User Guide

Everything you need to know to get the most out of the DBD app.

Getting Started

Welcome to DBD! This app helps you manage your Bus Átha Cliath duties by importing your roster and displaying it in an easy-to-use calendar format.

Creating Your Account

When you first open the app, you'll need to create an account:

1

Sign Up

You can create an account using your email address or sign in with Google. Both options work equally well.

2

Optional Profile Info

You can optionally add your staff number and employment start date. This is for your reference only and helps with personalisation.

3

You're Ready!

Once logged in, you'll see your calendar. The first thing you'll want to do is import your duties.

Tip

Using Google sign-in means you don't need to remember another password, and it's quicker to log back in if needed.

Calendar View

The calendar is your main view in DBD. It shows all your imported duties at a glance.

Understanding the Calendar

Month View

See your entire month at once. Tap any day to see that day's duty details.

Duty Times

Each duty shows sign-on and sign-off times, so you always know when you're working.

Duty Types

Different duty types are colour-coded so you can quickly identify shifts, rest days, and annual leave.

Quick Search

Use the search feature to quickly find specific duties or jump to a particular date.

Navigating the Calendar

  • Swipe left/right to move between months
  • Tap a day to see full duty details
  • Tap today's date button to quickly return to the current day
  • Use the month/year picker at the top to jump to any date

Importing Duties

DBD uses special .dbd files to import your roster data. These files are prepared specifically for the app and contain all the duty information for your garage.

Getting Your DBD File

DBD roster files are shared between drivers via WhatsApp. When you receive a .dbd file from a colleague, WhatsApp may auto-save it to your device.

1

Receive a DBD File via WhatsApp

Ask a colleague to share the .dbd file for your garage via WhatsApp. Once received, it will be saved to your device.

2

Locate the File on Your Device

If WhatsApp has auto-save enabled, the file will be in your phone's storage at: Internal Storage → Android → media → com.whatsapp → WhatsApp → Media → WhatsApp Documents. Look for files ending in .dbd.

Importing the DBD File

1

Go to App Settings

In the app, tap the menu icon (three lines) and select "App Settings", then tap "Import Data Backup".

2

Select Your DBD File

Browse to find the .dbd file you downloaded. It's usually in your Downloads folder. Select the file to begin the import wizard.

3

Follow the Import Wizard

The wizard will guide you through selecting your roster. Choose your roster by staff number or roster name from the list.

4

Review & Confirm

Preview the duties that will be imported. If everything looks correct, tap "Import" to add them to your calendar.

About DBD Files

DBD files (.dbd) are specially formatted roster files that work exclusively with the DBD app. They contain pre-processed duty data optimised for quick and accurate importing.

Handling Duplicates

If you try to import duties that already exist in your memory, DBD will detect the duplicates and ask what you want to do:

  • Skip duplicates - Only import new duties
  • Replace existing - Update existing duties with the imported data
  • Cancel - Don't import anything

Tip

Check the Download page regularly for updated roster files. We publish new files as soon as rosters are released.

Viewing Duty Details

Tap on any day in the calendar to see the full details of your duty.

What You'll See

Duty Number

Your assigned duty number for the day.

Sign-On/Off Times

When you start and finish, including the total working hours.

Route Information

The route(s) you'll be operating, with timing details.

Break Times

Scheduled break periods during your duty.

Duty Segments

For duties with multiple segments (e.g., split shifts or different routes), each segment is displayed separately showing:

  • Segment start and end times
  • Route number and direction
  • Start and end locations
  • Vehicle/bus information (if available)

Backup & Restore

Your data is automatically saved to your device. You can create backup files to transfer your data to a new phone or share duty templates with colleagues.

Creating a Backup

Export your data to a .dbd file that you can save or share:

  1. Go to App Settings (tap the menu icon, then "App Settings")
  2. Tap "Export Data Backup"
  3. Choose what to include (duties, calendar, notes, etc.)
  4. Save the .dbd file to your device or share it via WhatsApp

Restoring a Backup

Import a backup file to restore your data:

  1. Go to App Settings
  2. Tap "Import Data Backup"
  3. Select the .dbd file from your device
  4. Choose which sections to restore

Tip

Create a backup before importing a new roster, just in case you need to restore your previous data. You can also share your backup file with colleagues to help them get started quickly.

Settings & Preferences

Customise DBD to work the way you prefer.

Available Settings

Theme

Choose between light, dark, or system theme to match your preference.

Notifications

Set up reminders for upcoming duties so you never miss a shift.

Default Garage

Set your default garage so imports are quicker.

Week Start

Choose whether your week starts on Sunday or Monday.

Accessing Settings

Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top corner, then select "Settings".

Tips & Tricks

Get the most out of DBD with these helpful tips.

Keep Your App Updated

We regularly add new features and improvements. Check the download page for the latest version.

Import Early

Download and import new DBD files as soon as they're available on the Download page. This gives you plenty of time to plan around your shifts.

Use Cloud Backup

Stay logged in to ensure your data is backed up. If you get a new phone, just log in and your duties will be there.

Check Duty Details

Always tap on your duty to see the full breakdown. The calendar view shows summary info, but the detail view has everything.

Offline Access

The app works completely offline. Your duties are stored on your device, so you can check them even without internet.

Troubleshooting

Having issues? Here are solutions to common problems.

Import Problems

"File format not recognised"

Make sure you're using a .dbd file downloaded from the Download page. Only official DBD roster files are supported.

"No rosters found"

Ensure you've downloaded the correct DBD file for your garage. Each garage has its own file. Check the Download page to find the right file.

Login Issues

"Unable to sign in"

Check your internet connection. If using email/password, make sure you're using the correct credentials. You can reset your password from the login screen.

App Performance

App running slowly

Try closing and reopening the app. If the issue persists, clear the app cache in your phone's settings, or reinstall the app (your data is backed up if you're logged in).

Still Need Help?

If you can't find a solution here, please contact us and we'll be happy to help. Include as much detail as possible about the issue you're experiencing.

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