Automations

Run a rule automatically when something happens in Basecamp. A rule has a trigger and one or more actions.

Triggers

Automations fire on one of two kinds of trigger:

Basecamp events: any of the webhook events Basecamp emits:

• Todo created, changed, completed, uncompleted, archived, or trashed
• Todolist created or changed
• Message created or changed
• Comment created
• Document created
• Upload created
• Schedule entry created

Field changed: a custom field value changes on an item. Optionally scope it to a specific field, or to a specific value on that field.

Actions

• Set field: set a custom field value on the item
• Add option / Remove option: attach or detach a tag (or multi-select option)
• Complete todo / Uncomplete todo
• Post comment: post a comment on the item
• Assign people: assign or unassign team members
• Move card: move a card table card to a different column

Example rules

• Auto-tag new work: When a to-do is created → add tag urgent.
• Close the loop: When a to-do is completed → set status field to Done.
• Route by priority: When custom field Priority changes to High → assign to the team lead.

Creating an automation

1. Open Settings → Automations in the Assistant web app.
2. Click New automation.
3. Pick a trigger (Basecamp event or field change), choose one or more actions.
4. Save. The rule runs on all future matching events.

Existing items are not modified retroactively. Automations only fire on events that happen after the rule is saved.

Tips

• Start with one or two rules. Automations are easy to stack until no one remembers why a to-do got tagged.
• Each automation has an Activity log showing when and why it fired.
• Admin-only feature: non-admins can view automations but can’t create or edit.