Automation Basics
TL;DR: Connected Boards Automations runs automations across boards. monday has no native cross-board sync — the Mirror column only displays connected values, it can't write back or be edited. Every automation follows the same pattern: When [trigger] → Then [action]. This page covers the core concepts you need to pick the right recipe, configure it, and verify it works.
How automations work in monday.com
Every monday.com automation follows the same simple structure:
When [trigger] → Then [action]
- Trigger ("when something happens") — the event that starts the automation
- Action ("perform an action") — what runs when the trigger fires
That's it. Every recipe in the library — all 36 of them — is a different combination of trigger + action.
What makes Connected Boards Automations different
monday.com 's native Connect Boards and Mirror columns let you link boards manually, but they stop short of true cross-board automation. Connected Boards Automations unlocks the full picture:
- Auto-connect items across boards — by matching value, status, item creation, or column change
- Two-way column sync — change a value on either board and the other updates automatically (unlike read-only Mirror columns)
- Trigger on connected item changes — react to status changes, updates, or column edits happening on another board
- 36 recipes — purpose-built for cross-board workflows
Common examples
CRM ↔ Project board stays in sync
When a new deal is created → auto-connect to the matching client + keep matching columns synced both ways
Auto-link new orders to existing customer records
When a new order is created → connect to the existing customer where Email matches (no ongoing sync)
Sync column values across linked items
When a column changes here → push the new value to all connected items on the other board
Sync status from a connected board
When a connected item's status changes → set this board's status to a value you choose
Connect new subitems to items on another board
When a new subitem is created → auto-connect to a matching item on another board with ongoing two-way sync
Choosing the right automation
With 36 recipes available, finding the right one is easier when you start with two questions:
What do I want to do? Pick your goal.
When should it run? Pick your trigger.
What do I want to do?
Each goal maps to one of these automation categories:
Connect items + keep them in sync two-way
The "default first recipes" — auto-link items and keep matching columns in sync as they change.
Connect items automatically based on a trigger
Auto-link items on creation, status change, column change, or move — with flexible matching logic.
Sync column values between already-connected items
Sync columns, dates, names, updates, and statuses across items that are already linked.
React to a change on a connected board
Trigger actions on this board when a connected item changes — sync status, move groups, remove dependencies or connections.
Connect subitems to items across boards (or vice versa)
Connection and sync recipes for subitems — supports all four entity combinations (item↔item, item↔subitem, subitem↔item, subitem↔subitem).
When should it run?
Pick your trigger based on when you want the automation to activate:
A new item is created on this board
"When item is created"
New deal → auto-link to matching client record
A column changes on this board
"When column changes"
Owner changes → sync new owner to connected item
A status reaches a specific value
"When status changes to something"
Status = Won → auto-connect to delivery board
A Mirror column changes
"When mirror column changes"
Mirror column updates → write the new value to a real column on this board
A button is clicked
"When button clicked"
Click button → push this item's values to all connected items
An item is moved to this board
"When item moved to this board"
Item lands on this board → auto-link to its match on another board
A connected item changes on another board
"When connected item's status changes to something"
Engineering ticket marked Done → set support ticket to Ready to reply
On a schedule
"Every time period"
Every Monday → run a weekly sync recipe
On a specific date
"When date arrives"
Project end date → push final status to the master board
How to customize an automation
Once you select a recipe in the Automations Center, you'll see a setup screen with dropdowns and fields to configure it for your boards.
If the automation isn't loaded immediately, this is normal. It may take monday.com up to 10 seconds to display the recipe sentence.
What you can adjust:
- Connect Boards column — pick the Connect Boards column that links your boards (or create one in advance)
- Matching columns — the keys on each board the recipe uses to find pairs (e.g. Email, Client ID, SKU)
- Matching logic — equals, contains, starts with, ends with
- Status / column values — the specific labels or values that trigger the action
- Boards & items — choose source and target boards
Once everything's set, click Create automation. Your custom logic is live instantly.
Testing your automation
How to test
Create the automation in monday.com 's Automations Center.
Trigger it manually — create or update the item/column that should activate it.
Check the result — did the expected change happen on the other board?
View run history — go to Automate → Manage → click your automation → see the activity log.
Pro tip: Start with a test board pair before rolling out to production boards. You can experiment without affecting real work.
If it didn't trigger
Run through this 4-step checklist:
Permissions
You need Admin or board edit access at three levels (Account, Workspace, Board) to create automations.
Webhooks
monday.com creates webhooks for automations behind the scenes. They don't count toward your quota.
Trigger
Make sure you're triggering the right way. "When item is created" = create a NEW item, not just edit one. "When connected item's status changes" = the change happens on the OTHER board.
Test again with a fresh item or column change
Quota
Each automation run consumes 1 action. Out of quota = automations pause until next month.
Once everything works
- Toggle on/off — pause automations temporarily without deleting them
- Edit — adjust settings without recreating the automation
- Duplicate — copy to other boards
- Delete — remove automations you no longer need
- View history — see when automations last ran and their results
Pro tip: Duplicate working automations to other boards instead of rebuilding from scratch. Right-click the automation → Duplicate → select target board.
Next up
Related
- Set up your first automation
- The best way to start with Connected Boards Automations
- Installation & Set up
- Understanding permissions
Still stuck?