> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://flapjax.gitbook.io/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://flapjax.gitbook.io/docs/automations/triggers-and-scheduling.md).

# Triggers & Scheduling

A trigger decides when an automation runs and who takes part. Sequences offer four kinds, workflows two.

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### Trigger Types

#### Manual Trigger

{% hint style="info" %}
Note: sequences only.
{% endhint %}

A manual automation runs on nobody's schedule. You enrol people one at a time from the [People page](/docs/your-data/people/managing-people.md) with the Enrol in Sequence action, or in bulk from the batch action bar. Other automations can enrol people through the same action.

The trigger needs no configuration.

#### Rule-Based Trigger

The automation fires whenever a specific event happens.

**Choosing an event.** Pick from the event dropdown. The available events are:

* **Person events**: person added, person updated, person deleted
* **Label events**: label assigned to a person, label removed from a person
* **Communication events**: an email, SMS or WhatsApp delivery status arriving
* **Stack events**: record added, record updated, record deleted, with one option per stack in your workspace

**Narrowing the audience.** After choosing an event you can:

* **Filter by segment**, which fires only for people in a specific segment.
* **Add custom rules**, built in the rule builder with AND and OR logic. "Email contains @company.com AND label equals VIP", for instance.

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#### Specific Date and Time

Note: sequences only.

The automation runs once, at a moment you choose. Configure:

* **Date**, the calendar date it runs on
* **Time**, the time of day it runs at
* **Timezone**, the timezone the date and time belong to

The timezone is a **per-automation field**. Flapjax pre-fills it with your default, meaning your account timezone if you set one and your browser's otherwise, and you can change it for this schedule.

That saved value governs when the automation fires, not your [account timezone setting](/docs/settings/account/timezone.md). Changing your account timezone later leaves an existing schedule where it is.

Add a segment filter and custom rules to narrow who takes part when the automation fires.

Activating it moves the automation to Scheduled. Once it executes, the status becomes Fired and it never runs again.

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#### Recurring Schedule

The automation runs repeatedly on a pattern you define. The frequency options are:

* **Hourly**, running every hour at the minute you name, such as every hour at :30
* **Daily**, running once a day at the time and timezone you set
* **Weekly**, running on the weekdays you select, at the time and timezone you set. At least one day is required.
* **Monthly**, running on a specific day of the month, at the time and timezone you set

Daily, weekly and monthly schedules each need both a time and a timezone.

Add a segment filter and custom rules to narrow which people or records join each firing.

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### Re-Entry Policy

Automations with Manual, Rule-based or Recurring triggers let you control what happens when a person still inside qualifies to enter again.

* **Unlimited re-entries** lets the person enter as often as they qualify.
* **No re-entries allowed** keeps them out until they exit.
* **Limited re-entries** sets a maximum number of entries, with 1 as the minimum.

Specific Date and Time triggers skip this setting, since those automations run once.

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### Sequences and workflows compared

|                        | Sequences                                                      | Workflows                      |
| ---------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------ |
| Available triggers     | Manual, Rule-based, Specific Date and Time, Recurring Schedule | Rule-based, Recurring Schedule |
| Context                | One person from the trigger event                              | Batch data or scheduled tasks  |
| Manual enrolment       | Supported, from the People page or other automations           | Not supported                  |
| Specific Date and Time | Supported, running once at a chosen moment                     | Not supported                  |

{% hint style="info" %}
Tip: pick a Sequence when the automation centres on one person's journey, such as onboarding emails or lead nurturing. Pick a Workflow to process data on a schedule or react to system-wide events.
{% endhint %}