Last updated: March 2026 Category: Flows
Overview
A trigger is the starting point of every flow. It defines when and why a user enters the workflow. BeyondCart supports four trigger types: Event, User Milestone, Scheduled, and Manual. Choosing the right trigger is the foundation of an effective automation.
Prerequisites
Familiarity with the flow editor (see Creating a Flow)
At least one flow created (draft or active)
Key Concepts
Trigger Types at a Glance
Event — Fires immediately when a user performs a tracked action in the app.
User Milestone — Fires when a user's cumulative data crosses a defined threshold.
Scheduled — Fires on a recurring schedule, enrolling a batch of users each time.
Manual — Fires when you explicitly push users into the flow from the dashboard.
Step-by-Step Guide
Event Triggers
Event triggers fire in real time when a user performs a specific action. Supported events include:
page_view — User views a specific page or product in the app.
add_to_cart — User adds a product to their cart.
purchase — User completes a purchase.
cart_abandoned — User leaves items in their cart without completing checkout (detected after a configurable inactivity window).
wishlist_add — User adds a product to their wishlist.
app_open — User opens the app.
search — User performs a search in the app.
To configure an Event trigger:
Click the trigger node on the canvas.
Select "Event" as the trigger type.
Choose the specific event from the dropdown.
Optionally add filters to narrow the trigger (e.g., page_view where product collection equals "Sale Items").
[Screenshot: Event trigger configuration with event type dropdown and optional filters]
User Milestone Triggers
User Milestone triggers fire when a user's profile data reaches a specific threshold. This is evaluated whenever the relevant data point updates. Supported milestones:
Total Orders — Fires when a user's order count reaches a value (e.g., 5th order).
LTV Threshold — Fires when lifetime value crosses a dollar amount (e.g., $500).
Metafield Match — Fires when a specific customer metafield equals a target value (e.g., loyalty_tier becomes "Gold").
To configure a User Milestone trigger:
Click the trigger node.
Select "User Milestone" as the trigger type.
Choose the metric (Total Orders, LTV, or Metafield).
Set the threshold value.
[Screenshot: User Milestone trigger configured with LTV threshold of $500]
Scheduled Triggers
Scheduled triggers fire on a recurring basis, enrolling all users who match optional criteria at that time. Use cases include daily digest notifications, weekly promotions, or monthly re-engagement campaigns.
To configure a Scheduled trigger:
Click the trigger node.
Select "Scheduled" as the trigger type.
Set the schedule:
Daily — Choose the time of day.
Weekly — Choose the day and time.
Custom — Define a cron expression for advanced scheduling.
Optionally select a segment to limit which users are enrolled on each run.
[Screenshot: Scheduled trigger set to fire every Monday at 10:00 AM targeting the "Active Users" segment]
Manual Triggers
Manual triggers give you full control. The flow does not fire automatically — you decide when to push users into it.
To configure and use a Manual trigger:
Click the trigger node.
Select "Manual" as the trigger type.
Save and activate the flow.
When you are ready, go to the flow's detail page and click "Run Now".
Select the users or segment to enroll.
This is useful for one-time campaigns, testing, or situations where you want human approval before sending.
Tips and Best Practices
Use Event triggers for real-time responses. Cart abandonment, product views, and purchases are ideal for time-sensitive follow-ups.
Use Milestones for lifecycle moments. Celebrating a customer's 10th order or recognizing when they become a VIP creates memorable experiences.
Use Scheduled triggers for recurring campaigns. Weekly sale reminders or monthly check-ins work best on a schedule.
Add filters to Event triggers to avoid overly broad flows. A page_view trigger without a filter will fire for every page — adding a product or collection filter keeps it targeted.
Be cautious with high-frequency events. Events like app_open and page_view fire often. Combine them with conditions and rate limiting to avoid overwhelming users.
FAQ
Q: Can a flow have more than one trigger? A: No. Each flow has exactly one trigger. If you need multiple triggers for the same workflow, create separate flows that share the same action sequence, or use a broad event trigger with conditions to branch the logic.
Q: Does a User Milestone trigger fire every time the threshold is met, or only the first time? A: By default, a milestone trigger fires only the first time a user crosses the threshold. A user who already passed the milestone before the flow was activated will not be enrolled retroactively.
Q: Can I change the trigger type after creating a flow? A: Yes. Click the trigger node in the editor and reconfigure it. Keep in mind this resets the trigger — users who already entered under the old trigger are not affected.
Q: How quickly do Event triggers fire after the action occurs? A: Event triggers process in near real time, typically within seconds of the event being tracked.
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