Editing Start an automation on a date or time (section)

== Step-by-Step Instructions ==

Here, we break down the three primary methods for starting an automation based on a specific date or time.

=== Method 1: Enter the Automation on a Date and Time ===

1. **Add any trigger** to your automation.
2. Click the '''Segment the contacts entering this automation''' checkbox found under the '''Advanced''' section.
3. The trigger modal will expand, allowing you to configure specific conditions:
   * Click the '''Conditions''' dropdown, then select the '''Date & Time''' category.
   * Choose the desired date and time option. You can select the '''Current date''' condition to specify the month, date, year, and/or time, or use the '''Current day of the week''' option based on your contacts' or your time zone.
   * Use the middle dropdown in the segment builder to select an operator, and the right dropdown to choose the value for the condition you set.
4. After completing your segment conditions, click the '''Add Start''' button.

=== Method 2: Enter the Automation and Wait Until a Date/Time to Proceed ===

This method allows contacts to enter the automation whenever they meet the trigger conditions but will queue in a conditional wait step until a specific date and time is reached.

1. **Add any trigger** to your automation.
2. Click the node (+) under the start trigger.
3. Select '''Workflow''', then click on the '''Wait''' action.
4. Choose the '''Wait until specific day and/or time''' option.
5. Using the dropdowns, select the date (month, day, year) and time (time and timezone).
6. Click the '''Save''' button.

This option is recommended for its straightforward setup, but you can also opt for the '''Wait until specific conditions are met''' option in the '''Wait''' action if combining date/time conditions with others such as tags or list membership is desirable.

=== Method 3: "Date-Based" Automation Trigger ===

The "Date-Based" trigger automatically adds contacts from a specified list into your automation as they meet predetermined date requirements.

1. From the Automation Trigger modal, click '''Date Based''', then select '''Continue'''.
2. The Action Options modal will expand:
   * **Starts**: Use the dropdowns to select when the automation runs for each contact and the date field that the automation will reference.
   * **List**: Choose your specified list from the dropdown.
   * **Check**: Set how frequently the trigger checks for contacts meeting your conditions (daily, weekends, or weekdays), and define the time of day for the check.
   * **Runs**: Choose between running the automation yearly (when the month and day match conditions) or only once (when year, month, and day match conditions).
3. Click the '''Add Start''' button once configurations are complete.