Automation
Automate recurring work
Automations perform repeatable actions when a defined rule matches. Use them for low-risk, predictable updates that should happen the same way every time.
Use Automations to:
- Reduce repeated manual task updates.
- Keep routine handoffs consistent.
- Notify or assign people when a predictable change happens.
- Standardize rules inside a Space.
- Troubleshoot repeat updates safely.
Automation Help Topics
Terms to know
- Trigger is the event that starts an automation rule.
- Condition narrows when the rule should apply.
- Action is what the app performs after the rule matches.
- Scope decides where the rule can apply.
- Status controls whether a rule is active, paused, or inactive when the builder provides that option.
- Safe test item is a low-risk item used to verify behavior before relying on the rule.
Before you start
- You need permission to view automations.
- Your plan must include automation access.
- The app must be online.
- Use test items before enabling a rule for important work.
How automation behavior works
- Open Automations.
- Wait for the builder to load.
- Create or select an automation rule.
- Define the trigger, conditions, action, and scope.
- Save the rule.
- Test it with a safe item.
- Adjust the rule if it is too broad or too narrow.
Expected outcome: Repeatable updates happen consistently with less manual work.
Good Automation Candidates
- Assign a reviewer when a task reaches a review status.
- Notify a team when a task becomes blocked.
- Add a reminder when follow-up is needed.
- Apply a routine update when a predictable field changes.
Poor Automation Candidates
Avoid automation when:
- The decision needs human judgment.
- The rule could update many items unexpectedly.
- The trigger or condition is not clearly defined.
- The result would be difficult to reverse.
Troubleshooting
Automations does not load
- Symptom: You see loading, retry, no-access, upgrade, or no-internet messaging.
- Cause: The app may be offline, your role may not allow access, the plan may not include automations, or the builder may not have initialized.
- Resolution:
- Confirm you are online.
- Retry the page.
- Confirm the active Space.
- Ask a Space admin to check access.
- Ask the billing owner to confirm plan availability if an upgrade prompt appears.
I cannot find a rule result
- Symptom: You expected a rule to make a change, but you cannot see it.
- Cause: The rule may not have matched, may be inactive, or may not have access to the target item.
- Resolution:
- Open the affected item.
- Confirm the trigger actually happened.
- Compare the item to every condition.
- Test the same rule with a safe item.
FAQ
Should every repeated action become an automation?
No. Automate stable, predictable work. Keep judgment-heavy decisions manual.
Can automations run offline?
No. Automation management requires the app to be online.