Automation triggers define when an automation starts.

A trigger listens for a specific event on a task. When that event happens, Cynoia checks the automation’s conditions (if any) and then runs the defined actions.

Each automation can have one trigger.

What Is a Trigger?

A trigger is the starting point of an automation.

Example:

• When a task status changes

• When a new task is created

• When a file is uploaded to a task

Triggers react to real-time changes inside a project.

Available Automation Triggers

Below is the full list of triggers currently available in Cynoia.

Task Creation Triggers

These triggers react when tasks or subtasks are created.

• New task is created

  Starts the automation when a new task is added to the project.

• New subtask is created

  Starts the automation when a subtask is added to an existing task.

Task Status Triggers

These triggers react to changes in task status.

• Task status changes

  Starts the automation when a task moves from one status to another

  (e.g. In Progress → Completed)

Common use cases:

• Notifications on completion

• Workflow enforcement

• Status-based actions

Task Priority Triggers

• Task priority is set

  Starts the automation when a priority is assigned or changed.

Useful for:

• Escalating urgent work

• Auto-assigning high-priority tasks

Label & Assignment Triggers

• Task is assigned a label

  Starts the automation when a label is added to a task.

• Task is assigned to

  Starts the automation when a task is assigned to a user.

Content & Activity Triggers

These triggers react to task activity and content changes.

• Task comment is added

• Task name changed

• Task description changed

• File uploaded to task

Common use cases:

• Notify stakeholders

• Track updates

• Enforce documentation rules

Task Deletion Trigger

• Task gets deleted

  Starts the automation when a task is removed from the project.

Budget & Expense Triggers

These triggers are available when Budget is enabled in the project.

• Budget threshold reached

  Triggered when the project reaches a predefined budget limit.

• Expenses exceed budget

  Triggered when expenses go over the allocated budget.

How Triggers Work with Conditions

Triggers define when something happens.

Conditions define which tasks the automation applies to.

Example:

• Trigger: Task status changes

• Condition: Task priority = Urgent

This ensures the automation only runs for specific cases.

Best Practices for Choosing Triggers

• Choose specific triggers to avoid unnecessary automations

• Combine triggers with conditions for precision

• Avoid using triggers that fire too frequently unless needed

• Test triggers with sample tasks before enabling

Common Trigger Use Cases

• Notify the team when tasks are completed

• Assign tasks automatically on creation

• Escalate urgent or blocked tasks

• Monitor budget and expenses

What’s Next?

Now that you understand triggers, let’s move on to:

👉 Next article: Automation Conditions Explained