# Create an Automation Flow

Start a new WhatsApp automation flow that replies to customers automatically based on keywords.

_Last updated: 2026-09-11_


## Overview

Automation flows let Automate AI reply to WhatsApp messages automatically, based on keywords a customer sends. This article covers starting a new flow from the Automation page; designing the flow itself in the drag-and-drop builder is a separate topic.

## Before you begin

- You need at least a name for your flow — everything else in the Create Flow dialog is optional.

## Quick navigation

[Open Automation](#open-automation) → [Name your flow](#name-your-flow) → [Continue to the builder](#continue-to-the-builder).

## Open Automation

### Step 1 — Open Automation

From the left navigation, click Automation, then click Create Flow.

## Name your flow

### Step 2 — Create New Flow dialog

Give your flow a name and, optionally, a description of what it does.

### Step 3 — Flow named

Once you’ve entered a name, Continue to Builder becomes available.

## Continue to the builder

### Step 4 — Continue to the drag-and-drop builder

Continue to Builder opens the flow builder, where you design what the flow does step by step. Building and activating a flow there is covered separately.

## Expected result

Your new flow appears in the Automation Flows list, ready to be built out in the flow builder.

## Troubleshooting

**Why is Continue to Builder disabled?**
Flow Name is required — fill it in before continuing.

**Is my flow active as soon as I create it?**
No — a new flow only starts responding to customers once you’ve built it out and activated it in the flow builder.

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### Create Flow fields

| Field | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Flow Name | Required | The name shown for this flow in your Automation Flows list. |
| Description | Optional | A short note about what this flow does. |

## See also

[Schedule Automated Messages](/docs/features-automation-schedule) to send templates on a recurring schedule instead of reacting to keywords. [Track Follow-ups](/docs/features-followups) to see scheduled follow-ups across your team.

## Related articles

- [Create a Campaign](/docs/features-create-campaign) — Send a WhatsApp campaign to your contacts: create it, pick a template, choose recipients, and review before sending.
- [Create a Message Template](/docs/features-create-template) — Create and submit a WhatsApp message template for Meta approval, then use it in a campaign.
- [Create a Contact](/docs/features-create-contact) — Add a single contact to your account manually.
- [Import Contacts](/docs/features-import-contacts) — Bulk-add or update contacts from a CSV or Excel file.