> ## 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.

# Web Chat Triggers

> Start a workflow when a website visitor submits your chat widget's pre-chat form.

## What is this?

Web Chat automations have a trigger of their own, on top of the generic ones covered in [Triggers](/workspace/automation/triggers/overview): **Pre-chat Form Submitted**.

It runs when a visitor to your website fills in the pre-chat form of your [chat widget](/workspace/web-chat/widget-builder) and submits it — before they start chatting. The visitor's **name**, **email**, **phone**, and **message** are available to the flow as lead-form details, so you can greet them, save them as a contact, or route them to the right team straight away.

## What can I do here?

| Trigger                     | Runs when…                                   |
| --------------------------- | -------------------------------------------- |
| **Pre-chat Form Submitted** | A web chat visitor submits the pre-chat form |

## How to use it

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create the workflow on the Web Chat channel">
    Go to **Automation → Create Automation**, choose your Web Chat channel, and pick **Pre-chat Form Submitted** as the **Trigger Type**. See [Create a Workflow](/workspace/automation/create-a-workflow).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Use the lead details">
    Add steps that use what the visitor entered — for example a welcome message with their name, an [Update Field](/workspace/automation/steps/actions) step to save their email, or [Assign team member](/workspace/automation/steps/actions) to route them.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Test, then activate">
    Submit the pre-chat form on your website yourself and confirm the flow runs, then activate — see [Manage Live Flows](/workspace/automation/manage-live-flows).
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Pair this trigger with a short welcome message, so visitors get an instant reply the moment they submit the form.
</Tip>

## Troubleshooting / Technical Notes

* **The flow never runs.** Check it's **Active**, the automation is on your Web Chat channel, and your widget actually shows a pre-chat form.
* **The trigger isn't in the list.** It only appears for Web Chat automations.
* **A detail is empty.** The visitor left that field blank, or your form doesn't ask for it.

## Related docs

* [Triggers](/workspace/automation/triggers/overview)
* [Chat Widget](/workspace/web-chat/widget-builder)
* [Web Chat Steps](/workspace/automation/steps/web-chat-steps)
* [Create a Workflow](/workspace/automation/create-a-workflow)