Services
Service Categories
Last updated 8 July 2026
Service Categories
TL;DR
- Categories organise your service menu and storefront grouping.
- Manage categories from Services on web.
- Create categories while editing a service on web or mobile.
- Category names are unique per venue, ignoring case.
- Category descriptions can be written manually or with AI writing.
Service categories replace the old fixed industry category list. Each venue manages its own category names, descriptions, order, and optional calendar colour.
Who can manage categories?
Only the venue owner can create, rename, archive, recolour, or reorder categories. Category selection is available in service create and edit flows.
Categories are available on all plans. AI category description writing uses Spark when enabled for the venue.
Create a category
On web:
- Open Services.
- Open Manage categories.
- Enter the category Name.
- Add a Category description if clients should see one on the storefront.
- Select Create category.
You can also create a category from the Category field while creating or editing a service, collection, or combo.
On mobile:
- Create or edit a service.
- Use the category chip picker.
- Choose New.
- Enter the category name and save.
Descriptions and colours
Category descriptions are public storefront copy. The current limit is 240 characters. Use Write with AI or Rewrite with AI when the AI writing action is available.
Calendar colours are optional. The colour control is labelled Calendar colour and is used inside booking cards. Choose No colour to keep the category neutral.
Rename or archive a category
Renaming a category updates services that use the old category name.
Archiving a category removes it from active category lists. If services still use that category, OpenChair asks you to choose another active category before archiving.
Creating a category with the same name as an archived category reactivates the archived category instead of creating a duplicate.
Storefront behaviour
The storefront groups active public services by category. Category descriptions can appear with those groups. Category order comes from the venue's category order on web.
Categories can also be assigned to service collections and service combos so those items sit in the right part of the menu.
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Category name is rejected | Use a unique name. Names are checked case-insensitively. |
| Category description is too long | Keep it at or below 240 characters. |
| Cannot archive a category | Reassign the services that still use it, then archive again. |
| Category is not visible on the storefront | Confirm at least one active public service, collection, or combo uses it. |
| AI writing is unavailable | Check Spark balance and whether AI writing is enabled for the venue. |
FAQ
What are service categories?
Service categories are venue-specific groups used to organise services in management screens and on the public storefront.
Can I create a category while editing a service?
Yes. The service form lets owners create a category inline from the Category field.
What happens if I archive a category?
If services still use it, OpenChair asks you to reassign them first. After archiving, the category stops appearing in active category lists.