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

# Use Automations

> Choose a recipe or build a workflow for articles and Pinterest Pins.

Automations repeat a workflow for you: select posts or topics, create content, wait for approval when requested, and send the results to WordPress or Pinterest.

Open **Automations → My automations** to choose a recipe or return to saved work.

<Frame caption="Recipes provide editable starting points for existing posts, new posts and article workflows.">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/pinsearch-3aae6db5/dDhM4rF6Ihne-8Nj/images/automations/recipes.jpg?fit=max&auto=format&n=dDhM4rF6Ihne-8Nj&q=85&s=a5ded26ee597c1ffa28528a324be0d42" alt="Automations page showing workflow recipes and Start from scratch" width="1145" height="675" data-path="images/automations/recipes.jpg" />
</Frame>

## Choose a recipe

| Recipe | Starting workflow |
| - | - |
| **Pin my existing posts** | Read website posts, design Pins and send them to the queue. |
| **Pin every new post** | Use new posts from your website, design Pins and schedule them. |
| **Write blog posts for me** | Find Pinterest topics, write articles, wait for your approval and publish to WordPress. |
| **Full autopilot** | Find topics, write articles, request approval, publish to WordPress, design Pins, request approval again and schedule them. |

Every recipe can be changed before turning it on. Use **Start from scratch** if you already know the sequence you want.

## Before you start

Connect the destinations your flow needs. Pinterest Pin workflows need a Pinterest account; scheduled Pins need queue times. WordPress publication needs a connected site. Article writing needs enough credits.

Free users can build a flow and run one test. Running recurring automations is included with Basic, Plus, Pro and Lifetime. Publishing and article limits still apply to the output.

## Three stages

1. **Build:** Configure steps, review **What will happen**, choose the weekly run day and time, and check the credit estimate.
2. **Test:** Run one real item through the flow. Articles use credits and Pins are saved to Drafts; the test does not publish.
3. **Turn on:** Confirm the plan and let it run on the selected schedule. Monitor results and respond to approvals on the automation's page.

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Card title="Build a flow" icon="workflow" href="/pinsearch-product-guides/automations/build-an-automation">Choose sources, actions and destinations.</Card>
  <Card title="Test and turn on" icon="play" href="/pinsearch-product-guides/automations/test-and-activate-an-automation">Understand test output before starting recurring runs.</Card>
  <Card title="Approvals" icon="hand" href="/pinsearch-product-guides/automations/review-and-approve-automation-results">Control what moves on and what happens after three days.</Card>
  <Card title="Monitor and pause" icon="pause" href="/pinsearch-product-guides/automations/manage-and-troubleshoot-automations">Review results and resolve paused workflows.</Card>
</Columns>


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