Automation Builder: Overview and Navigation

The Automation Builderb> is the visual workspace in Sendigram EMS where you create, edit, and manage your automated workflows. It lets you connect triggers, actions, and rules into a single chain — a logical sequence that defines when and how your automation interacts with your contacts.

The Builder uses a drag-and-drop interface, making it easy to visualize and adjust even the most complex workflows.

Accessing the Builder

You can open the Automation Builder in several ways:

  • From the main menu: Automations → New Automation.
  • From the Automations List: click Edit next to an existing automation.
  • From a duplicated automation: once saved, it opens automatically in the Builder.

Builder Interface Overview

The Builder workspace is divided into three main areas:

1. Left Panel – Tools

This is where you choose elements to add to your workflow. It includes three main tabs:

  • Triggers – define when automation starts.
  • Actions – define what happens.
  • Rules – define timing and conditional logic.

You can expand or collapse the panel using the toggle button to get more space on the canvas.

2. Canvas – Workflow Area

This is the central part of the Builder, where your automation sequence is visualized.

Here you can:

  • Drag and drop new elements.
  • Rearrange existing ones.
  • Connect elements visually to define the flow.
  • Click elements to open their settings panel.

Each element is represented by a block, connected by arrows showing the automation path.

3. Right Panel – Settings

When you select any element (Trigger, Action, or Rule), its configuration settings appear here.

From this panel, you can:

  • Edit or update element parameters.
  • Save changes with Save.
  • Clear settings with the Trash icon.
  • Close the panel with the X button.

If an element has no settings yet, a message will appear prompting you to configure it.

Adding Elements to the Workflow

There are multiple ways to add new elements to your automation:

1. Drag and Drop

  1. Click and hold an element from the left panel.
  2. Drag it to the canvas where you see a glowing "+" symbol.
  3. Release to place it — the settings panel opens automatically.

2. Click on "+" Button in the Flow

  • Click the "+" node between existing steps.
  • Choose a new element from the side panel or pop-up menu.

3. Right-Click Menu

  • Right-click on a "+" node in the flow.
  • A context menu appears, letting you select from Triggers, Actions, or Rules.

4. Left Panel Shortcut

  • Select an element category from the left panel, then click directly on the desired element.
  • Available insertion points in the workflow will highlight automatically.

Managing Elements

Each element in the workflow supports several controls when you hover or click on it:

  • Replace – switch an element type or category.
  • Duplicate – create an identical element nearby.
  • Delete – remove the element after confirmation.
  • Edit – reopen settings for editing.

If you remove a key element (like a Trigger), linked steps may need reconfiguration before saving.

Canvas Navigation and Zoom

For large workflows, you can easily navigate the canvas using:

  • Drag-to-move — click and hold an empty area to move the view.
  • Zoom controls — adjust the scale from 50% to 200% using the zoom bar or keyboard shortcuts.
  • Mini-map navigation (optional feature) — click a section of the mini-map to jump to that part of the flow.

Connection Lines and Redirects

To better visualize flow logic:

  • Enable "Show connection lines" in Builder settings to highlight all redirect paths.
  • Lines display relationships between elements, including special Redirect connections that loop contacts back to earlier steps.
  • You can toggle this visibility at any time.

Auto-Save and Manual Save

  • The Builder automatically saves your changes every 60 seconds.
  • You can also click Save at any time to manually record changes.
  • The time of the last save appears in the upper corner (e.g., Last saved at 03:22 PM).

Undo and Redo

The Builder supports Undo / Redo actions for up to 100 steps.

Use these to quickly correct mistakes or revert recent edits:

  • Undo (Ctrl+Z) — revert the last change.
  • Redo (Ctrl+Y) — reapply the reverted change.

Exiting the Builder

To leave the Builder and return to the Automations list:

  • Click the ← Back to Automations button at the top-left corner.
  • All saved changes will remain available in My Automations.
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