# Transfer Automations

## Introduction

Couchdrop Automated Transfers take the hassle out of moving files between systems by allowing you to schedule, trigger, and orchestrate file transfers without manual intervention. Instead of relying on scripts, cron jobs, or complex middleware, Couchdrop provides a managed way to automatically move data between your connected storage platforms, SFTP/FTP servers, or cloud environments.

With Automated Transfers, you can define rules and schedules that handle repetitive or time-sensitive workflows, such as nightly backups, hourly data syncs, or event-driven distribution of files.

## Triggers

Transfer Automation have two trigger types: Manual and Scheduled. Manual triggers are only initiated by clicking the **Run/Trigger Workflow** button. 

Scheduled triggers activate based on a configured schedule (evaluated in UTC) with the following options:

<table><thead><tr><th width="217.6328125">Schedule</th><th>Description</th><th width="110.03125">Example</th><th>Explanation</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Daily</td><td>Once per day</td><td>11:00 PM</td><td>Triggers at 11:00PM every day. </td></tr><tr><td>Frequency (minutes)</td><td>Triggers at the configured interval, from every 5 minutes up to every 59 minutes.</td><td>15</td><td>Triggers every 15 minutes. </td></tr><tr><td>Hourly</td><td>Triggers every hour at a specified minute</td><td>45</td><td>Triggers at 45 minutes past the hour, every hour.</td></tr><tr><td>Monthly</td><td>Triggers monthly at a specified day and time</td><td>1, 12:00PM</td><td>Triggers on the first of the month at noon.</td></tr><tr><td>Never</td><td>Automation will not trigger on a schedule</td><td></td><td>Used to pre-configure automations for later</td></tr><tr><td>Weekly</td><td>Triggers once per week on a specific day and time</td><td>Friday, 12:00PM</td><td>Triggers every Friday at noon.</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Secondary Schedules

If the Transfer Automation needs to run at multiple intervals, these can be set with Secondary Schedules.&#x20;

Suppose you want to trigger the automation at noon every Friday but also on the first of the month. To do this, create one Automation for Weekly, Friday, 12:00PM, and then a Secondary schedule for Monthly 1, 12:00PM.&#x20;

You can add as many Secondary Schedules as needed for a single automation.&#x20;

### Determining what to transfer or poll

Transfer automations require that you configure a source and choose what to transfer or poll.&#x20;

<table><thead><tr><th width="271.890625">Type</th><th>Description</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>All Files in Folder</td><td>Applies the automation to all files in the folder</td></tr><tr><td>All Files in Folder and Subfolders</td><td>Applies the automation to all files in the folder and all of its subfolders</td></tr><tr><td>File</td><td>Applies to a specific files specified here. </td></tr><tr><td>HTTP(s) File</td><td>Configure an HTTP/S URL and specify HTTP Method (GET, POST, PUT) with the option to request additional headers. </td></tr></tbody></table>

### Enabling Transfer Automations

To enable a Transfer Automation, click **Transfer Automation Enabled** in the builder or click the three dots next to the Automation name in **Automations** and choose **Enable Schedule.**&#x20;

{% hint style="success" %}
For information on specific actions and how to build automations, see [Automation Builder](https://docs.couchdrop.io/features/transfer-automations/automation-builder).&#x20;
{% endhint %}