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

# SendWhale Automations Overview: Triggers, Actions, Flows

> Use the automation workflow builder to send emails automatically based on triggers, conditions, actions, and contact enrollment rules.

Automations let you send emails automatically based on contact behavior or conditions — without manually scheduling each message. You design a workflow once in the visual builder, then SendWhale handles enrollment and execution as contacts match your trigger criteria.

## How automations work

The **workflow builder** is a visual editor where you design the full shape of an automation flow. You place triggers, conditions, delays, and actions on a canvas, then connect them into a sequence SendWhale follows for every enrolled contact.

### Triggers

A trigger is the event that starts a contact's journey through the workflow. Supported triggers include:

* A contact joins an audience
* A contact updates a field
* A date-based trigger (e.g., a contact's anniversary date)
* Other supported events — open the builder to see all available triggers for your plan

### Actions

Actions are the steps SendWhale performs for each enrolled contact. Supported actions include:

* Send an email
* Wait a delay period
* Apply a tag to a contact
* Update a contact field
* Other supported actions — check the builder for the full list

### Conditions

Add conditions to branch your workflow based on contact attributes or previous behavior. A condition evaluates to true or false and routes contacts down different paths, letting you send different messages to different segments within the same automation.

### Contact enrollment

Contacts enter a workflow when they match the trigger condition. Each contact follows the workflow steps in order, respecting any delays or branching conditions you have configured.

<Info>
  Automation capabilities depend on your SendWhale plan. Check the builder for which triggers and actions are available on your plan.
</Info>


## Related topics

- [Build a SendWhale Automation Workflow: Step-by-Step Guide](/automations/build.md)
- [Activate, Pause, and Resume Automations in SendWhale](/automations/activate.md)
- [SendWhale Automation Logs: Monitor Execution and Errors](/automations/logs.md)
- [Build with SendWhale: API and integration overview](/developers/overview.md)
- [Review and Confirm Campaign Delivery Actions in Swell](/swell/campaign-actions.md)


This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.