> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://v3.captaindata.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Introduction

> Learn how to get started with automated actions to streamline your workflows.

<Note>
  Actions allow you to automate various tasks with external systems and APIs. By
  using actions, you can reduce manual effort and improve efficiency in your
  workflows.
</Note>

## Introduction

Automated **Actions** are the core of our system, allowing you to trigger operations with external systems directly within your workflows. With actions, you can interact with various APIs and services, automate repetitive tasks, and optimize your processes.

This guide will walk you through the steps of getting started with **Actions**, from setting them up to customizing and using them within your workflow.

<Check>
  Before you begin, make sure you have an account and have connected any
  third-party services you wish to automate.
</Check>

## Steps to Get Started

<Info>
  Using the v3 (legacy) you have to create at least a single-step workflow for the
  correspondin Action you want to automate.
</Info>

<Steps>
  <Step title="1. Create a New Action">
    To get started, head to the **My Workflows** section in the dashboard. Click
    **"New Workflow"** and select the type of action you'd like to automate.
    You'll have options for APIs, integrations, and more.
  </Step>

  <Step title="2. Configure an Action">
    Each action requires specific inputs and parameters. Provide the necessary
    credentials and configurations to connect the action to the relevant
    service, depending on its type (COOKIES, APIKEY, OAUTH...). For example,
    when using an API action, you will need to provide an API Key.
  </Step>

  <Step title="3. Set up Triggers and Conditions">
    After configuring the inputs, you need to define when the action should
    trigger. You can set triggers based on various conditions, such as scheduled
    times or user actions triggered via our [Launch a
    Workflow](/v3/api-reference/workflows/launch-workflow) API.
  </Step>

  <Step title="4. Test and Run the Action">
    Once everything is configured, it's time to test the action. Run the action
    in a test environment to ensure that it works as expected. After testing,
    you can deploy it to production.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Key Components of an Action

### Inputs

Inputs (array of object) are required values that the action uses to perform its function.
These can include things like `website`, social URL like a `linkedin_profile_url` and more.

<ResponseField name="linkedin_profile_url" type="string">
  For example a flow that requires a LinkedIn Profile URL.
</ResponseField>

<ResponseField name="meta" type="object">
  You can pass additional meta fields for as key, for example `meta: {"key1": ..., "key2": ""}`
</ResponseField>

Which would translate as:

```json
[
  {
    "linkedin_profile_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/guillaumeodier",
    "meta": { "hubspot_id": "12345" }
  }
]
```

### Output Data

Each action will return a specific output data after execution.
This data could be a response from an API, a status update, or any other result from the action.
We thrive at normalizing & cleaning data so you don't have to.

Use the [Get a Run's Results](/v3/api-reference/runs/get-job-results) endpoint to fetch an Action Run's results.

You'll receive results in the following format:

```json
{
  "items_count": 100,
  "pages": 1,
  "limit": 1000,
  "results": [ ... ],
  "paging": {
    "previous": null,
    "next": null,
    "have_next_page": false
  }
}
```

### Troubleshooting

If your action doesn't perform as expected, check the following:

<Warning>
  Ensure that the integration credentials are correct and that the endpoint is
  reachable. If you're experiencing issues with authorization, double-check your
  Cookies, API key or OAuth token.
</Warning>

<Info>
  For more advanced troubleshooting, feel free to reach out at
  [support@captaindata.com](mailto:support@captaindata.com); add detailed
  information about any failed requests.
</Info>

## Conclusion

Once you’ve set up and configured your first action, you’ll be able to automate a wide range of tasks with minimal effort. By integrating external services and automating workflows, you can greatly enhance the efficiency and scalability of your processes.

<Tip>
  If you're new to automation, start by creating simple actions with minimal
  configuration, and build up from there as you get more familiar with the
  platform.
</Tip>