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Manual Trigger

Run workflows on-demand with a button click for testing and ad-hoc processing.

Overview

The Manual Trigger allows you to start workflows on-demand with a button click. It's the simplest trigger type - perfect for testing workflows during development or for workflows that should only run when explicitly invoked.

When to Use Manual Trigger

Perfect for:

  • Testing and debugging workflows during development
  • On-demand data processing that requires human judgment
  • Workflows triggered by users through your application
  • Administrative tasks that should be manually initiated

Not ideal for:

  • Automated, recurring processes (use Scheduled Trigger)
  • Responding to external events (use Webhook or Integration Trigger)
  • Collecting data from users (use Form Trigger)

Configuration

The Manual Trigger requires no configuration - it's ready to use immediately.

Example Use Cases

Ad-Hoc Data Analysis

text
Manual Trigger (with date range input)
→ HTTP Request: Fetch data for date range
→ Agent: Analyze data and generate insights
→ Notification: Send report to requester

Why Manual? The analysis is needed sporadically and requires human judgment on which date range to analyze.

Administrative Tasks

text
Manual Trigger
→ Code: Generate system report
→ Action: Archive old records
→ Notification: Confirm completion

Why Manual? These are maintenance tasks that should only run when an admin explicitly initiates them.

Testing Integrations

text
Manual Trigger
→ HTTP Request: Test API endpoint
→ Agent: Validate response
→ Notification: Send test results

Why Manual? Used during development to test API integrations before setting up automated triggers.

Limitations

  • No Automation: Requires human action to initiate
  • No Scheduling: Cannot run on a regular schedule
  • No Event Response: Cannot react to external events or integrations

Best Practices

Start every workflow with a Manual Trigger during development. Once tested and working, switch to the appropriate automated trigger type.

If your workflow needs input data, use clear field labels and descriptions so users know exactly what to provide.

Add a workflow description explaining when and why someone should manually trigger it.

Manual triggers can be run by anyone with access to the workflow. Use sharing settings to control who can execute them.

Next Steps