SMS/MMS Triggers allow you to create automated text message responses for your listeners. When someone sends a message to your station number that matches specific keywords or patterns, the system automatically replies with your configured response.
Getting Started
To use triggers, you need:
At least one active SMS/MMS phone number configured for your station
Permission to create and edit SMS/MMS triggers
Creating a Trigger
Click the Add Trigger button at the top of the triggers page
A new trigger node will appear in the flow diagram
Important: You must connect your input source (phone number) to the trigger to enable it (drag and drop from the bottom point on your input source to the top of your trigger)
Connecting Input Sources
Triggers only work when connected to an input source:
Locate your phone number node on the left side of the diagram
Click and drag from the phone number's connection point to the trigger's connection point
The trigger is now active and will process incoming messages
Configuring Trigger Conditions
Each trigger has a "When" section where you define what messages should activate it:
Message Matching Options
begins with: Activates when a message starts with your keyword
Example: "song" matches "song request" but not "latest song"
ends with: Activates when a message ends with your keyword
Example: "schedule" matches "show schedule" but not "schedule please"
contains: Activates when your keyword appears anywhere in the message
Example: "nowplaying" matches "what's nowplaying?" and "nowplaying info"
Wildcard Support
Use the asterisk `*` as your keyword to catch all incoming messages. This is useful for creating a default auto-reply or fallback response.
Tip: Keywords are case-insensitive, so "SONG", "song", and "Song" all work the same.
Setting Up Responses
The "Reply with" section lets you configure what message gets sent back:
Click in the text editor field
Type your response message
Use the variable buttons below the editor to insert dynamic content
Your changes are automatically saved
Formatting
Line breaks are preserved in your response
Keep messages concise - SMS has a 160 character limit (longer messages are split)
Variable content is replaced at send time
Using Variables
Variables let you include dynamic, real-time information in your responses:
Available Variables
Click the variable buttons below the text editor, or type them manually:
Variable | Description | Example Output |
Now Playing | Current artist - track | "The Beatles - Hey Jude" |
Artist | Current artist name only | "The Beatles" |
Track | Current track title only | "Hey Jude" |
Last 3 Tracks | Recently played songs | "1. Artist - Song 2. Artist - Song 3. Artist - Song" |
Current Show | Show currently on air | "Morning Drive" |
Next Show | Upcoming show name | "Afternoon Hits" |
How to Insert Variables
Method 1: Click the buttons
- Click any variable button below the text editor
- The variable appears as a blue pill with the variable name
- Click the × on a pill to remove it
Method 2: Type manually
- Type the format: `{{VARIABLE_NAME}}`
- Example: `{{NOWPLAYING}}` or `{{ONAIR}}`
- The system auto-converts it to a pill
Example Variable Responses
Thanks for texting! Now playing: {{NOWPLAYING}}Current show: {{ONAIR}}
Up next: {{NEXTSHOW}}Here are the last 3 tracks we played:
{{LAST_3_SONGS}}
Advanced Options
Reply Once Per Listener
Enable the "Reply once per listener" checkbox to prevent duplicate triggers/spam:
- ✅ Checked: Each triggered phone number only gets the auto-reply once
- ⬜ Unchecked: Every matching message triggers a response
Use case: Perfect for welcome messages or general info requests where multiple replies would be annoying.
Best Practices
Be specific with keywords: Use unique keywords to avoid accidental triggers
Keep responses short: Aim for under 160 characters when possible
Test your triggers: Send test messages to verify they work as expected
Use wildcards carefully: The `*` catch-all should usually be your last trigger
Monitor your usage: Check your SMS usage to stay within your plan limits
Example Trigger Configurations
Now Playing Request
When: Message contains `song` or `track` or `nowplaying`
Reply: Currently playing: {{NOWPLAYING}}
Reply once: No
Schedule Information
When: Message contains `schedule`
Reply: {{ONAIR}} is on now. Up next: {{NEXTSHOW}}
Reply once: No
Welcome Message (Catch-all)
When: Message begins with `*`
Reply: Thanks for texting [Your Station Name]! Text SONG for now playing or SCHEDULE for show times.
Reply once: Yes
Recent Tracks
When: Message contains `history` or `recent`
Reply: Last 3 tracks: {{LAST_3_SONGS}}
Reply once: No
Troubleshooting
Trigger not working?
Verify the input source is connected to the trigger
Check that your keyword matches the incoming message format
Ensure you have edit permissions
Variables showing as "N/A"?
Current Show/Next Show: Verify your schedule is active and configured
Now Playing: Ensure your station is streaming and metadata is updating
Last 3 Tracks: Check that track history is being recorded
Messages not sending?
Verify your SMS number is active
Check your SMS credit balance
Ensure the trigger is connected to an active input
Technical Details
Triggers are processed in real-time as messages arrive
Variable replacement happens at send time with current data
Responses are sent within seconds of receiving a matching message
Line endings are preserved using `\r\n` format in the database