# How to Create an Automation in ActiveCampaign

> To create an automation in ActiveCampaign, click Automations, select Start from Scratch, and choose a trigger. Add a Send an email action, name the email, customize it, and click Finish. Add Wait and If/Else conditions, then add a tag action for your paths to complete the automation.

Canonical: https://livedemo.ai/tutorials/how-to-create-an-automation-in-activecampaign/
Apps: ActiveCampaign
Updated: 2026-10-05
Interactive demo: https://story-api.livedemo.ai/workspaces/62255d3d3304f17b8f5e2d03/stories/692a38e5ab56e05a00fdf109/preview?step=1

## Steps

1. Click 'Automations' on the left menu.
2. Click 'Create an automation.'
3. Select 'Start from Scratch' then click 'Continue'.
4. To begin your automation, select a trigger.
5. Click the 'Send an email' option from the 'Add a new action' modal.
6. Provide a name for the email.
7. Choose between 'Start with a new template' or 'Start with a past campaign'
8. You can customise your welcome email and click 'Next'.
9. Click 'Finish'.
10. Click 'Conditions and Workflow'.
11. Click 'Wait'.
12. To add a wait condition, select 'Wait until specific conditions are met'.
13. After you've set your condition, click 'Save'.
14. Click the 'If/Else' option to add a condition.
15. Click 'Save'.
16. Go to 'Contacts'.
17. Under the 'Yes' path, add an action to 'Add tag'.
18. Tag them as 'Clicked CTA link' and click 'Save'. Same goes with the 'No' path.
19. Now you have an active automation that delivers a welcome email and/or opt-in incentive immediately after someone joins your list.