# Understanding workflow triggers

<figure><img src="/files/yKyvQrecXaRX65FYw9JF" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## What are triggers

Triggers define **when a workflow starts**.

A trigger listens for a specific event. When the trigger occurs, the workflow is automatically executed, and relevant data is passed to subsequent workflow steps.

{% hint style="info" %}
Every workflow can have only 1 trigger. Without a trigger, a workflow cannot run.
{% endhint %}

## Types of triggers

<table data-full-width="false"><thead><tr><th width="110.33953857421875">Event</th><th width="176.09197998046875">Event type</th><th>When it fires</th><th>Data available</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Product restock</td><td><strong><code>product.restocked</code></strong></td><td>Inventory changes from 0 to > 0</td><td><p><code>Product/variant ID</code></p><p><code>Inventory level</code></p><p><code>Subscriber list</code> </p><p><code>Campaign ID</code> </p><p><code>Restock timestamp</code></p><p><code>Location/warehouse</code></p></td></tr><tr><td>Customer signed up</td><td><strong><code>customer.signed_up</code></strong></td><td>Customer submits "Notify Me" form</td><td><p><code>Email</code></p><p><code>Product/variant ID</code> </p><p><code>Timestamp</code></p><p><code>Source</code></p><p><code>Consent</code></p></td></tr></tbody></table>

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Product restock" %}

<figure><img src="/files/F6giJN1WjuwQqr6IBtAp" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Starts when a product that was out of stock becomes available again.

{% hint style="info" %}
*Example:*

**Trigger:** Product restock\
→ **Action:** Send back-in-stock email<br>

Prebuilt workflow: [Send a back in stock notification](/xflow-app/workflows/get-started-with-workflow-templates-library/send-a-back-in-stock-notification.md)
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="success" %}
✨ Explore more pre-built workflow templates: [Get started with workflow templates library](/xflow-app/workflows/get-started-with-workflow-templates-library.md)
{% endhint %}
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="New customer sign up" %}

<figure><img src="/files/jvSRM7pcjEqHB9USndxY" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Starts when a customer signs up to be notified about a product in Notify me form

{% hint style="info" %}
*Example:*

**Trigger:** New customer sign up\
→ **Action:** Send welcome email\
\
Prebuilt workflow: [Welcome new subscribers with a discount email](/xflow-app/workflows/get-started-with-workflow-templates-library/welcome-new-subscribers-with-a-discount-email.md)
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="success" %}
✨ Explore more pre-built workflow templates: [Get started with workflow templates library](/xflow-app/workflows/get-started-with-workflow-templates-library.md)
{% endhint %}
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

{% hint style="info" %}
Learn more: [Available triggers, actions, and conditions](/xflow-app/workflows/available-triggers-actions-and-conditions.md)
{% endhint %}

## How triggers work

Triggers work automatically. Once set up, no manual action is needed for the workflow to run.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
An event happens in the system (for example, a product comes back in stock).
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
The trigger listens for that event.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
When the event occurs, the trigger automatically activates the workflow.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Event data is passed to the next steps in the workflow.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

{% hint style="info" %}
Want a full picture? Learn more about how workflows work: [How workflows work](/xflow-app/workflows/how-workflows-work.md)
{% endhint %}

## Common workflow triggers use cases

<table><thead><tr><th width="234.34881591796875">Trigger</th><th>Common use cases</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Product restock</td><td><ul><li>Send a notification to all waitlist subscribers once the subscribed product is back in stock</li><li>Alert the internal team about high-demand restock</li><li>Create a limited-time discount for waitlist customers</li><li>Implement VIP early access (send to VIPs first, then general waitlist)</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Customer signed up</td><td><ul><li>Send an immediate confirmation email</li><li>Thank the customer for signing up</li><li>Set expectations about notification timing</li><li>Offer signup incentive (e.g., discount for waitlist)</li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table>

## Examples of workflow triggers

{% hint style="info" %}

#### Example 1: Product restock

**Trigger:** Product restock

→ **Condition:** Customer criteria: Order count. **Order count > Greater than 0**\
→ **Action:** Create discount code\
→ **Action:** Send email\
\
🔗 Learn more: [Back in stock with exclusive discount for loyal customers](/xflow-app/workflows/get-started-with-workflow-templates-library/back-in-stock-with-exclusive-discount-for-loyal-customers.md)
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="/files/BIn6IcSeL609asS27jq5" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}

#### Example 2: New customer sign up

**Trigger:** New customer signs up

→ **Action:** Send an initial **welcome email** to the new customer.\
→ **Action:** Wait 3 days\
→ **Action:** Send a **follow-up brand story email**.\
\
🔗 Learn more: [Welcome email series for new subscribers](/xflow-app/workflows/get-started-with-workflow-templates-library/welcome-email-series-for-new-subscribers.md)
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="/files/ACdJxrEqep7pRsgT3H0p" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Related articles

{% content-ref url="/pages/3ajXS0dZtcdbezZlA3XI" %}
[Available triggers, actions, and conditions](/xflow-app/workflows/available-triggers-actions-and-conditions.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/NWmkFOfstlDd2472afEb" %}
[Create a workflow](/xflow-app/workflows/create-a-workflow.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/2vPjRx3iv0sn0W8FiqsT" %}
[Assign a workflow to your campaign](/xflow-app/workflows/assign-a-workflow-to-your-campaign.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

***

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