Automations: Build Smart Messaging Workflows

Automations let you build intelligent, automated messaging flows that respond to your audience automatically — without you lifting a finger. The system uses a visual Workflow Builder, so instead of writing code, you drag and drop building blocks to create flows that react to messages, comments, keywords, and AI-detected intent.

Think of it as programming your Instagram and Messenger presence with a flowchart.

How It Works

A workflow is a collection of nodes connected together in a visual canvas. Each node represents either:

• A trigger (what starts the flow)
• An action (what happens next)
• A logic step (a condition or delay)
• An integration (connecting to external tools)

When a visitor sends a DM, leaves a comment, or says a specific keyword, the workflow evaluates your flow and executes the appropriate path — sending replies, adding tags, calling webhooks, and more.

Accessing the Workflow Builder

1. Open your Workspace
2. Go to Actions in the sidebar
3. Click Workflows
4. Select a workflow and click Manage to open the visual builder

Alternatively, from any connected channel (Instagram or Messenger), you can access the Workflow Builder through that channel's settings.

Creating a New Workflow

1. Go to Actions → Workflows
2. Click New Workflow
3. Give it a name and an optional description
4. Toggle Active to turn it on immediately, or leave it off to test first
5. Click Manage to open the visual builder

The Workflow Builder Interface

The visual builder is split into two main areas:

• Canvas — The large central area where you drag, drop, and connect nodes
• Sidebar — The block library on the left, showing all available node types organized by category

Node Categories

🔵 Triggers

Triggers start your workflow. Every flow begins with one of these:

Tip: Keyword triggers are great for simple responses ("send 'pricing' to get our rates"). AI Intent triggers are more powerful — they let you route based on what the message means, not just what it says.

🟢 Actions

Actions are what your workflow does when triggered:

🟡 Logic

Logic nodes control the flow path — deciding what happens next based on conditions:

🔗 Integrations

Connect your workflow to external automation tools:

🔴 Flow

Building a Flow: Step by Step

Step 1: Add a Trigger

From the sidebar, drag the appropriate trigger node onto the canvas. This is always the starting point of your flow.

Step 2: Connect Nodes

Click and drag from the output handle (bottom of a node) to the input handle (top of the next node) to connect them. Nodes connected to the trigger will execute in sequence.

Step 3: Configure Each Node

Click any node to open its configuration panel. Different nodes have different settings:

Example: Keyword Trigger

• Set the keyword(s) to match (e.g., "pricing", "hello", "discount")
• Choose whether matching should be case-insensitive

Example: Send DM

• Write the message text (supports placeholders like {{visitor.name}})
• Preview your message before saving

Example: Add Tag

• Search for and select an existing tag, or create a new one
• Tags are immediately applied to the visitor's profile

Example: If / Else

• Set the condition (e.g., message contains "support")
• The top output handles the true path, the bottom output handles false

Example: Wait

• Set the delay duration (e.g., wait 30 minutes, 2 hours, or 1 day)

Example: AI Intent

• Configure the intent categories you want to detect (e.g., "interested", "requesting demo", "complaint")
• Each category routes to a different output

Step 4: Add an End Flow Node

Every active path through your workflow should terminate at an End Flow node. This signals that the workflow is complete at that point.

Workflow Node Reference

Trigger Nodes

DM Received

• Triggers on any incoming direct message
• Captures the message text and sender info for use in downstream nodes

Comment Received

• Triggers on any comment on your Instagram post or Messenger page
• Includes the comment text and the post it was posted on

Keyword Trigger

• Matches one or more keywords in the incoming message
• Case-insensitive by default
• Can match multiple keywords with AND/OR logic

AI Intent Trigger

• Uses AI to classify the message into one of your defined intent categories
• Much more powerful than keyword matching — understands context and intent
• Requires AI assistant to be configured on your channel

