> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://distance.gitbook.io/distance/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://distance.gitbook.io/distance/getting-started/automations.md). # Automations ### **Introduction** The **Automations** page is where you manage the communication channels and workflow automations connected to your Distance account. From here, you can connect channels such as live chat, SMS, phone calls, Facebook and Instagram, assign AI agents, and create automated follow-up sequences for leads and customer interactions.
By centralizing channels and automations in one place, your team can respond faster, maintain consistent communication, reduce missed opportunities, and keep all conversations organized within Distance. *** ### Why automations matter **Centralize communication**. All channels, messages, calls, and social interactions are managed in one system inside Distance. **Automate responses and workflows**. Assign AI Chat and AI Voice agents or create automations to handle conversations without manual intervention. **Improve consistency**. Ensure replies, follow-ups, and messaging follow the same structure across all customer touchpoints. **Capture every opportunity**. Automatically route and log incoming conversations so no lead or inquiry is missed. **Gain visibility.** Understand which channels, automations, and agents are currently active in your account. *** ### **Automation overview** At the top of the **Automations** page, overview tiles display key automation activity across your account.
These include: * **Active automations** - The number of automations currently enabled * **Total runs (all time)** - The total number of times automations have executed * **Messages sent today** - The number of messages sent by automations during the current day These metrics help your team quickly monitor automation usage and activity. *** ### **Your automations** The **Your automations** tab shows all active channels and automations currently configured in your account. This is where you manage existing communication channels and ensure they are properly set up to handle incoming conversations.
By default, this includes: * **Live chat** - Chat with visitors on your site in real time Additional automations appear once the relevant channels or features are enabled: * **Text/SMS** - Appears after setting up a Distance business phone number under [**Settings** → **Phone numbers**](/distance/getting-started/settings/phone-numbers-tab.md) * **Phone** - Appears after setting up a Distance business phone number under [**Settings** → **Phone numbers**](/distance/getting-started/settings/phone-numbers-tab.md) * **Facebook** - Appears after connecting a Facebook account under [**Settings** → **Integrations**](/distance/getting-started/settings/integrations-tab.md) * **Instagram** - Appears after connecting an Instagram account under [**Settings** → **Integrations**](/distance/getting-started/settings/integrations-tab.md) Workflow automations from the **Recommended automations** tab appear here once created: * **Follow up on form leads** - Appears after creation * **Missed call follow-up** - Appears after creation Each automation displays an action button based on its type and setup status. In **Your automations**, this typically appears as **Edit**, where you can configure settings, assign agents, or manage behavior. In **Recommended automations**, the action may appear as **Manage** or **Connect**, depending on whether the channel is already linked or still needs to be set up. *** ### **Recommended automations** The **Recommended automations** tab contains prebuilt channel integrations and workflow templates that help you expand your communication setup in Distance. This section helps you quickly connect new channels or activate common automation flows without building them from scratch. #### **Capture** The **Capture** section focuses on connecting communication channels into Distance.
Available options include: * **Live chat** - Includes Manage and Embed options for configuring and installing your chat widget * **Facebook** - Connect your Facebook integration * **Instagram** - Connect your Instagram integration * **Text/SMS** - Manage your SMS configuration and phone numbers * **Phone** - Manage phone numbers and AI Voice call handling For Text/SMS and Phone, clicking Manage opens the same configuration panel as clicking Edit under the Your automations tab. #### **Convert** The **Convert** section contains automation templates designed to help your team follow up with leads automatically.
Available templates include: * **Follow up on form leads** - Automatically reply to new inquiries submitted through forms * **Missed call follow-up** - Automatically send SMS follow-ups when calls are dropped or missed Each template includes a **Create** option. Clicking **Create** opens the [**New automation**](/distance/getting-started/automations/setting-up-an-automation.md#creating-an-automation) page, where you can configure the trigger, message, timing, and automation behavior. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://distance.gitbook.io/distance/getting-started/automations.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.