Triggers
A trigger is the event that starts a workflow. Every workflow begins with exactly one trigger — it answers the question "when should this workflow run?"
How triggers work
When the trigger's condition is met — an email arrives, a document is uploaded, an order is created — Glacis automatically runs the rest of the workflow. You don't need to manually start it (though you can, using the Manual Trigger).
Each trigger produces output data that the rest of the workflow can use. For example, the Email Received trigger outputs the sender, subject, body, and any attachments — and your downstream steps can reference all of that using template variables.
Choosing the right trigger
You want to... | Use this trigger | Details |
|---|---|---|
Process incoming emails automatically | Email Received | |
Run a workflow on demand or for testing | Manual Trigger | Start with this while building, swap for a real trigger before publishing |
React when a document is uploaded | Document Created | |
React when an order is created or changed | Order Created / Order Updated | |
React when a shipment milestone occurs | Shipment Created / Shipment Updated | |
React when a task is created | Task Created | |
Start or advance a multi-step procedure | SOP Assigned / SOP Step Completed | |
React to shipment tracking events | Cargo Delivered / Cargo Delayed |
Integration triggers
If your workspace has integrations set up with external systems, additional triggers become available — shipment visibility providers, ERP systems, and more. These require a configured connection. See how to integrate.
Key things to know
Every workflow has exactly one trigger. You can't have two triggers on the same workflow.
Manual Trigger is the best starting point when building — it lets you test with sample data before going live.
Triggers produce output data that downstream steps reference using
{{STEP_KEY.field_name}}.To learn how to add a trigger to a workflow, see How to Create a Workflow.
Need help?
If you have questions or run into issues, we're here to help:
Chat with us — use the support widget in the bottom-right corner of Glacis
Email — reach us at support@glacis.com