Cabinet-usage questions, answered
Fourteen of the most common questions we hear about the Ally cabinet itself. For sign-in questions see FAQ · Login.
How do I book a session?
From the cabinet dashboard, click Book on your mentor's card. A weekly grid shows available 45-minute slots; click one to confirm. A confirmation email is sent and the slot appears on your dashboard immediately.
Where does the video call happen?
Inside your cabinet, in the same browser tab you signed in on. No plugin, no download, no external meeting URL. Ally provisions an end-to-end encrypted room a few minutes before the session start.
Can I record the session?
Only with both sides consenting. When either party clicks Record the other must accept in the room before recording begins. Recordings live in the cabinet timeline; you may delete any at any time.
How does mentor matching work?
During intake you answer three questions about focus area, time preference and language. Ally proposes a shortlist of three mentors; you pick one. Change mentors any time from the cabinet — the switch takes effect from the next booked session.
Can I reschedule?
Yes — from the session card, up to twelve hours before the start on Standard and up to two hours before on Plus. Later than that the session counts toward your monthly cap.
What are shared notes?
A live-editing document tied to each session, visible to you and your mentor. Both sides can write during the call and between calls; every version is saved and searchable. Notes stay accessible for as long as your Ally account exists.
What is the homework tracker?
A checklist attached to each session with items you and the mentor agreed on. Between sessions the cabinet nudges you on day five, and the mentor sees which items you ticked (not what you wrote in the private note field).
Can I message my mentor between sessions?
Yes — Standard includes one thread per session; Plus is unlimited. Threads are asynchronous, not chat — the mentor typically replies within one working day.
How do I switch plan?
Account settings → billing → change plan. Upgrades take effect immediately (new session cap applies today); downgrades take effect at the next billing cycle to honour sessions already booked.
How is billing handled?
Monthly plans: card or bank Direct Debit, first of every month. Yearly plans: one invoice at start, no auto-renewal by default. VAT receipts are issued as signed PDFs and stored under invoices in the cabinet.
What is your refund policy?
Pro-rata refund within 30 days on any plan under the UK Consumer Rights Act 2015. See refund policy.
What if I need a different language?
Ally currently serves English mentorship. Mentors may be bilingual (French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Polish) — filter during intake if language matters.
Is my cabinet accessible?
Ally targets WCAG 2.2 AA. Screen readers work on the whole cabinet; keyboard navigation covers every action. Video captions are available live during calls (opt-in per session).
Can I export my cabinet?
Yes — account settings → data export. Delivered as a signed PDF plus JSON via a 48-hour secure link. Includes all notes, homework, session metadata and message threads.