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Automation Builder

Automation Builder

The Automation Builder is where users build the actual email journey inside an automation flow.

A working automation can include:

  • Email steps
  • Delay steps
  • Saved subject lines
  • Saved email body content
  • Personalization variables
  • Flow activation or pause controls

Builder layout​

The Automation Builder contains:

  • Back button
  • Flow title
  • Flow status
  • Step count
  • Add Delay button
  • Add Email button
  • Activate or Pause button
  • Flow summary sidebar
  • Main flow canvas

Loading automation flow​

When the builder opens, it loads the selected automation using the automation ID.

The builder fetches:

  • Automation details
  • Automation status
  • Automation steps

If loading is still in progress, the user sees:

Loading automation flow...

Empty builder state​

If the automation has no steps, the builder shows a helpful empty state.

It suggests a simple flow:

Welcome email → wait 24 hours → onboarding email

Users can start by clicking:

  • Add first email
  • Add delay

Adding an email step​

Add Email Step Add Email Step

An email step sends an email as part of the automation journey.

When a user adds an email step, the system creates a default email with:

Subject: Welcome to our newsletter
Body: Hi {{name}}, Welcome! We are excited to have you here.

The user can then customize the email.

Email step fields​

Each email step includes:

FieldDescription
Email nameInternal name for identifying the step
Email subjectSubject line sent to subscribers
Email bodyMain email message content

Personalization variables​

The email body supports personalization variables.

Available examples:

{{name}}
{{email}}

Example:

Hi {{name}},

Welcome to our newsletter. We are happy to have you here.

Adding a delay step​

Add Delay Step

A delay step waits before the next action happens.

Default delay:

24 hours

Delay steps are useful for spacing out automated emails.

Example:

Send welcome email
→ Wait 24 hours
→ Send onboarding email

Delay step field​

The delay editor contains:

FieldDescription
Delay before next stepNumber of hours before the next step runs

The delay must be at least:

1 hour

Saving steps​

Each step must be saved after editing.

For email steps, users must provide:

  • Email subject
  • Email body

For delay steps, users must provide:

  • Delay value of at least 1 hour

If validation fails, the builder shows an error message.

Deleting steps​

Users can delete any step from the automation journey.

Before deleting, the dashboard asks:

Delete this automation step?

Flow summary sidebar​

The Flow Summary sidebar displays all steps in order.

For each step, it shows:

  • Step number
  • Step name
  • Step type
  • Delay timing, if applicable

This helps users understand the complete journey before activation.

Flow canvas​

The flow canvas displays each step as a visual node.

Email nodes show:

  • Step index
  • Email icon
  • Email name or subject
  • Email editor
  • Save button

Delay nodes show:

  • Step index
  • Clock icon
  • Delay duration
  • Delay editor
  • Save button

Steps are connected visually so users can understand the sequence.

Activating automation​

Activate Automation Flow

After adding and saving steps, users can activate the flow.

The builder rule is:

Add at least one step before activating.

If a flow has no steps, the Activate button is disabled or shows a warning.

Pausing automation​

If the automation is already active, the main action changes to:

Pause Flow

This lets users stop the flow without deleting it.

Success and error messages​

The builder displays messages for important actions.

Success messages include:

  • Step saved successfully
  • Automation activated successfully
  • Automation paused successfully

Error messages include:

  • Email subject is required
  • Email body is required
  • Delay must be at least 1 hour
  • Failed to save step
  • Failed to load automation

A simple welcome journey can be:

Step 1: Send Email
Subject: Welcome to our newsletter

Step 2: Delay
Wait 24 hours

Step 3: Send Email
Subject: Here is what to expect next

Best practices​

Use automation to:

  • Welcome new subscribers
  • Introduce your brand
  • Send onboarding content
  • Promote important links
  • Re-engage inactive readers
  • Run product launch sequences

Keep each automation simple and focused. A good first flow is usually a welcome email followed by one or two follow-up emails.