Chatbot Triggers Explained

Chatbot triggers define when specific chatbot actions should occur. They allow you to react to user behavior, conversation events, or system conditions in a deterministic way, instead of relying purely on AI-generated responses.

Triggers do not replace AI replies. They augment or override behavior at specific moments.

---

What a Trigger Is #

A trigger is a conditional event listener.

When a defined condition is met:

• a predefined action runs
• the chatbot behavior changes
• a message is sent
• a workflow step executes

Triggers are evaluated during a conversation, not at page load.

---

What Triggers Control #

Triggers can be used to:

• send predefined messages
• modify system instructions dynamically
• collect leads
• redirect conversation flow
• stop or end a conversation
• escalate to another chatbot
• inject context into the AI prompt

They operate at the conversation logic level, not the UI level.

---

Where Triggers Are Configured #

Triggers are configured per chatbot, inside the chatbot’s settings.

Each chatbot:

• has its own triggers
• evaluates triggers independently
• does not share triggers with other chatbots

There is no global trigger pool.

---

When Triggers Are Evaluated #

Triggers are checked:

• when a user sends a message
• when a conversation starts
• when a conversation reaches a defined state
• when system conditions change (if configured)

They are evaluated before or alongside AI response generation, depending on trigger type.

---

Common Trigger Types #

Message-Based Triggers #

Activated when the user sends:

• specific keywords or phrases
• matching patterns
• predefined commands

Example use cases:

• “pricing”
• “contact”
• “support”
• “human agent”

These are useful for routing or escalation.

---

Conversation Start Triggers #

Activated when:

• a new conversation begins
• a user opens the chatbot for the first time

Common uses:

• welcome messages
• consent reminders
• onboarding instructions
• initial lead qualification

---

User State Triggers #

Activated based on:

• logged-in status
• user role
• guest vs authenticated user

Useful for:

• personalized greetings
• customer-only messages
• internal staff instructions

---

Contextual Triggers #

Activated based on:

• current page
• post type
• category
• language

These allow context-aware messaging inside the conversation itself, not just placement.

---

Trigger Actions #

When a trigger fires, it performs one or more actions.

Common actions include:

• sending a predefined message
• appending text to the system prompt
• changing chatbot behavior temporarily
• ending the conversation
• preventing AI response
• handing control to another bot

Actions are deterministic and do not involve AI creativity unless explicitly configured.

---

Triggers vs AI Responses #

Triggers differ from AI responses in key ways:

• triggers are rule-based
• triggers are predictable
• triggers do not hallucinate
• triggers can override AI output

You can use triggers to enforce rules that AI alone should not be trusted to follow.

---

Priority and Conflict Handling #

If multiple triggers match:

• they are evaluated in order
• priority is determined by configuration
• later triggers may override earlier ones

Poorly designed trigger stacks can lead to unexpected behavior. Simplicity matters.

---

Trigger Scope and Duration #

Some trigger effects:

• apply once
• apply for the current conversation
• apply only to the next AI response

This depends on the trigger action type.

Not all triggers are permanent changes.

---

Performance Considerations #

Triggers are lightweight:

• they do not require extra API calls
• they execute instantly
• they do not add latency unless they alter AI prompts

Heavy trigger logic should be used sparingly.

---

What Triggers Do Not Do #

Triggers do not:

• train the AI
• modify models
• permanently change personas
• override placement rules
• bypass privacy or consent logic

They operate strictly within chatbot runtime logic.

---

Common Trigger Mistakes #

• overlapping triggers with similar conditions
• unclear priority ordering
• using triggers for things AI should handle
• expecting triggers to “understand” context
• placing business logic entirely in triggers

Triggers are control tools, not reasoning tools.

---

Best Practices #

• use triggers for enforcement, not creativity
• keep conditions simple and explicit
• document trigger intent
• test triggers individually
• avoid large trigger chains
• combine triggers with clear personas

Triggers work best when they do one thing well.

---

Summary #

Chatbot triggers in Aimogen are rule-based execution points that activate actions when defined conditions are met during a conversation. They allow deterministic control over chatbot behavior, complementing AI-generated responses with predictable logic. Used correctly, triggers make chatbots safer, more consistent, and more purposeful without reducing flexibility.