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

# ICS Feed

> Read-only availability from any calendar that exports an ICS feed. Use it for secondary calendars and conflict-checking alongside a direct integration.

Some calendars don't have a direct integration. Most can still publish an ICS feed, which RevDesk reads to block out busy times. It's read-only, so it won't create events. The right way to use it: pair an ICS feed for a secondary calendar (a personal calendar, a shared team calendar from a different provider) with a direct integration for the calendar where bookings should actually land.

<Note>
  ICS is read-only. The agent checks availability and avoids conflicts, but it can't write events. For bookings, connect Google Calendar, Outlook, Apple Calendar, or Zoho Calendar directly.
</Note>

## What changes

* **Conflict checking.** The agent reads busy windows from any ICS source.
* **Universal compatibility.** Works with anything that exports an ICS URL.
* **Secondary calendar coverage.** Pair with a primary direct integration to honor both your work and personal schedules.

## Setup

<Steps>
  <Step title="Find your ICS URL">
    In the source calendar's sharing or export settings.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the integrations panel">
    Inside the app: **Settings → Integrations → Calendar**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select ICS Feed">
    Click "Connect ICS Feed."
  </Step>

  <Step title="Paste the URL">
    Enter the ICS feed URL.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Test the connection">
    RevDesk verifies it can read the feed and confirms how many events were found.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Finding the ICS URL

| Calendar        | Where to find it                                                                           |
| --------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Google Calendar | Settings → Settings for my calendars → Integrate calendar → Secret address in iCal format. |
| Outlook.com     | Settings → Calendar → Shared calendars → Publish a calendar.                               |
| Apple Calendar  | Right-click calendar → Share calendar → Public calendar URL.                               |
| Yahoo Calendar  | Calendar settings → Share → Get sharable link.                                             |

## How it works

The feed fetches periodically (every few minutes). Busy times block those windows in availability, so the agent won't offer a slot that overlaps. Bookings still write to the primary calendar you have connected directly.

## What ICS doesn't do

| Capability          | ICS feed      | Direct integration |
| ------------------- | ------------- | ------------------ |
| Check availability  | Yes           | Yes                |
| Create appointments | No            | Yes                |
| Two-way sync        | No            | Yes                |
| Real-time updates   | Minutes delay | Instant            |

## When to use ICS

* **Secondary calendars** for conflict checking alongside a primary direct integration.
* **Team availability aggregation** when team members use mixed calendar providers.
* **External systems** that only expose an ICS URL.

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Feed not updating">
    ICS syncs every few minutes by design. For instant updates, use a direct integration.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Invalid URL error">
    Confirm you're using the ICS/iCal URL, not the HTML calendar link. It should end in `.ics` or contain `/ical/`.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Events not showing">
    Some ICS exports only include a limited date range. Check the source calendar's export settings.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Card title="Connect ICS Feed" icon="rss" href="https://www.revdesk.com/settings/integrations">
  Pair it with a direct calendar integration for full coverage.
</Card>