> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.risponse.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Automation rules overview

> Learn how Risponse automation rules handle repetitive WhatsApp work for you, from replies and tickets to alerts, so your team can focus on real conversations.

An automation rule is a simple "if this, then that" instruction. You set it once. Risponse then follows it every time the situation comes up.

## How a rule works

Every rule has three parts.

1. **Trigger.** Something happens, such as a new message arriving or a ticket changing.
2. **Conditions.** Risponse checks whether the situation matches your requirements. For example, does the message contain the word "refund"?
3. **Actions.** If the conditions match, Risponse does the job. It can reply, assign a chat, create a ticket, and more.

You can also add a delay. This lets a rule wait before it checks or acts. For example, a rule can wait two hours and then see if anyone has replied yet.

## Example

A customer writes to your number at 10 pm. Your team is offline. The rule sees the message arrived outside working hours and sends a short note: "Thanks for writing. We will reply by 10 am tomorrow."

The customer feels heard. Your team does nothing.

## When rules help most

* You get many messages every day.
* The same questions come up again and again.
* Chats get lost because nobody owns them.
* Managers need a warning when a reply is late.

> [!TIP]
>
> Start small. Turn on one rule, watch how it behaves for a few days, then add more.

> [!NOTE]
>
> Rules run on their own, so a mistake can repeat many times. Test each new rule with a chat you control before you publish it.

## Pick a use case

> **[Automated ticketing](https://docs.risponse.com/automations/ticketing.md)**
>
> Turn chats into tickets without typing.

> **[Automated replies](https://docs.risponse.com/automations/replies.md)**
>
> Answer common messages instantly.

> **[Automated assignment](https://docs.risponse.com/automations/assignment.md)**
>
> Send chats and tickets to the right person.

> **[Automated escalation](https://docs.risponse.com/automations/escalation.md)**
>
> Alert managers when something is late or important.

> **[Automated flagging](https://docs.risponse.com/automations/flagging.md)**
>
> Highlight messages that need attention.

> **[Automated notifications](https://docs.risponse.com/automations/notifications.md)**
>
> Send message data to other tools.


## Related topics

- [Workflows overview](https://docs.risponse.com/workflows/overview.md)
- [Rule building blocks](https://docs.risponse.com/automations/components.md)
- [Set up an automation rule](https://docs.risponse.com/automations/setup.md)
- [Create a ticket with an emoji](https://docs.risponse.com/tickets-and-tasks/emoji-tickets.md)
- [AI agent overview](https://docs.risponse.com/ai/agent/overview.md)


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