# Create an In-App Automation

Set up messages that appear in your app when users meet certain conditions.

See also the [In-App Automation](https://www.airship.com/docs/guides/features/messaging/in-app-automation/) feature guide.

To get started, access the In-App Automation composer:

1. Select **Create** in the sidebar.
1. Next to **Build from scratch**, select **View all**.
1. Select **In-App Automation**.

Next, enter a message name and save it. After completing a step, select the next one in the header to move on.

## Style

Select a message [style](https://www.airship.com/docs/guides/features/messaging/in-app-automation/#styles): banner, modal, fullscreen, or Custom HTML.
![Create an In-App Automation](https://www.airship.com/docs/images/composer-style_hu_8ed3d5a8557c5d0a.webp)
> **Note:** After selecting Custom HTML, the settings available in this composer
> are reduced to only those applicable to the Custom HTML message style.


## Settings

Configure [optional features](https://www.airship.com/docs/guides/messaging/in-app-experiences/configuration/optional-features/) and set or verify the [Message Purpose](https://www.airship.com/docs/reference/glossary/#message_purpose). Purpose only appears if enabled for the project.

Under **Localization**, enable the option if you want to provide different content depending on a user's language and country. See [Localization for In-App Automation](https://www.airship.com/docs/guides/messaging/in-app-experiences/in-app-automation/localization/).

## Audience

First, determine who can see your message:

| User group | Description | Steps |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Target by conditions** | Include only users who meet conditions you define based on user data. | Use the same process as when building a [Segment](https://www.airship.com/docs/reference/glossary/#segment). |
| **Test users** | Include the members of a [Test Group](https://www.airship.com/docs/reference/glossary/#preview_test_groups). | Select a Test Group. |
| **Feature Flag Audience** | Include members of a [Feature Flag](https://www.airship.com/docs/reference/glossary/#feature_flag) Configuration audience | Search for a flag by name, display name, or description, and then select a Configuration. |
| **All users** | Include all app users in your project. | n/a |

> **Note:** For projects using the [channel-level segmentation system](https://www.airship.com/docs/guides/audience/segmentation/segmentation/#channel-level-segmentation), use the following options for the user group:
> 
> | Option | Description | Steps |
> | --- | --- | --- |
> | **All Users** | Your entire app audience | n/a |
> | **Target Specific Users** | Audience members in a group you define | See [Targeting Specific Users](https://www.airship.com/docs/guides/audience/segmentation/target-specific-users/). |
> | **Test Users** | Members of a [Test Group](https://www.airship.com/docs/reference/glossary/#preview_test_groups) | Select a Test Group. |


### Channel conditions

> **Note:** For projects in accounts using the [channel-level segmentation system](https://www.airship.com/docs/guides/audience/segmentation/segmentation/#channel-level-segmentation), channel conditions are instead set when using the **Target Specific Users** option for your message audience.

<p>Use channel conditions to filter which channels are included in the audience. A channel must meet the conditions to remain in the audience.</p>
<p>To set channel conditions, use the same process as when building a [Segment](https://www.airship.com/docs/reference/glossary/#segment). You can use the following data in your conditions:</p>
<ul>
<li>App version</li>
<li>Device tags</li>
<li>Locale</li>
<li>Location opt-in status</li>
<li>New users</li>
<li>Platforms</li>
<li>Push opt-in status</li>
</ul>
<p>Follow the configuration steps in <a href="https://www.airship.com/docs/guides/audience/segmentation/target-specific-users/">Targeting Specific Users</a>.</p>

## Content

Content configuration varies by style:

* **Custom HTML** — Upload your HTML.
* **Banner** — Configure using the Classic design method.
* **Modal** and **Fullscreen** — Select a design option, then configure.

Design methods:

* [Classic](#classic) — Select a layout, then configure Text, Media, and Button elements.
* [Template](#template) — Select a [Template](https://www.airship.com/docs/reference/glossary/#template). You have the option to edit after selection.
* [Interactive editor](#interactive-editor) — Provide your own HTML or design using the [WYSIWYG editor](https://www.airship.com/docs/guides/messaging/features/wysiwyg-editor/about/).

A preview updates as you type and make selections.

![Content configuration for a modal in-app automation](https://www.airship.com/docs/images/iaa-content-pers_hu_5f2589c231f034eb.webp)

*Content configuration for a modal in-app automation*

### Classic

To add message content using the Classic method:

1. (Modal and fullscreen styles only) Select *Classic*.

