What Is Trigger?
In workflow automation, a trigger is the starting event that causes a workflow to begin executing. Triggers can be based on events (like receiving an email), schedules (like running every Monday at 9 AM), or manual initiation by a user.
An event or condition that initiates the execution of an automated workflow.
Triggers are the entry point of every automated workflow. They define when and why a workflow runs. Without a trigger, a workflow is just a dormant set of instructions waiting to be activated.
There are three main types of triggers: event-based (webhooks), time-based (cron schedules), and manual. Event-based triggers fire instantly when something happens — a form submission, a new row in a spreadsheet, a Slack message. Time-based triggers run on a schedule you define. Manual triggers require someone to click a button to start the workflow.
Choosing the right trigger is critical for workflow design. Real-time triggers (webhooks) are ideal for customer-facing processes where speed matters, like support ticket routing or lead notifications. Scheduled triggers work well for batch operations like daily reports or weekly data syncs.
Modern platforms support complex trigger conditions — for example, triggering only when a new Salesforce deal exceeds $10,000, or when a support ticket is marked urgent. These conditional triggers prevent unnecessary workflow executions and keep your automations efficient.
Related Terms
Webhook
An automated message sent from one application to another when a specific event occurs.
Action
A specific task performed by a workflow after it has been triggered.
Workflow Automation
The use of technology to perform recurring tasks or processes with minimal human intervention.
Event-Driven Architecture
A design pattern where systems communicate by producing and consuming events, enabling real-time reactive workflows.
More Workflow Design Terms
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