# Create an automation

> Create an automation draft, choose from the triggers available in the builder, and add field or related-record conditions.

URL: https://www.agencytitan.com/help/automations/create-an-automation/

Create an automation from the list, then drag a trigger from the node palette onto the builder canvas. A trigger defines when AgencyTitan starts a run.

## Who this is for

Agency team members who design automations. Requires **View Automations**, **Create Automations**, and **Edit Automations**. Without **Create Automations**, **New Automation** does not appear.

## Before you begin

- Decide what event or schedule should start the automation.
- Identify the record fields, users, departments, or connected integrations the automation needs.
- Read [Automations overview](/help/automations/overview/) if draft, published, active, and inactive states are new to you.

## Create the draft

1. Open **Settings**, then **Automations** ([/settings/automations](https://app.agencytitan.com/settings/automations)).
2. Select **New Automation**.
3. Enter **Automation Name**.
4. Optionally enter a description so teammates can understand its purpose from the list.
5. Select **Create Automation**.

AgencyTitan opens the **Builder** with a draft and an empty canvas.

## Choose a trigger

Expand a category under **TRIGGERS**, then drag the trigger onto the canvas.

![Published automation builder with the Tasks trigger category expanded to show the available task event triggers](/docs/screenshots/automations-v1/trigger-palette.png)

The current builder groups triggers as follows:

| Category | Trigger examples shown in the builder |
| --- | --- |
| **General** | Inbound Webhook, On a Schedule, Button/Link Clicked |
| **Clients** | Client Created, Client Updated, Client Merged, client notes, client programs, and billing events |
| **Custom Objects** | Custom Object Record Created, Updated, or Deleted |
| **Forms** | Form Submission Ready, Rejected, or Arrived |
| **Integrations** | Events from available Mailgun, Google Workspace, Facebook Pages, Instagram, HighLevel, Twilio, Zoom, and Stripe connections |
| **SOPs** | SOP Updated, Published, Archived, or Feedback Received |
| **Tasks** | Task Created, Updated, Stage Changed, Stale Stage, Completed, or Merged |
| **Tickets** | Ticket creation, updates, status, priority, assignment, messages, inbox moves, SLA events, review events, and linked-task events |
| **Escalations** | Escalation Created, Updated, Status Changed, Reassigned, or Comment Added |
| **Training** | Course and assessment completion, pass, fail, or submission events |
| **Users** | User Invited or User Setup Completed |

Integration choices can differ by agency and connection state. Search **Nodes** when you know the trigger name but not its category.

## Configure the trigger

1. Select the trigger node.
2. Optionally replace its label with a name that explains the event.
3. Complete any trigger-specific settings. For example, **On a Schedule** requires a schedule type and timezone.
4. Select **Save** in the configuration panel.

The issue counter in the builder toolbar lists missing or invalid required settings. Resolve those issues before publishing.

## Add conditions

Use trigger conditions when the automation should start for only some matching events.

1. Open the trigger node and select **Add condition**.
2. Choose **Standard Condition** for a field on the trigger record, or **Related-Record Condition** to traverse to a related record.
3. Select a field and comparison.
4. Choose **Fixed value** or **Compare to field**, then complete the value.
5. Select **Done**.
6. Add more conditions or a group when needed.
7. Choose whether the group should match **All** or **Any** conditions.
8. Select **Save** on the trigger panel, then **Save Draft** in the toolbar.

![Add condition dialog for a Task Stage Changed trigger with Task Status, Equals, and In Progress configured](/docs/screenshots/automations-v1/trigger-condition.png)

Reopen the trigger after saving and confirm each condition still appears before you publish.

:::caution[Verify conditions after reload]
After saving conditions, reload the builder and reopen the trigger. If a condition is missing, keep the automation inactive and [submit a ticket](/help/submit-a-ticket/) rather than publishing a broader trigger than intended.
:::

## Expected result

- The new automation appears in the list as a draft.
- The builder shows at least one configured trigger node.
- The toolbar issue count falls as required settings are completed.
- Saved conditions appear when you reopen the trigger.

## Troubleshooting

| Symptom | Likely cause | What to do |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **New Automation** is missing | You lack **Create Automations** | Ask a workspace owner to grant **Create Automations** |
| Trigger is not in the palette | It is unavailable in this automation context or connection state | Search **Nodes**, check its category, and confirm the required integration is available |
| **Save** stays disabled | A required trigger setting is incomplete | Review the configuration errors in the panel |
| Condition does not appear after reopening the trigger | The condition did not persist in the draft | Add it again, select **Done**, save the node, select **Save Draft**, and [submit a ticket](/help/submit-a-ticket/) if it disappears again |
| Publish control is blocked | The issue counter has one or more validation errors | Open the issue counter and resolve every listed item |

## Related articles

- [Automations overview](https://www.agencytitan.com/help/automations/overview/): Understand where automations live, how triggers and connected steps work, and how draft, published, active, and inactive states differ.
- [Add actions and steps](https://www.agencytitan.com/help/automations/add-actions-and-steps/): Add and configure actions, connect nodes in execution order, and use control-flow and utility steps in the automation builder.
- [Publish and manage automations](https://www.agencytitan.com/help/automations/publish-and-manage/): Publish and activate an automation, edit a live version safely, restore an older version as a draft, duplicate, organize, or delete.
- [Common automation recipes](https://www.agencytitan.com/help/automations/common-recipes/): Build a task-stage notification and a weekday scheduled reminder with the triggers and actions available in AgencyTitan.
- [Troubleshoot automations](https://www.agencytitan.com/help/automations/troubleshoot-automations/): Diagnose validation issues, missing runs, inactive automations, and failed steps using the builder and Activity execution details.