billing decisions.
  Protected health information (PHI) shown in the product is governed by your
  tenant's access controls and is never exposed in this documentation.
</Note>

<Accordion title="Documentation sources">
  * src/routes/it.tsx
  * src/cores/it/pages/changes/BlackoutPeriodsPage.tsx
</Accordion>