# How to start an automation from a template

> On a new, empty automation, pick one of four templates: Link in comments, Price enquiries, Email waitlist or Story replies. It fills in the trigger, keywords and messages, and you add your link and save.

- Topic: Automations
- Plans: Free: included · Pro: included · Scale: included
- In the app: Open Automations — https://app.stage.mydmflow.com/automations
- Last checked: 2026-10-29
- Web page: https://stage.mydmflow.com/help/automation-templates

## The four templates

| Template | What it does | Trigger | Keywords |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Link in comments | Someone comments “link” and gets it in their DMs. | User comments on your post or reel | link, info |
| Price enquiries | Answers “how much?” in the DMs instead of in public. | User comments on your post or reel | price, cost, how much |
| Email waitlist | Collects an email address from everyone who comments. | User comments on your post or reel | waitlist, join |
| Story replies | Replies to anyone who answers your story with your link. | User replies to your story | Any reply |

Templates are on every plan, including Free.

## Steps

1. Go to **Automations** and click **New automation**.
2. On the empty automation, find **Start from a template**. If it is hidden, click **Show templates**.
3. Click the template you want. The name, trigger, keywords and messages are filled in for you.
4. Add your own link under **Send a link button**.
5. Change any wording you like. Every part is yours to edit.
6. Click **Save & activate**, or **Save draft** if you are not ready.

## What each template fills in

- **Link in comments** and **Price enquiries** send a short opening DM with a button. When the person taps it, they get your link.
- The three comment templates also post a public reply under the comment, telling people to check their DMs and message requests.
- **Email waitlist** sends a button, then asks the person to reply with their email. See [How to capture emails and phone numbers](https://stage.mydmflow.com/help/capture-emails-and-phone-numbers).
- **Story replies** answers every reply to your stories with your link, with no button, because the person already messaged you.
- Every opening message says it is an automated reply. Keep that line if you edit it.

## Good to know

- Templates only appear on a new automation that is still empty. Once you type a name or a keyword, they go away. A template can never overwrite an automation you already wrote.
- Picking a template saves nothing. If you leave without saving, nothing changes.
- Picked the wrong one? Change the fields by hand, or start a new automation and pick again.
- The **Story replies** template keeps answering every story you post until you pause it.