> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://sailia-mintlify-5b02008a.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Courses vs hire

> Understand the difference between taught courses and time-based hire so you set each one up correctly.

Sailia supports two main bookable formats: **Courses** and **Hire**. They look similar at first glance, but they solve very different operational problems. Pick the right one when you create a session and the rest of the setup falls naturally into place.

## Courses

Courses are for **structured, taught sessions** at a fixed time. They suit:

* Multi-day training programmes
* Single-day events
* Kids' camps and holiday weeks
* Workshops and clinics

Key behaviours:

* Sessions run at fixed dates and times.
* Spaces are allocated across the whole course — customers book the entire programme, not individual sessions.
* Supports prerequisites, age rules, and multi-session attendance.
* Designed around teaching, where the same group works through a curriculum.

See [setting up a course](/activities/course-setup) for the full step-by-step.

## Hire (rental / time-based)

Hire is for **renting equipment or facilities** by the hour, half-day, day, or any custom interval. It suits:

* Paddleboard, kayak, or bike rentals
* Sailboat and windsurf kit hire
* Room or sauna bookings

Key behaviours:

* Rolling availability across the day.
* Bookings are constrained by resources (boats, boards, rooms).
* Multiple overlapping bookings allowed.
* Flexible durations defined by your **hire increment**.
* Optional add-ons at checkout.

See [setting up a hire](/activities/hire-setup) for the full step-by-step.

## Side by side

| Feature             | Courses                          | Hire                         |
| ------------------- | -------------------------------- | ---------------------------- |
| **Purpose**         | Training and structured sessions | Equipment or facility rental |
| **Time structure**  | Fixed sessions                   | Flexible rolling time slots  |
| **Customer books**  | The whole course                 | A time block                 |
| **Inventory model** | Space-based                      | Resource-based               |
| **Pricing**         | Per course                       | Per time increment           |

If you run **teaching**, choose **Courses**. If you run **rentals**, choose **Hire**.

## Related guides

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Card title="Set up a course" icon="graduation-cap" href="/activities/course-setup">
    Step-by-step guide to creating a taught course.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Set up a hire" icon="ship" href="/activities/hire-setup">
    Configure a time-based hire with increments and resources.
  </Card>
</Columns>