> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.xpressbot.org/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Facebook Steps

> Every Facebook Messenger send, ask, and comment step in the Automation builder — what they do and when to use them.

## What is this?

These steps let an automation talk to people on **Facebook** — in Messenger and in the comments on your Page's posts and Lives. They only appear when you build a Facebook automation.

Steps for **logic, sequences, integrations, AI, and actions** work on Facebook too — see the [Builder Steps overview](/workspace/automation/steps/overview).

\[SCREENSHOT: automation-steps-facebook-palette — The builder palette showing the Facebook send, ask, and comment steps]

## What can I do here?

| Step                                       | What it does                                     |
| ------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------ |
| [FB Text](#fb-text)                        | Sends a text message                             |
| [FB Media](#fb-media)                      | Sends an image, video, audio, or file            |
| [FB Quick Replies](#fb-quick-replies)      | Sends temporary tappable chips                   |
| [FB Buttons](#fb-buttons)                  | Sends a message with up to 3 lasting buttons     |
| [FB Template](#fb-template)                | Sends a Generic, Instant Form, or Media template |
| [FB Product Search](#fb-product-search)    | Sends catalog products as a carousel             |
| [FB Comment Reply](#comment-steps)         | Replies publicly to a comment                    |
| [FB Private Reply](#comment-steps)         | Sends a private Messenger message to a commenter |
| [FB Moderate Comment](#comment-steps)      | Hides, unhides, or deletes a comment             |
| [FB Ask Text / Number / Email](#ask-steps) | Asks a question and saves the answer             |

## How to use it

### FB Text

Sends a text message. Use it for greetings, answers, and confirmations.

### FB Media

Sends an image, video, audio clip, or file.

### FB Quick Replies

**What it does:** sends a prompt with **1 to 13** quick-reply chips that appear above the message box and disappear once the customer picks one.
**When to use it:** fast, one-time choices.

### FB Buttons

**What it does:** sends a message with **up to 3 buttons that stay on the message bubble**.
**When to use it:** menus customers may come back to.

Each button is a **Postback** (leads to a path), a **Web URL** (opens a link), or a **Phone Number** (dials).

<Tip>
  Quick Replies vanish after one use; Buttons stay on the message. Pick Buttons for menus people might tap again.
</Tip>

### FB Template

Sends a richer Messenger template. Choose the **Template Type**:

* **Generic Template** — up to **10 cards**, each with a title, subtitle, default action URL, and up to 3 buttons.
* **Instant Form Template** — shows a Facebook lead form. Enter the **Form ID**, or click **Load Eligible Forms** and pick one.
* **Media Template** — an image or video with up to 3 optional buttons.

### FB Product Search

Searches your catalog and sends matching products as a Messenger carousel (up to 10 per message). Feed it a search phrase from an Ask step.

### Comment steps

These three only appear for Facebook **comment** triggers (a comment on a post or Live). The private reply also works with the **Page @mention** trigger.

* **FB Comment Reply** — sends a **public** reply under the comment.
* **FB Private Reply** — sends a **private Messenger message** to the commenter or the person who mentioned your Page.
* **FB Moderate Comment** — **Hide**, **Unhide**, or **Delete** the comment.

### Ask steps

**FB Ask Text**, **FB Ask Number**, and **FB Ask Email** ask a question, wait for the answer, check it, and save it to a custom field, with **Submitted** and **Not Submitted** paths. See [Ask Questions](/workspace/automation/steps/ask-questions) for the shared settings.

## Troubleshooting / Technical Notes

* **The comment steps aren't in the palette.** They only appear with Facebook comment triggers.
* **A reply wasn't delivered.** After more than 7 days of silence the customer must message your Page again before you can reply in Messenger.
* **No Instant Forms are listed.** Only eligible forms on your Page appear. Check the Form ID or create a form in Meta.
* **A button does nothing.** Connect a path for each Postback button.

## Related docs

* [Builder Steps overview](/workspace/automation/steps/overview)
* [Facebook overview](/workspace/facebook/overview)
* [Facebook User Interaction](/workspace/facebook/facebook-user-interaction)
* [Select a Trigger](/workspace/automation/select-a-trigger)