# Story automations (/docs/story)



Story automations send Direct only. There is no public comment under a story.

## Choose the story mode [#choose-the-story-mode]

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Choose New automation, then Story replies.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    On Which stories?, pick a mode. Step 1. Type is done. Step 2. Mode is active.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Continue on All stories in a window, or This story.
  </Step>
</Steps>

| Card                    | Description                                                          |
| ----------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| All stories in a window | Match replies across stories posted during a time range.             |
| This story              | Pick a published story, or publish a new one with the rule attached. |

## All stories in a window [#all-stories-in-a-window]

Title: All stories window. Default window: **now to now plus 24 hours**.

Banner: Any story reply that matches your keyword gets the DM while this rule is on. Specific story rules take priority when both match.

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Check Name and the Active from / Active to window. Adjust if you need a different range.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Set keywords, or turn on Send DM to all comments. Placeholder: Add a keyword. Story hint: Matched against the story reply text (case insensitive).
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Design the private reply and audience. No Public reply panel.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Choose Create.
  </Step>
</Steps>

When the window ends, the automation shows as Ended and stops counting toward your active cap.

## This story [#this-story]

<Steps>
  <Step>
    On Pick a live story, choose a story that is live right now. Expired stories and highlights are not listed.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    If the list is empty (No live stories right now), choose Publish new story. Compose the story, then Share story or Schedule.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    On This story, confirm the window. Default is now to the story posted time plus 24 hours, if that is still in the future. Otherwise now plus 24 hours.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Set keywords and the Direct reply. Choose Create. Use Change story if you picked the wrong one.
  </Step>
</Steps>

When that story ends, the automation shows as Ended.

## Overlap and priority [#overlap-and-priority]

A This story rule and an All stories window rule can both exist. At send time, **specific story rules take priority** when both match.

Keyword overlap is checked among other window story rules (account-wide), or among rules on the **same** story. Window rules and This story rules are not overlap-checked against each other. The error text still says this post. See [Keywords and triggers](/docs/keywords-and-triggers).

## Related [#related]

* [Create an automation](/docs/create-automation)
* [DM funnel and audience](/docs/dm-and-audience)
* [Pause and delete](/docs/pause-delete)