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Workflow Triggers

Workflow Triggers allow you to automate workflows by scheduling them to run at specific times or intervals.

Updated today

Workflow Triggers allow you to automate workflows by scheduling them to run at specific times or intervals. Once configured, a trigger will automatically execute your workflow according to the schedule you set—no manual intervention required.

You can create triggers with preset frequencies - hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, or build custom schedules using a simple builder or cron expressions.

Who this is for

Any Hatz AI user who wants to:

  • Automate repetitive workflows

  • Run reports on a regular schedule

  • Process data at specific intervals

  • Execute workflows during off-hours

Prerequisites

To add or modify a trigger on a workflow, you must meet one of these conditions:

  • You own the workflow, OR

  • You are an admin, OR

  • You have permission to modify the sharing settings of the workflow

All users have access to create triggers on workflows they meet the above criteria for.

How to add a trigger

Step 1: Open the Triggers panel

  1. Open the workflow you want to schedule

  2. Locate the Triggers section in the workflow interface

  3. Click + Add Trigger

Step 2: Set the schedule frequency

You'll see the "Set Schedule Frequency" dialog with the following options:

Preset schedules:

  • Every Hour – Runs at the top of every hour

  • Every Day – Runs once daily at midnight

  • Every Week – Runs weekly on Monday at midnight

  • Every Month – Runs on the 1st of every month

  • Custom Schedule – Set a custom schedule using a builder or cron expression

Step 3: Configure your schedule

For preset schedules:

  1. Enter a Trigger Name (e.g., "Daily Report")

  2. Select one of the preset frequency options

  3. Click Continue

For custom schedules:

  1. Enter a Trigger Name

  2. Select Custom Schedule

  3. Click Continue

  4. Choose between two configuration methods:

    Simple Builder:

    • Enter a number in the "Run every" field

    • Select the time unit (Hour(s), Day(s), etc.)

    • Select your Timezone

    • Review the Schedule Preview to confirm your settings

    Cron Expression:

    • Switch to the Cron Expression tab

    • Enter a cron expression in the format: minute hour day month day-of-week

    • Reference the Common Examples provided:

      • 0 9 * * * – Every day at 9:00 AM

      • 0 9 * * 1 – Every Monday at 9:00 AM

      • 0 0 1 * * – First day of every month

      • 0 */2 * * * – Every 2 hours

      • 0 9 * * 1-5 – Weekdays at 9:00 AM

      • 0 */6 * * * – Every 6 hours

    • Select your Timezone

    • Review the Schedule Preview

  5. Click Create Trigger

Step 4: Manage your trigger

Once created, your trigger will appear in the Triggers panel with:

  • The trigger name and frequency

  • A toggle switch to enable/disable the trigger

  • An options menu (three dots) to Edit or Delete the trigger

To enable or disable a trigger:

  • Use the toggle switch next to the trigger name

To modify a trigger:

  1. Click the three-dot menu next to the trigger

  2. Select Edit

  3. Update the schedule settings

  4. Click Create Trigger to save changes

To delete a trigger:

  1. Click the three-dot menu next to the trigger

  2. Select Delete

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can add triggers to a workflow?

You can add or modify triggers if you own the workflow, are an admin, or have permission to modify the workflow's sharing settings. All users have access to create triggers on workflows they meet these criteria for.

What schedule options are available?

You can choose from preset schedules (Every Hour, Every Day, Every Week, Every Month) or create a custom schedule. Custom schedules can be built using either a simple builder (where you select intervals and time units) or advanced cron expressions for more complex timing patterns.

How frequently can I schedule a workflow to run?

Triggers can be set to run as frequently as once per hour, up to monthly intervals. You can also create custom schedules that fit your specific needs using the simple builder or cron expressions.

Can I temporarily pause a trigger without deleting it?

Yes. Every trigger has a toggle switch that lets you enable or disable it instantly. This is perfect for pausing automation during holidays, maintenance periods, or any time you need temporary control.

What happens if someone manually runs my workflow?

Manual workflow runs are completely independent from triggers. Team members can run your workflow manually at any time without affecting your trigger schedule or settings. Your automated schedule will continue running as configured.

Can I see when my triggered workflows run?

Yes. As the workflow owner, you have full access to the run history for all triggered executions. This gives you complete visibility and oversight of your automated workflows.

Can other users see the run history from my triggers?

Run history from triggered executions is only visible to the workflow owner.

How do I know what time my workflow will run?

When configuring your trigger, you'll see a "Schedule Preview" that shows exactly when your workflow will execute. This preview updates in real-time as you adjust your settings, so you can confirm the timing before saving.

Do triggers respect my timezone?

All trigger schedules respect the timezone you select during configuration. This ensures your workflows run at exactly the right time for your team, no matter where you're located.

Can I edit a trigger after creating it?

Absolutely. Click the three-dot menu next to any trigger and select "Edit" to update the name, schedule, or timezone. Your changes take effect immediately.

What's the difference between the Simple Builder and Cron Expression options?

The Simple Builder offers an easy, visual way to set schedules by selecting numbers and time units (like "every 3 hours"). Cron expressions provide advanced scheduling capabilities for users familiar with cron syntax, allowing for more complex patterns like "weekdays at 9:00 AM" or "every 6 hours."

Do I need to know cron syntax to use triggers?

Not at all. The preset schedules and Simple Builder cover most common use cases without requiring any technical knowledge. If you do want to use cron expressions for advanced scheduling, we provide common examples and format guidance right in the interface.

Troubleshooting

My trigger isn't appearing:

  • Confirm you own the workflow, are an admin, or have permission to modify workflow sharing settings

  • Refresh the workflow page

I can't see run history:

  • Only the workflow owner can view run history from trigger executions

  • If you need access to run results, contact the workflow owner

The schedule preview doesn't match my expectation:

  • Verify the timezone setting matches your intended timezone

  • For cron expressions, double-check the format: minute hour day month day-of-week

  • Review the common examples provided in the cron expression interface

Limitations

  • Minimum interval: Triggers cannot run more frequently than once per hour

  • Permissions: You must own the workflow or have admin/sharing modification permissions to add or modify triggers

  • Run history visibility: Only the workflow owner can view the run history for triggered workflow executions. Other users with workflow access cannot see these results.

  • Custom schedules: When using cron expressions, you must follow the standard cron format. Invalid expressions will not be accepted.

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