--- title: "Your First Automation" source: https://sumgenius.ai/docs/first-automation generated: 2026-08-23 --- # Your First Automation Once your account is connected, the fastest way to see ChatGenius work is to set up one small automation. This guide covers the two easiest to start with, comment-to-DM and simple replies. Each takes about two minutes and needs no AI setup. ## Overview There are two simple automations that give you an instant, visible win. Pick whichever matches what you want first: #### Comment-to-DM Someone comments a keyword on your post and instantly gets a DM. Best for turning post and reel engagement into conversations. #### Simple reply Someone sends a DM containing a keyword and gets an instant set answer. Best for fast replies to your most common questions. Both are no-AI automations, so they work the same way every time. You can set up one or both. ## What You Need - A **connected Instagram or Facebook account**. If you have not done this yet, see [Connect Instagram & Facebook](https://sumgenius.ai/docs/connect-instagram-facebook) first. - For comment-to-DM, a **post or reel** to attach the trigger to (or apply it to all of them). - A free plan is enough to start. --- ## Comment-to-DM A **comment trigger** watches your posts for keywords. When someone comments a word you chose, ChatGenius sends them a DM. Here is the simplest version: 1. In your portal, open **Comment Triggers** and click **New Trigger**. 2. Give it a **name** (just for you), and choose the **platform** (Instagram, Facebook, or both). 3. Add one or more **keywords**. A comment that contains any of them will fire the trigger. For example, use the word `PRICE`. 4. Write the **DM** the commenter will receive. On Instagram, add at least one **button** (even just "Thanks!"), because Instagram requires a button on these DMs. 5. Click **Save Trigger** and make sure its toggle is **on**. That is a working comment-to-DM automation. To make it feel less robotic later, you can add a public reply on the comment and write a few message variations. > **Note** > > Comment triggers can do much more, including ready-made templates, AI-written DMs, hiding the comment after the DM, and reaching people who already commented. Those live in the dedicated Comment Triggers & Rewind guide. This page sticks to the basics so you can get a first win quickly. ## Simple Reply A **simple reply** answers a DM instantly when the message contains a keyword. It skips the AI entirely, so it is perfect for the same questions you answer over and over, like hours, location, or pricing. It is a form, not a canvas, and it takes about 30 seconds. 1. In your portal, open **Flows** and click **Create**. 2. Choose **Simple reply**. 3. Give it an **automation name** for your reference, such as "Opening hours". 4. Leave the trigger on **Sends a DM with a keyword** and add the words that should fire it, for example `hours` and `open`. Press Enter after each one. 5. Write the **reply** that gets sent. Use `{name}` to drop in the customer's name, and optionally attach an image, video, or PDF. 6. Optionally pick a **tag** to apply to the contact, and add up to 3 buttons. 7. Check the **preview** on the right — switch between Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp to see how it lands on each. 8. Click **Save draft**, then **Publish** to set it live. Now when someone DMs you a message containing that keyword, they get your set answer right away, no AI and no waiting. > **Tip** > > A simple reply saves as an ordinary flow. **Advanced mode** at the bottom left opens it on the full canvas whenever you want to add more steps. See the [Visual Flow Builder](https://sumgenius.ai/docs/chatgenius-flow-builder). > **Note** > > Simple replies and the AI assistant work together. If a message does not match any keyword, your AI assistant handles it normally. --- ## Test It Live Always test from a **second account**, not the one that owns the page. - **Comment-to-DM:** from another account, comment one of your keywords on the post, and watch the DM arrive within a few seconds. - **Simple reply:** from another account, send your page or profile a DM containing the keyword, and the instant reply should come straight back. > **Note** > > If nothing happens, check that the automation is published and live, and that your message actually contains the keyword. On Instagram, also confirm the account is connected and that "Allow access to messages" is on (see [connection troubleshooting](https://sumgenius.ai/docs/connect-instagram-facebook#troubleshooting)). ## Next Steps You have your first automation running. From here you can go deeper: - Turn a single reply into a guided conversation on the canvas with the [Visual Flow Builder](https://sumgenius.ai/docs/chatgenius-flow-builder). - Let the AI handle open-ended questions by turning on the **AI Assistant** on the Meta panel. - Browse every guide in the [documentation hub](https://sumgenius.ai/docs). Automation not firing? Send us the post or keyword and we will check it for you. [Contact Support](mailto:info@sumgenius.ai)