Workflows That Run Themselves
The best automation is the kind you set up once and forget. Triggers turn your missions into event-driven systems that respond to the world in real time.
What You'll Learn
- Create webhook triggers that start workflows from external HTTP requests
- Configure cron schedule triggers for automated recurring runs
- Secure webhooks with secret token authentication
- Test triggers with curl and monitor execution in the Runs page
Triggers let your workflows run without manual intervention. Connect external events to FlowManner missions via webhooks, cron schedules, or integrations with tools you already use.
Prerequisites
- At least one mission/workflow created and tested manually
- Basic understanding of HTTP requests and webhooks
- Access to the external service you want to trigger from (e.g., Zapier, Slack, form builder)
Webhook Basics
A webhook is a URL that FlowManner exposes for external services to call. When a POST request hits your webhook URL, FlowManner starts the associated mission with the request payload as input. Use it to connect form submissions, CRM events, monitoring alerts, or any HTTP-capable service.
# Test your webhook with curl
curl -X POST https://flowmanner.com/api/webhooks/wh_abc123 \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-H "X-Webhook-Secret: your-secret-token" \
-d '{
"event": "new_lead",
"data": {
"name": "Jane Smith",
"email": "jane@example.com",
"source": "website_form"
}
}'
# Common cron expressions:
# "0 9 * * 1" → Every Monday at 9:00 AM
# "0 */6 * * *" → Every 6 hours
# "0 0 1 * *" → First day of every month at midnight
# "30 8 * * 1-5" → Weekdays at 8:30 AM
Schedule Triggers
Use cron expressions to run missions on a schedule. Daily at 9 AM, every Monday, first of the month — any pattern you can express in cron syntax. Set a timezone to ensure runs happen at the right local time.
Authentication and Security
Every webhook should have a secret token. The external service includes this token in the X-Webhook-Secret header, and FlowManner validates it before starting the mission. Without a token, anyone with the URL can trigger your workflow. Rotate tokens periodically and use HTTPS-only URLs.
Payload Mapping
The JSON payload sent to the webhook becomes the mission's input context. Agents can reference payload fields directly in their prompts using template variables like {{event.data.name}}. This lets you build dynamic workflows that respond to the specific data in each trigger event.
Always add a secret token
Publicly accessible webhook URLs without authentication are a security risk. Always configure a secret token and validate it in the request header.
Webhook URLs are permanent
Once created, a webhook URL does not change. If you need to rotate the URL, delete the trigger and create a new one. Update all external services that reference the old URL.
Cron uses UTC by default
Schedule triggers use UTC unless you specify a timezone. Set your timezone explicitly to avoid unexpected run times — "9 AM" in UTC is 5 AM EST.
Test with curl first
Before connecting a production service, test your webhook with curl. This isolates FlowManner configuration from external service issues.
Step-by-Step
Navigate to Triggers
Open the Triggers page from the sidebar. You'll see a list of existing triggers and options to create new ones.
Create a Webhook Trigger
Click Create Trigger, select Webhook as the type, and choose the mission to associate it with. FlowManner generates a unique URL you can share with external services.
Configure Authentication
Add a secret token to your webhook. External services must include this token in the request header to prevent unauthorized executions. FlowManner validates the token before starting the mission.
Set Up a Schedule Trigger
Create a new trigger, select Cron as the type, and enter your cron expression (e.g., '0 9 * * 1' for every Monday at 9 AM). Select your timezone and the mission to run.
Test Your Trigger
Send a test request to your webhook URL using curl or a tool like Postman. Check the Runs page to confirm the mission started and completed successfully.
Related guides
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