10 simple automation recipes
Each recipe is an "if this, then that": when something happens, something else happens automatically.
These are starter ideas. Exact trigger and action names differ by service, and free plans limit how many you can run (for example IFTTT's free plan is 2 applets and Zapier's is 100 tasks a month). Test with something harmless first, and never auto-send messages you have not reviewed.
Save email attachments to cloud storage
Every time a new email arrives with an attachment, save it to a folder.
Apps: Gmail, Drive
How it works: Trigger: new Gmail email with attachment. Action: upload file to a Google Drive folder.
Try it with: Zapier or IFTTT
Daily weather text
Get a short heads-up each morning if rain is expected.
Apps: Phone, weather
How it works: Trigger: weather forecast shows rain tomorrow. Action: send a notification or message.
Try it with: IFTTT
Spreadsheet row from every new form reply
Every form response lands as a new row in a spreadsheet.
Apps: Forms, Sheets
How it works: Trigger: new Google Forms response. Action: add a row in Google Sheets.
Try it with: Zapier or Make
Meeting notes to an email summary
After a call, get the AI transcript summary emailed to you.
Apps: Zoom/Meet, Gmail
How it works: Trigger: meeting transcript ready in your meeting tool. Action: send an email.
Try it with: Zapier + Otter or Fireflies
Starred email to a to-do list
Star an email and it becomes a task.
Apps: Gmail, Notion
How it works: Trigger: new starred Gmail message. Action: create an item in your task list.
Try it with: Zapier or Make
Draft (never auto-send) replies to routine emails
Draft (never auto-send) a reply to routine questions, for you to review.
Apps: Gmail, ChatGPT or Gemini
How it works: Trigger: new email with a label. Action: send the text to an AI tool and save the result as a draft.
Try it with: Zapier or Make
Post-queue reminder (calendar)
Get a reminder each weekday to post and reply.
Apps: Calendar
How it works: Trigger: daily at a time. Action: notification or calendar event.
Try it with: IFTTT or Apple Shortcuts
Voice note to written note
Record a voice note and have it transcribed into a text note.
Apps: Phone, Notes
How it works: Trigger: new voice recording. Action: transcribe with an AI tool and save to Notes.
Try it with: Apple Shortcuts
New customer to a welcome checklist
When a new client fills your form, you get a checklist task and a draft welcome email.
Apps: Forms, Email
How it works: Trigger: new form entry. Action: create task and email draft.
Try it with: Zapier
Weekly digest of saved links
Collect links you save and email yourself one digest per week.
Apps: RSS or bookmarks, email
How it works: Trigger: new item saved. Action: add to a list and send weekly.
Try it with: Zapier or Make
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