Every workflow begins with a trigger — the first step, which decides when it runs. A workflow has exactly one trigger. There are three kinds.
On a schedule
The workflow runs automatically at the times you choose. You pick how often and at what time:
- Every day
- Every weekday (Mon–Fri)
- Every week on a specific day
- Every hour
A scheduled workflow only runs while it is Active. See Build a workflow for how to activate it.
When an app updates (webhook)
The workflow runs whenever another app notifies Brain of an update. When you pick this trigger, Brain gives you two things:
- A web address to paste into the other app.
- A secret key so Brain can confirm the updates really come from you.
The data the app sends is available to the following steps, so you can act on it. The secret key is shown only once — copy it and keep it safe. You can rotate it at any time if it's ever exposed.
Only when I run it (on demand)
The workflow runs only when you press Run now. This is handy while you're building and testing — you can try the flow as many times as you like without waiting for a schedule or an external event.
Which one to choose
| Trigger | Runs when… | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule | A time you set arrives | Recurring tasks — daily digests, weekly reports, hourly checks |
| When an app updates | Another app sends an update | Reacting to events — a new email, a form submission, a new order |
| On demand | You press Run now | Testing, or tasks you kick off yourself |