# Create an automation (/docs/create-automation)



An automation is a keyword rule on one Instagram account. When a matching top-level comment or story reply arrives, Send Link To Me runs the Direct funnel and can send your offer.

## Before you start [#before-you-start]

You need a connected Instagram account. See [Connect Instagram](/docs/connect-instagram).

Active automations count toward your plan **per Instagram account**:

| Plan          | Active automations |
| ------------- | ------------------ |
| Free          | 1                  |
| Starter       | 10                 |
| Growth        | 30                 |
| Pro and Scale | Unlimited          |

Paused and Ended rules do not count. If you are at the cap, the banner title is Active automation limit. The body is You are at your active automation limit. Pause another rule or wait until a live or story window ends.

## Open New automation [#open-new-automation]

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Open the Instagram account in the dashboard.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Go to Automations. The lede is Create keyword DMs for posts, stories, and live comments.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Choose New automation. The page title is What should this listen to?
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Pick a trigger. Next steps match the type you choose.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Hub shortcuts on the same page: New post (compose media), Calendar (Schedules), New automation.

Empty list: No automations yet. Create your first automation.

## Choose a trigger [#choose-a-trigger]

| Card                  | What it listens to                                                              | Next                                                |
| --------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
| Post or Reel comments | Someone comments a keyword on your post or Reel. You DM the link automatically. | [Post and Reel](/docs/post-reel)                    |
| Story replies         | Reply to any story in a time window, or attach rules to one live story.         | [Story](/docs/story)                                |
| Live comments         | Set a time window. Matching live comments trigger a DM during that window.      | [Live](/docs/live)                                  |
| Mentions and inbox    | Story mentions, inbox DMs, and smart re-engage.                                 | Not available yet. Tag: Soon. Overlay: Coming soon. |

Choose Back to automations to leave the chooser.

## What every automation needs [#what-every-automation-needs]

Every rule needs:

1. A **surface**: post or Reel, story, or live.
2. A **trigger**: one or more keywords, or Send DM to all comments. See [Keywords and triggers](/docs/keywords-and-triggers).
3. A **private reply**: a saved template or an inline message. See [DM funnel and audience](/docs/dm-and-audience).

Name is required. Max 120 characters. Placeholder: Summer drop comments.

Active from and Active to are optional:

* Leave both blank to keep this on (Always on).
* Fill only Active from to start later.
* Fill only Active to to stop later.
* This is when comments can get the DM, not when a post is published.

Errors: Name is required, Enter a valid date and time, Active to must be after active from.

Post and Reel rules also need at least one **public reply** phrase. Story and live stay Direct only.

## After you create [#after-you-create]

A success toast says Automation created. The rule shows On while it is enabled and still inside its window. Open it to [edit](/docs/edit-automation), [pause or delete](/docs/pause-delete), or [View events](/docs/events-and-skips).

For a single first-win path, use [Your first automation](/docs/first-automation).

## Related [#related]

* [Keywords and triggers](/docs/keywords-and-triggers)
* [DM funnel and audience](/docs/dm-and-audience)
* [Templates](/docs/templates)