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How It Works
A smart algorithm that turns your limited PTO into maximum time off
The Core Idea
Holiday Optimizer uses dynamic programming to find smart ways to distribute your PTO days across the year. By cleverly combining your PTO with weekends, holidays, and company shutdowns, it creates longer breaks while using fewer vacation days.
Example: 9-Day Break
Using only 3 PTO days, you get 9 consecutive days off
The Algorithm
Parse Your Inputs
The optimizer builds a calendar for your chosen timeframe, marking every weekend, public holiday, company shutdown, and pre-booked PTO day.
Calculate PTO Costs
Using prefix sums, the algorithm instantly computes how many PTO days are needed for any date range, accounting for all your free days.
Dynamic Programming Magic
The algorithm explores every possible break combination using memoization, respecting your strategy spacing and length rules.
Return Your Plan
The optimizer reconstructs the selected breaks with full transparency—showing exactly which PTO days to book and how they maximize your consecutive time off.
Strategy Presets
Each strategy has different rules for break spacing and length. The algorithm enforces these constraints while finding arrangements that maximize your consecutive time off.
Balanced
Mix of short and long breaks distributed throughout the year
Long Weekends
Frequent 3-4 day escapes near weekends
Mini Breaks
Week-long trips every couple weeks
Week Long
Longer vacations spaced out
Extended
Maximum length breaks, infrequent but epic
Why This Approach Works
- Respects all constraints (pre-booked PTO, company shutdowns, custom weekends)
- Uses dynamic programming to find the best arrangement for your preferences
- Instant results—no waiting, no complicated spreadsheets
- Fully transparent—shows exactly why each break was chosen
- This plan is a helpful draft. Feel free to tweak it to match your preferences
Ready to optimize your year?
Put the algorithm to work on your schedule. Enter your PTO days, select your location, and get your personalized plan in seconds.
Launch Optimizer