> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.riff.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.riff.ai/archive/quick-start-tutorials-legacy-staging/riff-automations.md).

# Riff Automations

## Build automations you can see.

Automations are repeatable flows that move data, join steps, and export results. In Riff, you describe the job in plain English, the agent plans tiny tasks, wires integrations, and gives you a clear preview before anything runs. Schedules make it hands‑off; logs make it understandable.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/I4bswn6Lwk0>" %}

### **Why Riff Automations**

* **Plain‑English to production.** No box‑and‑arrow editors. Say what goes in, what happens, what comes out, and when it runs. Riff handles the plumbing.
* **Transparent by design.** See the plan (Riff Card), watch tasks execute, inspect logs, and open the live preview.
* **Built into your app.** Every automation ships with a UI so your team can run it on‑demand and see results.
* **One‑click alerts.** Send updates to Slack, Gmail, or Google Calendar in seconds.

### **When to use Automations vs Apps vs Agents**

* **Automations:** recurring, multi‑step flows (summaries, syncs, alerts).
* **Apps:** interactive dashboards & tools.
* **Agents:** background helpers that analyze/draft/act on a schedule.
* [Build your first automation](/archive/quick-start-tutorials-legacy-staging/quick-start-automation.md)


---

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