Calibration frames help stacking software separate real signal from camera noise, dust shadows, vignetting, and sensor patterns. They are not magic, but they do give your edit a cleaner starting point.
Lights
Light frames are the actual photos of the target. The rest of the calibration workflow exists to support these frames.
Darks
Dark frames are exposures with the same settings as your lights, but with no light reaching the sensor. They help remove thermal noise and hot pixels.
Flats
Flat frames correct dust spots and uneven illumination. Keep the focus position and optical train the same as the lights, then capture an evenly lit frame.
Bias or dark flats
Bias and dark flats help calibrate the flats. Which one you use depends on your camera and workflow, but the key is consistency.
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Keep a repeatable process
The best calibration routine is the one you can repeat when you are cold, tired, and packing up after midnight.