What is an automation?
An automation is a rule: when [something happens], then [do something].
DMHub automations run server-side — they fire even when you're offline, 24/7.
Example: Appointment reminder
Here's a real automation: send a WhatsApp reminder 24 hours before an appointment, then a final reminder 1 hour before.
Step 1: Go to Automations
Navigate to /automations → New Automation.
Step 2: Choose a trigger
Click Add Trigger → Time-based → Appointment scheduled.
Configure:
- Offset: 24 hours before appointment start
- Filter: only appointments with status "confirmed"
Step 3: Add the first action
Click Add Action → Send Message → WhatsApp.
Select a template (e.g., "appointmentreminder24h"):
Hi {{customer.first_name}}, this is a reminder about your appointment at {{appointment.time}} tomorrow.
Reply CONFIRM to confirm or CANCEL to cancel.Step 4: Add a branch
Click Add Branch → If/Else. Set condition: if customer replied "CANCEL" → send cancellation confirmation and update appointment status.
Step 5: Add the 1-hour reminder
Add another trigger path: 1 hour before, repeat the message send action.
Step 6: Test and activate
Click Test Automation — enter a sample customer and appointment to see what would fire. Review the output, then click Activate.
Automation limits
| Plan | Max active automations |
|---|---|
| Starter | 5 |
| Pro | 25 |
| Business | Unlimited |
Best practices
- Start simple — build one-step automations first, then add branches
- Use templates for WhatsApp — free-form messages outside the 24h window require approved templates
- Log and review — check the automation run log at /automations → select automation → Runs
- Set up error alerts — configure a notification if an automation fails consistently
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