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Triggers enable agents to respond automatically to events, changes, and conditions, creating reactive and autonomous agent behaviors without manual intervention.

Overview

The Trigger primitive allows you to automate agent execution based on various signals - from webhook events to database changes to time-based schedules. Instead of manually invoking agents, triggers create event-driven architectures where agents respond intelligently to your environment. Triggers are essential for:
  • Event-Driven Automation: React to external events automatically
  • Real-Time Processing: Process events as they occur
  • Condition-Based Execution: Run agents when specific conditions are met
  • Autonomous Operations: Build self-managing systems
  • Integration Workflows: Connect disparate systems through agents
  • Monitoring and Alerting: Detect and respond to issues automatically

Event Triggers

Respond to webhooks, API events, and system notifications

Schedule Triggers

Execute agents on time-based schedules (cron, intervals)

Data Triggers

React to database changes and data updates

Condition Triggers

Execute when specific conditions or thresholds are met

How Triggers Work

When you set up a trigger:
  1. Registration: Trigger registered with event source or condition
  2. Monitoring: System continuously monitors for trigger conditions
  3. Detection: Trigger condition detected or event received
  4. Activation: Agent execution initiated automatically
  5. Context Passing: Event data passed to agent as context
  6. Completion: Agent processes event and performs actions
Reliable Execution: Triggers use at-least-once delivery semantics with automatic retries for failed executions.

Trigger Types

Webhook Triggers

Schedule Triggers

Data Change Triggers

Condition Triggers

Code Examples

Webhook Trigger

Schedule Trigger

Database Change Trigger

Condition Trigger

File System Trigger

Compound Triggers

Trigger with Filters

Use Cases

1. Payment Processing

Automate payment handling:

2. CI/CD Automation

Trigger deployments and notifications:

3. Customer Support Automation

Auto-respond to support tickets:

4. Inventory Management

Monitor and reorder inventory:

5. Security Monitoring

Detect and respond to security events:

6. Content Publishing

Automate content distribution:

Best Practices

Trigger Design

Security

Validate Webhook Signatures: Always verify webhook signatures to ensure requests are from trusted sources.

Performance

Batch Processing: For high-volume triggers, batch events together to reduce execution overhead.

Integration with Other Primitives

With Workflow

Trigger complex workflows:
Learn more: Workflow Primitive

With Tasks

Create tasks from triggers:
Learn more: Tasks Primitive

With Memory

Remember trigger execution context:
Learn more: Memory Primitive

Performance Considerations

Trigger Latency

  • Webhook Triggers: < 100ms processing time
  • Schedule Triggers: Precision within 1 second
  • Condition Triggers: Depends on check interval
  • Database Triggers: Real-time (< 1s lag)

Scalability

  • Concurrent Executions: Thousands of triggers simultaneously
  • Event Throughput: Millions of events per day
  • Queue Management: Automatic queuing during high volume

Cost Optimization

Troubleshooting

Problem: Trigger configured but not executingSolutions:
  • Verify trigger is enabled
  • Check filters aren’t too restrictive
  • Verify webhook URL is correctly configured
  • Test condition logic manually
  • Check webhook signature validation
Problem: Same event triggering multiple timesSolutions:
  • Enable idempotency keys
  • Check for webhook retries
  • Verify event deduplication
  • Review trigger conditions
Problem: Slow trigger executionSolutions:
  • Optimize agent execution time
  • Use async processing for long tasks
  • Reduce complexity of filters
  • Consider batching events
Problem: Too many trigger executionsSolutions:
  • Add rate limiting
  • Implement more specific filters
  • Use batching
  • Add cooldown period

Advanced Patterns

Trigger Chaining

Chain multiple triggers:

Smart Throttling

Intelligent rate limiting:

Multi-Region Triggers

Deploy triggers across regions:

Scheduling

Advanced time-based trigger scheduling

Workflow

Trigger complex multi-step workflows

Hooks

Lifecycle hooks for agent execution

Background

Run triggered agents asynchronously

Additional Resources

API Reference

Complete triggers API documentation

Event Catalog

Available trigger events by source

Best Practices

Trigger design patterns and recipes
Pro Tip: Start with simple triggers and add complexity gradually. Test triggers with sample events before deploying to production to ensure they behave as expected.