> ## 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.

# New Conversation

> Start a workflow the moment a brand-new conversation opens.

## What is this?

**New Conversation** fires once, the moment a contact opens a brand-new conversation thread on a channel — their very first message, not every message after it. It's the usual trigger for a welcome message or an opening menu.

<Note>
  It runs **once per conversation**, not once per message. Later messages in the same thread don't fire it again — use **Message Received** for those.
</Note>

## How to use it

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create the workflow">
    Go to **Automation → Create Automation**, choose the channel, and pick **New Conversation** as the **Trigger Type**. See [Create a Workflow](/workspace/automation/create-a-workflow).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Build the opening flow">
    A greeting, a short menu of buttons, or a question that routes the contact to the right place.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Test, then activate">
    Message the channel from a contact that has no prior conversation, confirm it fires once, then activate — see [Manage Live Flows](/workspace/automation/manage-live-flows).
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Tips

* **Keep it short.** This is the first thing a new contact sees — a quick greeting and a clear next step beat a long message.
* **Route, don't resolve.** Use buttons or a question to hand the contact to the right keyword flow or team, rather than trying to answer everything here.

## Troubleshooting / Technical Notes

* **It doesn't fire for a returning contact.** That's expected — it only fires on their first message in a new thread. Existing conversations continue on **Message Received** or **No Match Reply**.
* **The flow never runs.** Check that it's **Active** and the channel matches the conversation.

## Related docs

* [Triggers](/workspace/automation/triggers/overview)
* [Message Received](/workspace/automation/triggers/message-received)
* [Create a Workflow](/workspace/automation/create-a-workflow)
* [Manage Live Flows](/workspace/automation/manage-live-flows)