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Every automation has exactly one triggerType. When a matching event occurs (or a schedule fires, or the API runs the workflow), the engine starts an execution with event.data populated from that source.
Source of truth: trigger types are stored in the API (VALID_TRIGGER_TYPES in the automations schema). The UI lists the same values with labels and filters in the Workflow Builder.

Trigger catalog

triggerTypeBusiness meaningTypical filters (triggerConfig)
alert_createdAn alert was created for an entity.Optional: severities, categories, delaySeconds (delay before running, up to a typical cap).
investigation_createdA case/investigation was opened.—
investigation_status_changedInvestigation status changed.—
investigation_updatedInvestigation was updated (e.g. consolidated alerts).—
entity_createdA person or company was created.entityTypes, countryCodes, optional automaticFlow (tax-id auto flow where supported).
create_entity_flowGuided onboarding flow by workflowId (not a live “system event” like the others).entityTypes, countryCodes, optional re-enrichment flags. Invoked via runAutomationById from the creation flow.
transaction_createdA transaction was created or updated in a way that emits the event.—
rule_triggeredAn AML rule matched and chose to start this automation (see Rules and workflows).—
kyc_approvedKYC validation finished with approval.—
kyc_rejectedKYC validation finished with rejection.—
kyc_validation_finishedKYC validation finished (approved or rejected).—
manual_executionSomeone calls POST /automations/:id/run with a payload.—
scheduledScheduler runs the automation on a cadence (daily/weekly/monthly, test intervals, etc.).frequency, hour, minute, timezone, dayOfWeek, dayOfMonth, optional intervalMinutes in the product.

Who emits which trigger?

  • Reactive events (alert, investigation, entity, transaction, KYC): the corresponding services emit the event to the automation engine (processEvent).
  • rule_triggered: synthetic event when a rule action runs the automation.
  • manual_execution: only when you call run with an automation whose trigger is manual.
  • scheduled: the automations scheduler process.
  • create_entity_flow: entity creation / onboarding path calling runAutomationById with the right workflow id.

Condition contexts per trigger

The product only shows condition fields that make sense for the trigger you picked. The UI maps each trigger to allowed contexts (transaction, investigation, alert, entity, KYC, rule):
TriggerContexts with data (typical)
rule_triggeredRule, transaction, entity, alert, KYC
alert_createdAlert, entity
investigation_createdInvestigation, entity
investigation_status_changedInvestigation, entity
investigation_updatedInvestigation, entity
entity_createdEntity, KYC
create_entity_flowEntity, KYC
transaction_createdTransaction, entity
kyc_approvedEntity, KYC
kyc_rejectedEntity, KYC
kyc_validation_finishedEntity, KYC
manual_executionTransaction, investigation, alert, entity, KYC (depending on payload)
scheduledEntity (payload is usually narrow)
See also Context and standby for how event.data is shaped.

Notes

  • Disabled or archived automations do not run.
  • KYC: kyc_approved / kyc_rejected / kyc_validation_finished may overlap in policy; design automations so you do not double-run the same business logic unless intended.

Maintenance: When the product adds a trigger, update this page and the synergy tables in Synergy.