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

# Triggers Overview

> Learn how to configure triggers that start your workflows automatically.

# Triggers Overview

Triggers define when and how your workflows start executing. Every workflow must have a trigger step that determines when the workflow runs.

## Trigger Types

Workflows support two main trigger types:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Event Trigger" icon="bolt" href="/workflows/triggers/event-trigger">
    Start workflows automatically when specific events occur in your system.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Schedule Trigger" icon="calendar-alt" href="/workflows/triggers/schedule-trigger">
    Run workflows on a recurring schedule using cron expressions or simple intervals.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Understanding Triggers

### Event Triggers

Event triggers start workflows when specific events are emitted in your system. This is ideal for:

* Real-time automation based on user actions
* Responding to system events immediately
* Building event-driven workflows

<Card title="Event Trigger" icon="bolt" href="/workflows/triggers/event-trigger">
  Configure workflows to start when events are emitted, with access to event data as workflow variables.
</Card>

### Schedule Triggers

Schedule triggers run workflows at specified times or intervals. This is ideal for:

* Periodic tasks and maintenance
* Scheduled reports and notifications
* Time-based automation

<Card title="Schedule Trigger" icon="calendar-alt" href="/workflows/triggers/schedule-trigger">
  Configure workflows to run on a schedule using standard intervals or custom cron expressions.
</Card>

## Workflow Variables from Triggers

Triggers provide data that can be used throughout your workflow:

* **Event Triggers**: Provide variables from the event payload
* **Schedule Triggers**: Provide system variables like execution time

<Note>
  Variables from triggers are automatically available in all subsequent workflow steps. Use the variable picker in any step configuration to access trigger data.
</Note>

## Getting Started

To configure a trigger:

1. **Create a workflow** from your dashboard
2. **Add a trigger step** (automatically added to new workflows)
3. **Select trigger type** (Event or Schedule)
4. **Configure trigger settings** based on your chosen type
5. **Verify available variables** for use in subsequent steps

<Tip>
  You can only have one trigger per workflow. The trigger is the entry point that starts workflow execution.
</Tip>