> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://support.affinity.co/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Tutorial 13: Automation and Rules
> Automate list movement, status-triggered field updates, and use list templates for consistency.
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## Immediate Value
After this tutorial, you'll automate list entry movement with rules, set up status-triggered field updates, and use list templates for repeatable workflows.
## Prerequisites
* Tutorial 9: Building Your Pipeline
* Tutorial 7: Master List Views
* **Admin or list-admin access** is required to create automations.
## Quick-Start Roadmap
1. Automate list movement with rules
2. Automate field updates on status change
3. Set up list templates for repeatable workflows
**This tutorial covers the standard Lists experience.** If you've opted into "Try improved Lists" (Sheets 3 Beta), some buttons may be in different locations, but all concepts and outcomes are the same.
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## Why Automation Matters
Automation rules trigger actions when conditions are met β moving entries between lists, setting field values on status changes, or sending notifications. Once configured, they run without manual input.
> **Affinity guide:** [Affinity Automation Builder walkthrough](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15K4oO6ULRQ) and [Triggers & Automations overview](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPrcSTtJKUU).
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## Task 1: Automate List Movement with Rules
### Context
When a deal advances to a specific stage, you can automatically copy or add the entry to another list (e.g., from "Sourcing" to "Active Pipeline" when status changes to "Qualified").
### π¬ Watch
### Action
1. Open the list you want to automate.
2. Open list settings and select **"Automations"**.
3. Click **"Add Rule"** (or **"New Rule"**).
4. Configure the rule:
* **Trigger:** When **Status** changes to *\[stage]*
* **Action:** Add entry to *\[destination list]*
5. Save the rule.
6. Test by changing an entry's status to the trigger value.
**Example automations:**
* Status = "Qualified" β Copy to Active Pipeline list
* Status = "Closed Won" β Copy to Portfolio list
* Status = "Passed" β Add to Re-engage list
**Admin or list-admin access required.** If you don't see **"Automations"** in list settings, ask your admin to set up the rules or grant you list-admin permissions.
**Affinity caps automations at 10 rules per account.** Plan which rules deliver the highest value before adding new ones.
### Expected Outcome
Changing an entry's status to the trigger value automatically adds the entry to the destination list.
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## Task 2: Automate Field Updates on Status Change
### Context
When a deal moves to a new stage, you can automatically set related fields β recording a "Qualified Date" when status changes to Qualified, or setting a "DD Start Date" when moving to Due Diligence.
### π¬ Watch
### Action
1. Open list settings and select **"Automations"**.
2. Click **"Add Rule"**.
3. Configure:
* **Trigger:** When **Status** changes to *\[stage]*
* **Action:** Set field *\[field name]* to *\[value]*
4. Save the rule.
**Examples:**
* Status β "Due Diligence": Set "DD Start Date" to today
* Status β "Closed Won": Set "Close Date" to today
* Status β "IC Review": Send Slack notification (if Slack integration is connected)
Use field automations for objective values like timestamps and stage assignments. Leave subjective fields (notes, assessments, scores) for human input.
### Expected Outcome
Status changes automatically update the configured fields without manual input.
### π Help Center
* [How to Set Up Status Triggers](/s/article/How-to-set-up-Status-Triggers)
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## Task 3: List Templates for Repeatable Workflows
### Context
If your firm runs the same type of list repeatedly (e.g., a new fund pipeline, a quarterly LP tracking list), templates save setup time and keep configuration consistent across lists.
### Action
1. In the left sidebar, click **"Add New"** β **"New List"**.
2. The new-list dialog opens with built-in templates shown by default.
3. Pick a template that matches the workflow you're building (or click **"Build from scratch"** if none fit) β name your list β **Create**.
**Built-in templates** typically include common pipelines (VC deal flow, PE pipeline, LP tracking, portfolio monitoring). The exact list and naming may vary by account.
Before building from scratch, browse the template gallery β customizing an existing template is faster than starting empty. β οΈ Needs Review: exact template count varies by account.
### Expected Outcome
You can create new lists from templates with consistent fields and configuration.
### π Help Center
* [How to copy a list template](/s/article/How-to-copy-a-list-template)
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## Task 4 (Optional): Manage Apps & API Access
### Context
For admins integrating Affinity with external tools, the **Manage Apps** page (launched Dec 2025) lists approved integrations, OAuth apps, and API keys for the account. This is where Slack, Zapier, custom workflows, and Affinity MCP (April 2026) connections are managed.
### Action
1. Open the admin settings menu.
2. Select **"Manage Apps"**.
3. Review approved apps, revoke unused keys, and click **"+ New App"** to provision new API keys as needed.
**Admin only.** Revoking an active API key will immediately break any integration using it. Confirm the key is unused before revoking.
**Affinity MCP** (April 2026) lets compatible AI assistants query your Affinity data through a secure connector. Provisioning happens via Manage Apps.
### Expected Outcome
You know where to view and manage your account's integrations and API keys.
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## Common Questions
Yes, if your account has the Slack integration configured. See [Affinity field value updates to Slack integration](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Y9-ai-_UiI) for setup.
Yes. Toggle automations on or off in the list settings without removing the rule configuration.
Affinity caps automations at 10 rules per account. Prioritize the rules that automate the most repetitive transitions.
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## See It In Action
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## Where to Go Next
* **Next tutorial:** Tutorial 14: Analytics and Reporting
* **πΊοΈ Learning Paths:** Deal Management (Step 5), New Admin Setup (Step 5)