Flows
Flows are visual automation workflows that respond to events and take actions automatically. When something happens, a Flow can send emails, add tags, update fields, and more, all without manual intervention.
What is a Flow?
A Flow is an automation that starts with a trigger and executes a series of steps. Think of it as "when this happens, do that."
A simple Flow might look like:
- Trigger: Someone submits a signup form
- Action: Add the tag "newsletter-subscriber"
- Action: Send a welcome email
- Wait: 3 days
- Action: Send a follow-up email
Flow Components
Triggers
Triggers start a Flow. Common triggers include:
- Event received: A specific event is tracked
- Form submitted: A Bento form is completed
- Tag added: A tag is applied to a person
- Segment entered: Someone matches a segment's criteria
- Webhook received: An external system sends data
Actions
Actions are what the Flow does. Available actions include:
- Send email: Queue an email to the person
- Add tag: Apply a tag to their profile
- Remove tag: Remove a tag from their profile
- Set field: Update a field value
- Trigger event: Create an internal event
- Send webhook: Notify an external system
Delays
Delays pause the Flow for a specified time:
- Wait 1 hour before the next step
- Wait 3 days before sending a follow-up
- Wait until a specific time of day
Conditions
Conditions branch the Flow based on criteria:
- If they have the tag "customer", go left
- If they don't have the tag "customer", go right
- If their field "plan" equals "premium", take this path
A person can be in multiple Flows simultaneously. Each Flow runs independently.
Common Flow Patterns
Welcome Sequence
- Trigger: Form submitted (signup form)
- Add tag "subscribed"
- Send welcome email
- Wait 2 days
- Send second email with resources
- Wait 3 days
- Send third email with case study
Purchase Follow-up
- Trigger: Event "$purchase"
- Send thank you email
- Set field "customer" to "yes"
- Add tag "customer"
- Wait 7 days
- Send review request email
Cart Abandonment
- Trigger: Event "added_to_cart"
- Wait 1 hour
- Check: Did they purchase?
- If no: Send reminder email
- Wait 1 day
- Check: Did they purchase?
- If no: Send discount email
Building Flows
The Flow builder is a visual canvas where you:
- Add a trigger to start
- Drag in actions, delays, and conditions
- Connect steps in sequence
- Configure each step's settings
- Activate when ready
Flows can be as simple as two steps or as complex as multi-branch journeys.
Flow Status
Flows can be:
- Draft: Being built, not active
- Active: Running and processing people
- Paused: Temporarily stopped
- Archived: No longer in use
People already in a Flow continue through it even if you pause or archive. Only new entries are affected.
How Flows Connect to Other Concepts
Flows orchestrate everything:
- Events trigger Flows
- People move through Flows
- Tags are added/removed by Flows
- Fields are updated by Flows
- Emails are sent by Flows
- Segments can trigger Flow entry
Flows are where automation happens. They turn your data and events into timely, relevant communication.