first draft

wix-bookings/guides/Wix Bookings Life Cycle.md

@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+# Wix Bookings Lifecycle
+
+Managing bookings with Wix is a process tracked through various stages using a lifecycle status. 
+This status is instrumental in controlling potential actions, such as confirming a pending booking, and ensures a smooth transition of the booking from start to finish.
+
+Below is a brief outline of possible booking statuses:
+
+- `CREATED`: This is the initial status of a booking, indicating creation but not yet visibility on the business calendar. 
+    + It can be used for checkout or undergo separate processing. To create a booking, use [Create Booking](https://dev.wix.com/api/rest/wix-bookings/bookings-v2/create-booking).
+
+- `CONFIRMED`: The approval of the booking by the site owner is indicated by this status, and it becomes visible on the business calendar. 
+    + You can manually switch a booking from `PENDING` to `CONFIRMED` using [Confirm Booking](https://dev.wix.com/api/rest/wix-bookings/bookings-v2/confirm-booking). 
+    + A booking can auto-confirm when the [service](https://dev.wix.com/api/rest/wix-bookings/services/service/create-service) is set to do so 
+    + A booking can also auto-confirm when the eCommerce order gets approved (coming soon)
+
+
+- `PENDING`: This status denotes that the booking awaits confirmation or declination by the owner and is visible on the business calendar. 
+    + The system automatically assigns this status when a related eCommerce order is created.
+
+- `WAITING_LIST`: This status implies that the booking is on a waiting list. 
+    + To create such bookings, you need to use the [Waitlist APIs](https://dev.wix.com/api/rest/wix-bookings/waitlist/introduction). 
+
+- `DECLINED`: This status indicates the site owner's rejection of the booking. 
+    + You can manually decline a booking using [Decline Booking](https://dev.wix.com/api/rest/wix-bookings/bookings-v2/decline-booking). 
+    + The system automatically declines bookings when an associated eCommerce order is declined.  
+    + The system also declines double bookings for free bookings..
+
+- `CANCELED`: This status arises when the site owner or the customer cancels the booking. 
+    + To cancel a booking, use [Cancel Booking](https://dev.wix.com/api/rest/wix-bookings/bookings-v2/cancel-booking).
+
+Bookings can be confirmed with or without payment, but there are a few details to keep in mind:
+- Payment ensures confirmation, even under `DOUBLEBOOKING`.
+- [Confirm or Decline](https://dev.wix.com/api/rest/wix-bookings/confirmation/confirm-or-decline-booking) validates bookings, checking for availability and business confirmation.
+- `DOUBLEBOOKING` is also permissible without payment by setting `skipAvailability` as `true` at booking creation.
+
+The diagram below showcases the status transitions throughout the booking life cycle:
+
+![blifecycle](./../../media/Blifecycle.png)
+
+The flow of a booking can be changed with `flowControlSettings`:
+- A booking will auto-confirm and not go to pending if it was defined to skip business confirmation.
+- A booking will never be a double booking is the availability check is skipped.
+Learn more about `flowControlSettings`(#createBooking)