> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.mailgreet.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Triggers & Actions

> Understand automation triggers and actions to build powerful email workflows

# Triggers & Actions

Automation in MailGreet is built on two core concepts: **triggers** (what starts a workflow) and **actions** (what happens in the workflow).

***

## What are Triggers?

A trigger is an event that starts an automation workflow. When the trigger condition is met, the workflow begins executing its actions.

<Tip>
  Choose triggers that align with meaningful moments in your subscriber's journey.
</Tip>

***

## Available Triggers

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="New Subscriber Joins" icon="user-plus">
    **Fires when:** A new subscriber is added to your list

    **Options:**

    * All subscribers
    * Specific groups only
    * With specific source (import, API, form)

    **Common uses:**

    * Welcome email series
    * Onboarding sequences
    * Lead nurturing
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Subscriber Updated" icon="user-pen">
    **Fires when:** Subscriber data changes

    **Options:**

    * Any field update
    * Specific field changes
    * Group membership changes

    **Common uses:**

    * Profile completion reminders
    * Preference-based content
    * Lifecycle stage transitions
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Email Opened" icon="envelope-open">
    **Fires when:** Subscriber opens a specific email

    **Options:**

    * Any campaign
    * Specific campaign
    * After specific delay

    **Common uses:**

    * Follow-up for engaged readers
    * Content upgrade offers
    * Deeper engagement sequences
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Link Clicked" icon="mouse-pointer">
    **Fires when:** Subscriber clicks a link in your email

    **Options:**

    * Any link
    * Specific URL
    * Link category

    **Common uses:**

    * Interest-based follow-up
    * Product recommendations
    * Sales sequences
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Date-Based" icon="calendar">
    **Fires on:** A specific date or recurring schedule

    **Options:**

    * Fixed date
    * Subscriber's custom date field (birthday, anniversary)
    * Relative to signup date

    **Common uses:**

    * Birthday emails
    * Anniversary celebrations
    * Renewal reminders
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="No Engagement" icon="clock">
    **Fires when:** Subscriber hasn't engaged for a period

    **Options:**

    * No opens for X days
    * No clicks for X days
    * No activity for X days

    **Common uses:**

    * Re-engagement campaigns
    * Win-back sequences
    * List cleaning alerts
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Custom Event (API)" icon="code">
    **Fires when:** Your application sends a custom event

    **Options:**

    * Custom event name
    * Event properties for filtering

    **Common uses:**

    * Purchase confirmations
    * App activity triggers
    * Custom milestone tracking
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## What are Actions?

Actions are the steps that execute after a trigger fires. You can combine multiple actions in sequence.

***

## Available Actions

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Send Email" icon="envelope">
    Send a specific email template to the subscriber
  </Card>

  <Card title="Wait" icon="clock">
    Pause the workflow for a specified time period
  </Card>

  <Card title="Add to Group" icon="user-group">
    Add the subscriber to one or more groups
  </Card>

  <Card title="Remove from Group" icon="user-minus">
    Remove the subscriber from a group
  </Card>

  <Card title="Update Field" icon="pen">
    Update a subscriber's custom field value
  </Card>

  <Card title="Add Tag" icon="tag">
    Apply a tag to the subscriber
  </Card>

  <Card title="Webhook" icon="webhook">
    Send data to an external URL
  </Card>

  <Card title="End Workflow" icon="stop">
    Stop the workflow for this subscriber
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Conditional Logic

Add conditions to make your workflows smarter:

### If/Else Conditions

Branch your workflow based on subscriber data:

```
IF subscriber.status = "VIP"
  → Send VIP Email
  → Wait 1 day
  → Send VIP Follow-up
ELSE
  → Send Standard Email
  → Wait 3 days
  → Send Standard Follow-up
```

### Filter Conditions

Only continue for subscribers matching criteria:

| Condition Type       | Example                          |
| -------------------- | -------------------------------- |
| **Field Value**      | First name is not empty          |
| **Group Membership** | Is in "Customers" group          |
| **Engagement**       | Has opened email in last 30 days |
| **Location**         | Country is United States         |

***

## Building a Workflow

<Steps>
  <Step title="Choose a Trigger">
    Select what event starts your workflow
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add Actions">
    Drag and drop actions to build your sequence
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Timing">
    Set wait periods between actions
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add Conditions">
    Use if/else logic for personalized paths
  </Step>

  <Step title="Test">
    Run a test subscriber through the workflow
  </Step>

  <Step title="Activate">
    Turn on the workflow to start processing
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Best Practices

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Keep It Simple">
    Start with simple workflows. Complex workflows can be hard to debug and maintain.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Test Thoroughly">
    Always test with real email addresses before activating. Check timing and conditions.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Set Reasonable Delays">
    Don't send too many emails too quickly. Respect your subscribers' time.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Monitor Performance">
    Regularly check workflow analytics to optimize your sequences.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Allow Exit Points">
    Give subscribers ways to exit sequences (unsubscribe, goal reached).
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Related Topics

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Creating Workflows" icon="diagram-project" href="/creating-workflows">
    Step-by-step workflow creation guide
  </Card>

  <Card title="Automation Templates" icon="shapes" href="/automation-templates">
    Pre-built automation sequences
  </Card>
</CardGroup>