Disable or reorder automation rules

Pause a rule without deleting it, or move rules up and down the priority list.

Before you start

• You need to be the account owner or a workspace admin. Other roles may see Limited Access before reaching Engage; if they can view the rules, management controls are greyed out.
• Check you're in the right workspace. Each workspace has its own rules.

Open the feature

Choose Engage in the left sidebar, then click Automation Rules at the top right of the inbox. Your rules are listed under All Rules.

Steps

1. Find the rule. To search, type its name in Search by name.
2. To switch a rule off or on, click its switch in the Status column.
3. To change the order, drag the rule by the handle next to its number in the Priority column and drop it in its new place.
4. To change a rule instead, click the Edit icon under Actions, make your changes and click Update Rule. Choose Cancel to discard edits. Reopening the editor shows the saved conditions and actions.
5. To remove a rule for good, click the Delete icon under Actions, then click Yes, delete it.

Expected result

A confirmation message appears and the list shows the change. A switched-off rule stays in the list but doesn't act on new items. After a drag, the Priority numbers update to match the new order.

Example

Your "Holiday hours" auto-reply should stop after the holidays. On Automation Rules, find "Holiday hours" and click its Status switch to turn it off. Next year, click the switch again to turn it back on, without rebuilding the rule.

Limits and permissions

• Only the account owner or a workspace admin can switch rules on or off, reorder, edit or delete them. Other roles see the tooltip Only the account owner or an admin can change automation rules.
• Switching a rule off doesn't undo anything it already did, such as replies already sent or labels already added.
• A rule with an End date that has passed shows Expired and its switch is greyed out. Edit the rule to change or clear the end date.
• Deleting a rule can't be undone.
• Turning a rating rule on checks that its supported review account is still available. If the account is disconnected or locked, reconnect or unlock it first. You can still switch the rule off.
• Clear Search by name before you drag rules, so the right rule moves.
• Place review rating rules before broader rules that match the same reviews. The first matching ordinary rule runs. Reordering a rule does not resend a response to a review the automation already answered.

Troubleshooting

• The switch, handle or icons are greyed out: you need the owner or admin role in this workspace. Check you're in the right workspace.
• A rule is greyed out and can't be changed: it's over your plan's rule limit. Delete a rule you no longer need to unlock it.
• The order jumped back after a drag: the change didn't save. Wait for the list to settle, then drag the rule again.
• The switch flipped back: the change didn't save. Reload the page and try again.