Trigger
A trigger is the rule that decides when a skill, hook, or workflow runs — manual (you click Run), schedule (cron-like), event (platform event), or keyword (message match).
In depth
Triggers are declared on each automation. Manual triggers wait for explicit invocation; scheduled triggers fire via the heartbeat; event triggers fire when matching platform events occur; keyword triggers fire when chat messages match defined patterns.
Also known as
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TriggersRelated terms
Skill
A skill is an installable extension that gives Theo a new behavior — a domain prompt, custom tools, allowed base tools, and an optional trigger (manual, event, schedule, or keyword).
Hook
A hook is an event-driven trigger that runs Theo automatically when something happens — a project is created, a share is accepted, a task goes overdue, a forum reply lands.
Workflow
A workflow is a multi-step automation — tool calls, AI transforms, conditions, delays, and notifications wired together with branching logic and credit checkpoints.
Heartbeat
Heartbeat is Theo’s background loop that periodically evaluates your installed scheduled skills and workflows — checking their schedule, your quiet hours, and credit availability before running.