setup.md

# Setup

## 1. Create a target Google Calendar

In Google Calendar, create a separate calendar named:

```text
Work Busy
```

Open its settings and copy the calendar ID. For a secondary calendar, it usually looks like an email-like ID ending in:

```text
@group.calendar.google.com
```

You can use `primary`, but a separate calendar is cleaner.

## 2. Get the Outlook private iCal link

In Outlook on the web:

1. Open Calendar.
2. Go to Settings.
3. Find shared calendars / publish calendar.
4. Publish your work calendar with availability only if your tenant allows it.
5. Copy the private `.ics` link.

If the company blocks calendar publishing, stop here and ask IT for an approved free/busy sharing method. Do not bypass company controls.

## 3. Create the Apps Script

1. Open <https://script.google.com/>.
2. Create a new project.
3. Paste the contents of `outlook-ics-to-google-busy.gs`.
4. Set project timezone to `Europe/Kyiv`.

## 4. Set script properties

In Apps Script:

`Project Settings` -> `Script Properties` -> add:

```text
OUTLOOK_ICS_URL = your private Outlook .ics URL
TARGET_CALENDAR_ID = your Google calendar ID, or primary
SYNC_DAYS = 45
SOURCE_TIMEZONE = Europe/Kyiv
```

Optional:

```text
BUSY_TITLE = Busy - Work
```

## 5. Run once

Run:

```text
syncOutlookBusyToGoogle
```

Approve Google Calendar and URL fetch permissions.

## 6. Add an automatic trigger

In Apps Script:

`Triggers` -> `Add Trigger`

Use:

```text
Function: syncOutlookBusyToGoogle
Event source: Time-driven
Type: Hour timer
Interval: Every 1 hour
```

## 7. iPhone and Mac

On iPhone:

`Settings` -> `Apps` -> `Calendar` -> `Calendar Accounts`

Enable calendars for:

- Microsoft 365 / Exchange
- Google
- iCloud, if used

On Mac:

`System Settings` -> `Internet Accounts`

Enable Calendars for the same accounts.

## Behavior

Each run deletes previously synced `Busy - Work` blocks inside the sync window and recreates them from the Outlook `.ics` feed.

The script does not copy:

- event titles
- descriptions
- locations
- attendees
- Teams links
- ConnectWise or customer/ticket details

## Known Limitations

If your Outlook `.ics` feed contains unexpanded recurring events instead of individual occurrences, this script only syncs non-recurring instances. Most published calendar feeds expose occurrences for the published window, but tenants can differ.