Your first automation

Create the automation

1. 1
   Open Automations

   In the sidebar, open Automations and select New automation.

2. 2
   Name it and pick a trigger

   Enter a name and choose Comment keyword, DM keyword or Story reply. Instagram is the only platform for now.

3. 3
   Create it

   Select Create automation. It is saved as a draft and opens in the flow builder.

You can also start from a ready-made flow, see templates. The flow builder needs a screen at least 1024 pixels wide; on a phone, use a laptop or desktop for this part.

Set the trigger and the message

A new automation starts with two connected steps: a trigger and a message. Select a step on the canvas to edit it in the panel on the right.

• Trigger

  Enter one or more keywords separated by commas, for example link, guide. For a comment trigger, also choose whether it answers all posts or specific ones. See triggers and keywords.

• Message

  Write the DM. {{first_name}} and {{username}} personalise it. See messages, quick replies and buttons.

Test it

Select Test flow in the toolbar and type a sample comment or message. The panel shows each step a real run would take, and nothing is sent. See test a flow.

Publish, save or pause

Publishing is refused while a flow check is open, for example a trigger without a message or a comment reply with buttons. The first problem is selected on the canvas, and the full list is under Flow checks in the step library.

Watch it work

With no step selected, the right panel of the flow builder shows Recent activity: who commented or wrote what, whether a public reply went out, and whether the run succeeded, is waiting or failed, with the reason. Replies also appear in the inbox.