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

# Triggers

> Choose how a workflow starts: automatically from an event, or manually.

A trigger starts a workflow. Select the **Start** node and choose a trigger type: **Automatic** or **Manual**.

## Automatic

Automatic workflows start when a selected event occurs, such as a conversation being created or a customer sending a message.

1. Select the **Start** node.
2. Set **Trigger type** to **Automatic**.
3. Add one or more events. The workflow starts when any selected event occurs.

Some events support filters, so the workflow starts only when specific details match.

### Conversation events

* Conversation created
* Conversation ended
* Conversation updated
* Conversation status changed
* Conversation priority changed
* Conversation assignee changed
* Conversation team changed
* Human handoff requested
* Human handoff accepted
* Conversation returned to AI

### Message events

* Customer sends first message
* Customer sends any message
* AI Agent sends a message
* Teammate sends a message
* Internal note added

### Contact events

* Contact created
* Contact updated

### AI Agent events

* AI action executed

## Manual

Manual workflows do not listen for events. They start only when something invokes them, such as a **Run workflow** AI action.

Use a manual workflow when the AI should start a process during the conversation, for example onboarding or creating a support ticket.

1. Select the **Start** node.
2. Set **Trigger type** to **Manual**.
3. Publish and activate the workflow.
4. Create a **Run workflow** action and select this workflow.

The action only lists published, active manual workflows. After you change the trigger type, publish again before configuring the action.