PSA: A ranger in Yosemite told me to always check the permit quota calendar before planning a trip

I was talking to a ranger at the Tuolumne Meadows station last week about a loop I wanted to do, and she said the biggest mistake she sees is people showing up without checking if walk-up permits are even available that day. She pulled up the online calendar and showed me how some trailheads fill up months ahead, while others might have spots. How do you guys plan around permit lotteries for popular routes?