plunk/apps/wiki/content/docs/guides/workflow-automation.mdx

---
title: Advanced Workflow Automation
description: Control workflow re-entry and pass execution context data
---

## Workflow Re-Entry Control

Control whether contacts can enter the same workflow multiple times.

### Allow Re-Entry

Use when the workflow represents a repeating process:

```javascript
{
  "name": "Weekly Newsletter",
  "triggerType": "EVENT",
  "triggerConfig": { "eventName": "newsletter.send" },
  "allowReentry": true  // Contacts can re-enter
}
```

**When to use**:
- Recurring campaigns (weekly newsletters)
- Event-based sequences (cart abandoned)
- Behavior triggers that can happen multiple times

**What happens**: Contact can have multiple active executions of the same workflow.

### Prevent Re-Entry (Default)

Use for one-time journeys:

```javascript
{
  "name": "Onboarding Series",
  "triggerType": "EVENT",
  "triggerConfig": { "eventName": "user.signup" },
  "allowReentry": false  // One-time only (default)
}
```

**When to use**:
- User onboarding
- Trial expiration
- Welcome sequences

**What happens**: Contact can only enter once, even if the trigger fires again.

## Execution Context

Pass event-specific data when starting a workflow execution.

### Basic Example

```javascript
// Start workflow with order-specific context
fetch('/workflows/workflow_id/executions', {
  method: 'POST',
  body: JSON.stringify({
    contactId: 'contact_id',
    context: {
      orderNumber: 'ORD-12345',
      orderTotal: 299.99,
      deliveryDate: '2024-03-30'
    }
  })
});
```

In your workflow email templates:

```html
<p>Hi {'{{firstName}}'}!</p>
<p>Order #{'{{orderNumber}}'}: ${'{{orderTotal}}'}</p>
<p>Delivery: {'{{deliveryDate}}'}</p>
```

The template accesses both contact data (`firstName`) and context data (`orderNumber`, `orderTotal`, `deliveryDate`).

### When to Use Context

**Use execution context for**:
- Order-specific details
- Event registration info
- Session data
- Campaign-specific values

**Update contact data for**:
- Persistent user attributes
- Cumulative metrics (total orders, lifetime value)
- Segment-able fields

### Example: Order Confirmation Workflow

```javascript
// Trigger workflow on purchase
{
  "name": "Order Confirmation",
  "triggerType": "EVENT",
  "triggerConfig": { "eventName": "purchase.completed" },
  "allowReentry": true  // Can purchase multiple times
}

// Start execution with order context
fetch('/workflows/order_workflow_id/executions', {
  method: 'POST',
  body: JSON.stringify({
    contactId: 'contact_id',
    context: {
      orderNumber: 'ORD-456',
      total: 199.99,
      trackingUrl: 'https://track.example.com/456'
    }
  })
});
```

Workflow sends emails with order-specific details while tracking cumulative purchase data on the contact.

## Real-World Patterns

### Pattern 1: Trial Workflow

```javascript
{
  "name": "14-Day Trial",
  "triggerType": "EVENT",
  "triggerConfig": { "eventName": "trial.started" },
  "allowReentry": false  // Only trial once
}

// Workflow steps:
// Day 0: Welcome email
// Day 7: Mid-trial check-in
// Day 13: Upgrade reminder
```

### Pattern 2: Cart Abandonment

```javascript
{
  "name": "Cart Abandoned",
  "triggerType": "EVENT",
  "triggerConfig": { "eventName": "cart.abandoned" },
  "allowReentry": true  // Can abandon multiple times
}

// Pass cart data as context
context: {
  cartTotal: 99.99,
  cartUrl: 'https://app.example.com/cart/abc'
}
```

### Pattern 3: Event Reminders

```javascript
{
  "name": "Webinar Reminders",
  "triggerType": "EVENT",
  "triggerConfig": { "eventName": "webinar.registered" },
  "allowReentry": true  // Can register for multiple webinars
}

// Pass webinar details as context
context: {
  webinarTitle: 'Email Automation Masterclass',
  webinarDate: '2024-04-10',
  webinarLink: 'https://zoom.us/j/12345'
}
```

## Monitoring Executions

Check workflow execution status:

```bash
curl -X GET "/workflows/workflow_id/executions/execution_id" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer sk_your_secret_key"
```

Response shows step progress:

```json
{
  "success": true,
  "data": {
    "id": "execution_id",
    "status": "active",
    "steps": [
      {
        "stepId": "step_1",
        "status": "completed",
        "completedAt": "2024-03-15T10:00:00Z"
      },
      {
        "stepId": "step_2",
        "status": "waiting",
        "waitingUntil": "2024-03-16T10:00:00Z"
      }
    ]
  }
}
```

## Next Steps

- [Create workflows](/guides/workflows) to automate sequences
- [Track events](/guides/events) to trigger workflows
- [Set up segments](/guides/segments) for segment-based triggers