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Triggers

For an automation to start, it needs a trigger. In this example we are using an Entity Change as the Trigger Type (more on this later). This tracks any addition, deletion or change to an entity. There are other types, but we will highlight this one for now.

Automation Trigger Detail

  1. Name - Give this trigger a clear, descriptive name so you can easily identify it later.
  2. Description - Like all things in Rock, provide a detailed description. Your future self (and your team) will thank you.
  3. Trigger Type - Choose the type of trigger that will cause the automation to run. See Trigger Types below for more.
  4. Entity Type - Select which Entity Type’s changes should activate this automation.
  5. Trigger On - Specify the conditions under which an Entity Change should fire the automation.
  6. Trigger When Which Rules Are True - Decide if all rules must be true, or if any one rule will trigger the automation.
  7. Criteria - Add one or more criteria rules that must be met. These vary byTrigger Type. More on this below.

Note

Selecting Advanced for Trigger Criteria allows you to use Dynamic LINQ Syntax to make more complex dependencies.

Now our actions will run whenever a person in the database is an adult and their status is changed from Attendee to Member.

We will learn more about Actions in a moment, but first it's important to understand Triggers more deeply.

Trigger Types

Trigger Types are the cranks that spin the gears of Automation. Each have unique configuration and currently there are two types:

  • Entity Change
  • Chat Message

For more on how the Chat Message Trigger Type works, see the Fallback Chat Notifications chapter in the Communications guide.

Once a Trigger Type is selected, the criteria for triggering must be defined.

Trigger Criteria

Trigger Criteria filters under what conditions an Automation is triggered. This varies by the Trigger Type selected.

Entity Change Trigger Criteria

Entity Change Trigger Criteria

  1. Any Change - Triggers when any field value changes for the selected entity type.
  2. Changed To Specific Value - Triggers only when a field’s new value matches the one you specify.
  3. Has Specific Value - Triggers when a field currently holds the specific value you set, regardless of when it was changed.
  4. Changed From One Value to Another - Triggers when a field changes from one defined value to a different defined value.
  5. Changed From Specific Value - Triggers when a field’s old value matches the one you specify, regardless of the new value.

Once the trigger conditions are met, the Event defines the action that Rock takes next.

Intro to Automations Events