A reminder template's type determines which event it can be scheduled from. Pistonlog ships with six template types, plus one-off Custom sends:
| Type | Scheduled from |
|---|---|
| MOT | An MOT-tagged job at jobcard completion (fixed 12-month interval from the work date) |
| Service | A Service-tagged job at jobcard completion, using the job's service interval |
| Timing Belt | A Timing-Belt-tagged job at jobcard completion, using the job's timing-belt interval |
| Appointment | An appointment date created on a jobcard |
| Appointment Confirmation | Sent immediately when you send a confirmation (no countdown; this template just customises the wording) |
| Appointment Changes | Sent immediately when you send a rescheduling notice (no countdown; customises the wording) |
| Custom (one-off) | Not a template type: a date you specify when sending via Send Custom |
Email vs SMS styling
The MOT / Service / Timing Belt / Appointment types use a rich email layout: a coloured banner (amber for MOT / Service / Timing Belt, light blue for Appointment), a UK number-plate display, a "due in X days" countdown line, and Call / WhatsApp / Email CTA buttons at the bottom.
Custom one-off reminders use a simpler layout: a light blue "Vehicle Reminder" header, your message body, and an optional vehicle line. No plate display, no countdown, no CTAs.
SMS reminders are plain text on every type — there's no rich formatting in an SMS.
Picking a type
Use whichever fits the event you're triggering on. MOT and Appointment are unambiguous. MOT / Service / Timing Belt depend on the job being tagged with the matching type before the jobcard is completed. Use a one-off Custom send when you need to send a reminder for something not on the standard list — see Sending a one-off reminder.