# Create a Scheduled Automation

Send a one-off scheduled or contact-date message, or build a multi-step drip sequence, to a chosen audience.

_Last updated: 2026-09-11_


## Overview

A scheduled automation sends an approved message template automatically — either on a recurring schedule (daily, weekly, monthly) or on a per-contact date event like a birthday or anniversary — to an audience you define. This is distinct from an Automation Flow, which reacts to a keyword a customer sends rather than running on a schedule.

## Before you begin

- You need at least one approved WhatsApp template.
- Decide who the audience should be — all contacts, or specific statuses/groups.

## Quick navigation

[Open Automation](#open-automation) → [Name it and choose the trigger](#name-it-and-choose-the-trigger) → [Set the audience](#set-the-audience) → [Pick a template and budget](#pick-a-template-and-budget).

## Open Automation

### Step 1 — Open the Schedule tab and start

From the left sidebar, click Automation, then the Schedule tab, then Create Automation. Choose the Scheduled Automation tab (not Drip Sequence).

## Name it and choose the trigger

### Step 2 — Name it, then set when it fires

Give it a Name and an optional Description. Then, under Trigger Type, choose Schedule Based (daily, weekly, monthly, or a specific date) or Event Based (birthday, anniversary, or a custom date field), and set the frequency, time of day, and timezone.

## Set the audience

### Step 3 — Choose who receives it

Under Audience, pick any number of statuses and groups to include or exclude — leave everything empty to target all contacts. Each contact is enrolled once per run.

## Pick a template and budget

### Step 4 — Select a template and set spend limits

Under Message Template, pick an approved template and fill in any variables it requires. Optionally cap spend per day, week, or month under Budget Control — once the limit is reached, remaining recipients pause and auto-resume next cycle.

## Save

### Step 5 — Save as Draft or Save & Activate

Save as Draft keeps it inactive until you're ready. Save & Activate turns it on immediately.

> **WARNING: Save & Activate has a real, immediate effect**
> Once activated, a scheduled automation sends real WhatsApp messages to real contacts on its trigger and spends real wallet balance. Review the audience and budget carefully before activating — Save as Draft is the safer choice while you're still testing the setup.

### Field reference

| Field | Description |
| --- | --- |
| Name | Internal label for this automation. |
| Trigger Type | Schedule Based (recurring) or Event Based (per-contact date, like a birthday). |
| Audience | Include/exclude by contact status or group; empty means all contacts. |
| Message Template | The approved template to send, with its variables filled in. |
| Budget Control | Optional spend cap per day, week, or month. |

## Expected result

A saved draft appears in the Schedule tab's list with status inactive. An activated automation shows Active and starts running on its configured trigger, with Wallet Spent updating as it sends.

## See also

[Schedule Automated Messages](/docs/features-automation-schedule) to view and manage automations you've created. [Create an Automation Flow](/docs/features-create-automation-flow) for keyword-triggered responses instead of a schedule.

## 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.