How Automations Work
Describe what you want
Open the agent sidebar (
Cmd+Shift+L) and describe the automation in natural language. Example: “When I receive a receipt, forward it to receipts@expensify.com.”Agent creates the trigger
The agent parses your request into a condition (what to match) and an action (what to do). It shows you a preview for confirmation.
Types of Automations
Email Triggers
Fire when an email matches a natural-language condition. Forward receipts, alert on VIP emails, draft replies automatically.
Calendar Triggers
Fire before or after calendar events. Meeting prep briefings, post-meeting follow-ups, RSVP management.
Auto-Reminders
Automatic nudges when emails go unanswered. The AI detects dropped balls and reminds you.
Scheduled Reminders
Schedule the agent to run at a specific time. Daily inbox scans, weekly summaries, one-off future tasks.
Popular Automation Examples
| Automation | Type | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| Receipt forwarding | Email trigger | Forwards receipts to expense tools |
| VIP email alerts | Email trigger | iMessage alert when key contacts email you |
| Meeting prep briefing | Calendar trigger | Sends attendee research before meetings |
| Post-meeting follow-up | Calendar trigger | Drafts follow-up email after meetings end |
| Dropped ball scanner | Scheduled reminder | Daily scan for unanswered important emails |
| OTP forwarding | Email trigger | Sends verification codes to iMessage |
| Weekly summary | Scheduled reminder | Friday recap of your email week |
Managing Automations
All automations appear in Settings > Automations (Cmd+, then Automations tab). From there you can:
- Toggle automations on or off
- Delete automations you no longer need
- View activity to see recent trigger firings
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Step-by-step setup for the essentials.
Agent Autonomy
What the agent can and cannot do on its own.
Customize Your Agent
Control your agent’s writing style and preferences.
iMessage Setup
Connect your phone to receive automation alerts.