# Triggers, conditions, delays and actions

> How an automation workflow is built from one trigger and a chain of conditions, delays and actions, and what each can do.
>
> Source: https://docs.bcl.my/automation-triggers-actions/

Every automation is a workflow on a canvas. It starts with one **trigger**, the event that sets it off, followed by the steps BCL runs in order: **conditions** that decide whether to carry on, **delays** that wait, and **actions** that do the work.

*(Screenshot: A simple workflow: the Payment Success trigger joined to a Send Thank You Email action)*

## Triggers

A trigger listens for one event. Each automation has exactly one, and you choose it when you click **Select an Event** on a new automation.

*(Screenshot: The Select Trigger Event panel listing the lead and payment triggers)*

The triggers come in four groups:

| Group | Triggers |
| --- | --- |
| **Leads** | **New Lead Received** |
| **Payments** | **Payment Initiated**, **Payment Successful**, **Payment Failed**, **Payment Cancelled**, **Payment Completed**, **Status Changed**, **Order Shipped** |
| **Events** | **Participant Created**, **Participant Checked In**, **Certificate Generated** |
| **Affiliate** | **Referral Approved**, **Referral Rejected**, **New Affiliate Registered**, **Payout Requested** |

In each trigger's settings you can limit it to some forms. Leave the form list empty to run for all forms. On the **Automations** list, the **Trigger type** column uses slightly different names, such as **Transaction Success** for **Payment Successful** and **Form Submitted** for **New Lead Received**.

See [Automation triggers](/automation-triggers/) for what each one sends to the next steps.

## Actions

Click a node on the canvas and then **Add Node** to add the next step. The **Add Action** panel lists everything BCL can do:

*(Screenshot: The Add Action panel with the Messaging, Integrations and Flow Control groups)*

| Group | Nodes |
| --- | --- |
| **Messaging** | **Send Email**, **SMS Niaga**, **Send Wabot**, **Send WasapBot** |
| **Integrations** | **Add to Mail Niaga**, **Google Sheets**, **HTTP Request** |
| **Flow Control** | **Delay**, **Condition** |

WhatsApp, SMS, Mail Niaga and Google Sheets nodes need that service connected under **Platform Setup** → **Integrations** first. See [Automation actions](/automation-actions/) and [Send data with HTTP Request](/automation-http-request/).

## Conditions and delays

A **Condition** node checks the data from the trigger before the workflow goes on. You pick a **Field**, an **Operator** such as **Equals**, **Contains** or **Greater Than (>)**, and a **Value**. With several conditions, **Match Logic** decides whether all of them or any of them must match. See [Automation conditions](/automation-conditions/).

A **Delay** node waits before the next step. Choose **For a Specific Period** and set a **Duration** and **Time Unit** (minutes, hours or days), or choose **Until a Date & Time**.

## Variables

Messages and fields can include details from the trigger, such as `{name}`, `{order_number}` or `{amount}` for payments, or `{full_name:1}` for a lead form field. Click **Variables** next to a field to pick one. See [Automation variables](/automation-variables/) for the full list.

## Tips

A few rules keep workflows predictable:

- **Choose the trigger that has the data you need.** A payment that has just been initiated has no receipt yet, so send receipts and thank-yous from **Payment Successful**.
- **Give each node a clear name.** The **Action Name** shows on the canvas and in the execution history, so "Email sales team" is easier to check than "Send Email".
- **Test before you switch it on for all forms.** Limit the trigger to one test form first, then widen it.

## Common issues

### Which trigger should I use to send something after a customer pays?

Payment Successful. It runs once a payment is completed successfully. Payment Initiated runs earlier, when the customer starts paying, before you know whether the payment worked.

### Can one automation have two triggers?

No. Each automation has exactly one trigger. Make a second automation for the other event.

### Can I wait a day before sending a reminder?

Yes. Put a Delay node before the action. It can wait a set time, such as 1 day, or until a date and time.