Quick setup checklist
Use this checklist to start a flow manually and control exactly which contacts can enter.
A flow can be started in multiple ways, depending on how and when you want contacts to enter it.
- Manually by a user
- Automatically by campaigns
- Automatically by triggers and events
A flow can be started by:
- Manual start from the flow editor
- A campaign event
- A keyword trigger sent by a contact
- A scheduled trigger (future date or recurring schedule)
- An incoming call
- An incoming message that doesn’t match any keywords
- When a contact initiates a conversation
- After a ticket is closed
Note: Each method is configured slightly differently, but all ultimately start the same flow logic.
Navigate to the Flows tab and click the flow you want to start.
[CAPTURE: Show the Flows list with a flow opened in the editor.]
Click the Start button in the top-right corner of the flow editor to open the Flow Start dialog.
[CAPTURE: Show the flow editor with the Start button highlighted.]
In the Flow Start dialog, you can:
- Enter contacts
- Select groups
- Search for contacts using a query
The query you enter:
- Runs against all contact fields
- Is not case-sensitive for field names or values
[CAPTURE: Show the Flow Start dialog with a search query entered.]
Tip: You can preview or refine your query before starting the flow.
The checkboxes in the Flow Start dialog let you exclude certain contacts.
Active contacts filter
Start only contacts who have sent a message in the last:
- 90 days
- 180 days
- 365 days
You can adjust this timeframe using the dropdown.
Not currently in another flow
Prevents starting contacts who are already active in another Messaging flow.
Important: A contact cannot be active in two messaging flows at the same time.
Tip: If you need to run logic without interrupting contacts, consider Background flows.
Not started in this flow recently
Exclude contacts who have already been in this flow within the last 90 days. This is useful for:
- Preventing duplicate participation
- Allowing re-entry after a cooldown period
As you configure your start options, a contact counter appears at the bottom of the dialog.
This shows exactly how many contacts will be started.
Clicking the number:
- Opens a search results page
- Lets you preview the contacts before starting the flow
[CAPTURE: Show the Flow Start dialog with the contact counter visible at the bottom.]
If you need to modify your selection:
- Click Edit query (blue arrow) in the Flow Start dialog
- Update your search criteria before starting the flow
[CAPTURE: Show the Flow Start dialog with Edit query highlighted.]
Once your selection and filters are correct, start the flow from the dialog.
Manual flow starts are commonly used to:
- Launch broadcasts or surveys
- Re-engage specific groups
- Test flows with selected contacts
- Start flows after data imports
Common Issues
The Start button is missing or disabled
Cause: You may not have permission to start flows, or the flow is not accessible in your role.
Fix: Confirm your user role has permission to run flows, then reload the editor and try again.
The contact count is 0
Cause: Your group selection or query does not match any contacts, or filters exclude everyone.
Fix: Click Edit query and test simpler criteria, then review filters such as “Active contacts” and “Not started recently.”
Some contacts were not started even though they match the query
Cause: A checkbox filter excluded them (for example, they are currently in another Messaging flow, or they are outside the active-contacts timeframe).
Fix: Review each checkbox filter and adjust the timeframe or disable the exclusion if appropriate.
Contacts can’t be started because they’re already in another flow
Cause: Contacts cannot be active in two Messaging flows at the same time.
Fix: Wait for the other flow to finish, stop the other flow run if appropriate, or use a Background flow when you don’t want to interrupt Messaging flows.