---
title: "Create an automation from a recipe"
slug: "create-an-automation-from-a-recipe"
abstract: "Create an automation in Sitecore Send using available recipes that include pre-configured workflows for common marketing goals."
---
# Create an automation from a recipe

Sitecore Send simplifies [automation](https://doc.sitecore.com/send/en/users/sitecore-send/using-automation.html "Using automation") creation with preconfigured templates or [recipes](https://doc.sitecore.com/send/en/users/sitecore-send/using-automation/create-an-automation-from-a-recipe/types-of-automation-recipes.html "Types of automation recipes") that serve as starting points for your automation designs. Instead of [creating an automation from scratch](https://doc.sitecore.com/send/en/users/sitecore-send/using-automation/create-a-custom-automation.html "Create a custom automation"), you can select a specific recipe that aligns with your marketing goals and quickly edit it to fit your needs.

To create an automation from a recipe:

1. On the menu bar, click **Automation**.
2. Click **New** > **From recipe**.
3. In the **Automation recipes** list, navigate to the specific [type of recipe](https://doc.sitecore.com/send/en/users/sitecore-send/using-automation/create-an-automation-from-a-recipe/types-of-automation-recipes.html "Types of automation recipes") that you want to use and click ![arrow.png](https://doc.sitecore.com/api/markdown-image/send/en/users/sitecore-send/images/arrow.png) to select the recipe.

    The automation designer displays the selected recipe on a new page, with the name, ID, status, and task list of the automation in the left pane, and the pre-configured workflow in the design pane.

    ![Automation designer displaying the default page when you select a recipe.](https://doc.sitecore.com/api/markdown-image/send/en/users/sitecore-send/images/Send_automation_from_recipe.png)

4. Click each step in the workflow, fill out the required fields, and click **Save**.
5. To add more steps to your automation workflow, click **Add flow step** ![add_flow_step.png](https://doc.sitecore.com/api/markdown-image/send/en/users/sitecore-send/images/add_flow_step.png) in the desired location. You can add a [conditional/control step](https://doc.sitecore.com/send/en/users/sitecore-send/using-automation/create-a-custom-automation/add-a-conditional-or-control-step.html "Add a conditional or control step") or an [action](https://doc.sitecore.com/send/en/users/sitecore-send/using-automation/create-a-custom-automation/add-an-action-to-an-automation-workflow.html "Add an action to an automation workflow").

    > [!note]
    > You can also [delete, duplicate, or merge steps](https://doc.sitecore.com/send/en/users/sitecore-send/using-automation/work-with-automations.html "Work with automations") as necessary.

6. In the left pane, check the [task list](https://doc.sitecore.com/send/en/users/sitecore-send/using-automation/create-a-custom-automation/work-with-the-task-list.html "Work with the task list") for any pending tasks indicated by ![incomplete_task.png](https://doc.sitecore.com/api/markdown-image/send/en/users/sitecore-send/images/incomplete_task.png).
7. Click the pending task you want to work on, fill out the required fields, and click **Save**.

    > [!important]
    > You must complete all the tasks contained in each step of the workflow to enable you to activate your automation. Until all tasks are completed, your automation has an *Incomplete* status.

8. Click **Save as recipe** to save your automation.
9. In the **Save Workflow as a Recipe** dialog, enter the  **Recipe Name** and click **Save**.
10. To activate the automation, in the left pane, set the **Inactive** toggle switch to *Active* status.