> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.guile.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Clients overview

> Manage a barber's client roster, private notes, and smart groups

Use the Clients API when a barber manages the people they cut: the roster,
private notes, and smart groups that drive booking rules.

## What you do first

1. [List clients](/api-reference/clients/list-clients) for the authenticated
   barber, or [add a client](/api-reference/clients/add-a-client) when someone
   new walks in.
2. [Import clients](/api-reference/clients/import-clients) when moving a roster
   from another tool.
3. [Retrieve a client](/api-reference/clients/retrieve-a-client) for detail,
   then keep private notes under the Notes operations.
4. [List smart groups](/api-reference/clients/list-smart-groups-of-clients) and
   [update smart group rules](/api-reference/clients/update-smart-group-rules)
   when booking policy depends on who the client is.

## States that matter

| Surface           | What it means for the next call                                                |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Active roster     | Removed clients leave the roster and smart groups; history stays for reporting |
| Smart group rules | Card authorization and booking windows are configured per group                |
| Private notes     | Visible only to the owning barber                                              |

## When a call fails

Failures come back as problem documents. Open the `type` link for the cause,
the fix, and whether retrying is safe. Common ones include a duplicate client,
an invalid client reference, and import payloads that cannot be parsed.

## Related paths

* Booking holds that use group policy live under [Appointments](/api-reference/Appointments/overview).
* The signed-in shopper profile lives under [Customers](/api-reference/Customers/overview).