1. Select a [layout](https://www.airship.com/docs/guides/features/messaging/in-app-automation/#layouts) to determine the order of content elements: Media/Header/Body or Text Only. Layout options vary by message style.

1. Configure the content elements. Available fields and options vary per message style. The Custom Keys option is available for all message styles.
   <ul>
   <li>
   <p><strong>Text</strong> — Enter text for the header, body, and footer.</p>
   <p>The footer is for fullscreen messages only. It is designed to link to your Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, or additional information to help the user make a more informed decision about the actions they could take in this message. The footer inherits the styling of the body text and functions as a button.</p>
   </li>
   <li>
   <p><strong>Media</strong> — Enter an HTTPS URL that will be accessible by your mobile audience.</p>
   <p>If your Airship plan includes CDN support, you can also upload media or select from previously uploaded media. See <a href="https://www.airship.com/docs/guides/messaging/features/media/#insert-media-in-message-content">Insert media in message content</a> in <em>Media library</em>.</p>
   </li>
   <li>
   <p><strong>Buttons</strong> — Enter button label text and click <strong>Add button</strong>. Banner and modal messages support up to two buttons. Fullscreen messages support up to five buttons. If there are two buttons total, choose a button layout: separate, joined, or stacked.</p>
   </li>
   <li>
   <p>[Custom Keys](https://www.airship.com/docs/reference/glossary/#custom_keys) —  Optional. Enter a key and value. Click <strong>Add another</strong> for additional keys.</p>
   </li>
   </ul>

### Template

To use a [Template](https://www.airship.com/docs/reference/glossary/#template) for the message content:

1. Select *Template*.
1. Choose a template.
1. Click **Continue with selected template**.

If you want to change the design after selecting a template:

1. Click **Edit**, then click **Edit 
** to open the template in the [WYSIWYG editor](https://www.airship.com/docs/guides/messaging/features/wysiwyg-editor/about/). 
1. Make your design changes.
1. Click **Done** to save your changes in the WYSIWYG editor, then click **Done** to return to the Content step.

Edits affect the current message only and will not be saved for the selected template.

### Interactive editor

To design message content using the Interactive editor:

1. Select *Interactive Editor*.
1. Click **Add 
** for the message body.
1. Configure the content:
   <ul>
   <li>For <strong>HTML</strong>, select the paste or upload option and add your HTML.</li>
   <li>For the <strong>WYSIWYG editor</strong>, first select a default or <a href="https://www.airship.com/docs/guides/messaging/features/wysiwyg-editor/saving-layouts/">saved layout</a>, or select <em>Blank Layout</em> to design your own. You can edit any layout after selecting. Then design your message. See: <a href="https://www.airship.com/docs/guides/messaging/features/wysiwyg-editor/about/">WYSIWYG editor</a>.</li>
   </ul>
1. Click **Done** to save your changes, then click **Done** to return to the Content step.

After adding content, you can configure [Custom Keys](https://www.airship.com/docs/reference/glossary/#custom_keys). Enter a key and value. Click **Add another** for additional keys.

## Actions

This step only appears if you added content using the [Classic method](#classic).

Assign an action for each button in the message, then configure options. See [Actions for in-app experiences](https://www.airship.com/docs/guides/messaging/in-app-experiences/configuration/button-actions/).

> **Note:** If you selected Custom HTML as the style, there are no options available in the *Actions* step. You must set actions in your custom HTML file.


## Design

Optionally override [default settings](https://www.airship.com/docs/guides/messaging/in-app-experiences/configuration/defaults/#setting-in-app-automation-defaults). Enable Background, Text, or Buttons and make your changes.
* Changes apply to the current message only and do not affect the project's default design settings.
* The available options are the same as those available when setting defaults.
   ![Create an In-App Automation](https://www.airship.com/docs/images/design-in-app_hu_aeee2478e9be3315.webp)

## Behavior

Configure the [trigger](https://www.airship.com/docs/guides/messaging/in-app-experiences/configuration/triggers/) that will cause the message to appear to users. You can also configure cancellation events, display conditions, and set a tag when the message is displayed.

## Review {#iaa-review}

Review your message appearance and summary.

* If you selected **Feature Flag Audience** in the [Audience step](#audience), compare the flag and In-App Automation start and end dates in the Schedule section to make sure your intended timing is set up correctly.
* If you want to make changes, select **Edit**, make your changes, then either select the right arrow icon (
) or select the central navigation dot to return to the Review step.

Select **Finish** to make the message active. If you exit before selecting **Finish**, the message is saved as a draft.