Create a flow from a template

Templates are ready-made automation flows that you can use as a starting point instead of building a flow from scratch. Each template captures a common use case, such as routing incoming mail to cases or summarizing messages, and is pre-built with the right blocks already in place. You pick a template, point it at one of your inboxes, and Tekst creates a working flow that you can then adjust to your needs.

This article explains what templates are, how to browse and filter them, and how to use one to create a new flow. For background on flows in general, see What are automations?.

What is a template?

A template is a pre-configured flow built around a specific job, for example classifying incoming email or removing clutter from a shared inbox. Templates are designed to work with particular integrations: each one has an input integration (where messages come from) and one or more output integrations (where the flow takes action).

Using a template does not change the template itself. Tekst creates a brand new flow from the template and connects it to the inbox you choose, so you are free to edit the resulting flow without affecting anyone else.

Browse templates

To see the available templates, open <yourcompany>.tekst.com/automations and select the Templates tab at the top of the page.

Templates are grouped by use case, so related templates appear together. Typical use cases include:

• Classification
• Mail-to-case
• Document processing
• Shared Inbox Management
• Clutter removal
• Automated response
• Summary

Each template is shown as a card with the input and output integration logos and the use case it belongs to, so you can tell at a glance what the template connects and what it does.

Search and filter

If you have a lot of templates to look through, you can narrow the list:

• Use the search box to find a template by name or description.
• Use the filter to show only templates for specific integrations, or only templates for specific use cases. Click Apply to apply your selection, and Clear filters to reset.

Templates that rely on an integration your organisation has not connected yet appear dimmed. You can still open them to see what they do, but you will need to connect the required integration before you can use them.

Use a template to create a flow

1. Click a template card to open its preview. The preview shows the template's name, description, and a diagram of the flow so you can see the blocks it contains before you commit.
2. Select the inbox (or inboxes) you want the flow to run on. If only one of your inboxes matches the template's input integration, it is selected for you automatically.
3. Click Use template. Tekst creates a new flow from the template and opens it in the flow editor.
4. Review and adjust the new flow as needed, then publish it when you are ready. Editing and publishing a flow works exactly as it does for any other flow, as described in Create your first automation flow.

If a template includes a custom action, Tekst lets you know that a custom action will be created alongside the flow when you use the template.

If a template is unavailable

If the preview shows that the template needs an integration you have not connected, you will see a prompt to connect it. Use the Connect integration button to go to the integrations page and set up the missing integration, then return to the template to use it.

Creating a flow requires permission to manage automations. If you do not have that permission, ask an administrator in your organisation to create the flow for you.

Related articles

• What are automations?
• Create your first automation flow