> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.oncanary.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# About automations

> Run defined maintenance actions when meter readings match a rule.

An automation is a deterministic workflow that evaluates a meter reading and runs ordered actions. It is useful when the response to a measured condition should be consistent and traceable.

## Before you begin

An administrator must enable **Meters** before **Automations** in **Settings > Features**. Prepare the meter and any work-order template, assignee, part, asset, or email recipient that the actions will use.

## Automation structure

| Part       | Purpose                                                   |
| ---------- | --------------------------------------------------------- |
| Trigger    | One meter and up to 10 OR clauses                         |
| Frequency  | One reading, X of Y readings, or sustained duration       |
| Conditions | Optional time window, asset status, or meter-value checks |
| Actions    | One to five ordered actions                               |
| Cooldown   | Independent suppression window for each action            |
| Executions | Evaluation and action outcomes for each run               |

## Supported actions

* Create a work order
* Change an asset status
* Send an email notification

New automations are active when created. An inactive automation keeps its definition and existing execution history while ignoring new readings.

## Lifecycle

Pause an automation by setting it inactive when the rule may be used again. Deleting an automation removes it from normal views and prevents future runs. Canary retains its definition, configuration, and execution history for audit and recovery, but does not include the deleted automation in ordinary product views or reporting. Work orders and other product records previously created by it remain in their own histories.

An active automation can still be a future-work dependency for an asset, meter, part, user, team, or template. Canary either disables that future work as part of deletion or asks you to resolve the active dependency first; an already deleted automation does not block another record's lifecycle.

## Related pages

* [Create an automation](/help/automations/create-automation)
* [Review executions](/help/automations/review-executions)
* [Meter automations](/help/meters/meter-automations)