Action Nodes

Send DM

• Sends a direct message to the visitor
• Supports dynamic placeholders for personalization
• Can include images or formatted text

Reply to Comment

• Posts a reply to the comment that triggered the flow
• Only available when the flow was triggered by a comment

Add Tag

• Adds a tag to the visitor's profile in Nviti.ng
• Tags can be used to segment contacts for future campaigns

Remove Tag

• Removes a tag from the visitor's profile

Logic Nodes

If / Else

• Evaluates a condition and routes to the true or false path
• Conditions can check message content, visitor attributes, or workflow variables

AI Intent

• Sends the message to the AI classifier
• Routes to the matching intent's output
• Falls through to a default path if no intent matches

Random Split

• Randomly distributes traffic between two paths
• Specify the percentage for each branch (e.g., 50/50 or 80/20)

Wait

• Pauses the workflow for a set time before continuing
• Useful for drip sequences, follow-up reminders, or time-based offers

Integration Nodes

N8N Webhook

• Sends a POST request to your n8n webhook URL
• Includes the full workflow context (visitor info, message, channel data)
• Use n8n to extend the flow with 400+ integrations (CRMs, databases, etc.)

ActivePieces Webhook

• Same as N8N webhook, but triggers your ActivePieces flows
• Supports the same payload format and authentication

Auto-Save and Drafts

The Workflow Builder auto-saves your flow as you work. If you navigate away and come back, your last state is restored.

To manually save at any time, click the Save button in the top-right corner of the sidebar.

Activating and Deactivating Workflows

Workflows only run when Active is toggled on. To test a new workflow before going live:

1. Build your flow in the builder
2. Leave the Active toggle off
3. Use the test webhook or send test messages to your connected channel
4. Once you're satisfied, toggle Active on

Connecting to External Tools

N8N

1. Create a new Webhook trigger node in your n8n workflow
2. Copy the webhook URL
3. Add an N8N Webhook node to your Nviti.ng flow
4. Paste the URL and save

ActivePieces

1. Create a new Webhook trigger in your ActivePieces flow
2. Copy the webhook URL
3. Add an ActivePieces Webhook node to your Nviti.ng flow
4. Paste the URL and save

Both integrations send the same standardized payload with visitor and message context, so you can use the same data structure across both platforms.

Workflow Variables

Dynamic placeholders you can use in message content:

Best Practices

• Start simple — Begin with a single trigger and one action. Add conditions and complexity once the basic flow works.
• Always end your flows — Every active path should end with an End Flow node. Unterminated flows can cause unexpected behavior.
• Test with inactive workflows — Build and test your flow with it toggled off before enabling it for real visitors.
• Use tags to track leads — Add tags at key moments in your flow so you can identify hot leads in the Visitors section.
• Don't over-automation — Too many automated replies can feel spammy. Balance automation with genuine human responses.
• Use Wait nodes strategically — Spacing out your messages feels more natural and avoids appearing robotic.
• Combine with AI Intent — Keyword triggers handle obvious cases, but AI Intent catches the nuance that keywords miss.

Troubleshooting

Workflow not firing

• Make sure the workflow is Active
• Verify the trigger type matches the incoming event (e.g., DM trigger won't fire on comments)
• Check that your connected channel (Instagram/Messenger) is properly configured

Actions not executing in order

• Check that all nodes are properly connected (output → input)
• Verify the condition in your If/Else node is set up correctly
• Make sure the correct output handle is being used (true path vs. false path)

Webhook nodes not triggering

• Confirm the external webhook URL is publicly accessible
• Check that the external service (n8n/ActivePieces) received the request in its logs
• Verify bearer tokens are set correctly if authentication is required

Keywords

workflow builder, messaging automation, Instagram automation, Messenger automation, auto-reply, keyword automation, AI intent, lead tagging, n8n integration, ActivePieces integration, visual automation, conversational automation, DM automation, comment automation, chatbot builder, marketing automation, workflow nodes