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The Send Reply node sends messages through communication channels configured in an Ask a Person node. Use it within dispatcher workflows to respond to humans, ask questions, or send notifications.

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When to Use

  • Respond to messages - Reply to humans within a dispatcher conversation
  • Ask follow-up questions - Request more information
  • Confirm information - Verify collected data before proceeding
  • Send notifications - Alert humans about workflow events
  • Close conversations - Send final messages before ending
Send Reply is used within Ask a Person workflows. For standalone messages to external apps, use App Action.

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Example: Conversation Flow

Use Send Reply to build a multi-step conversation: 
├── Ask a Person
│   ├── [Action: Greeting]
│   │   └── Send Reply
│   │       "Hi {{customer_name}}! Thanks for reaching out.
│   │        How can I help you today?"
│   │
│   ├── [Event: Customer responds]
│   │   ├── Ask AI (understand request)
│   │   ├── Condition (can help automatically?)
│   │   │   ├── Met:
│   │   │   │   └── Send Reply
│   │   │   │       "I can help with that! {{llm_1.response}}"
│   │   │   └── Unmet:
│   │   │       └── Send Reply
│   │   │           "Let me connect you with our team.
│   │   │            Someone will reach out shortly."

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Example: Information Collection

Ask for specific information: 
├── Send Reply
│   "To process your request, I'll need a few details:
│
│    1. Your company name
│    2. Project deadline
│    3. Budget range
│
│    Let's start with your company name - what is it?"
│
├── [Wait for response]
├── Update Variable (company = response)
│
├── Send Reply
│   "Got it - {{company}}. When is your deadline?"
│
├── [Wait for response]
├── Update Variable (deadline = response)
│
├── Send Reply
│   "And finally, what's your budget range?"

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Example: Confirmation Message

Verify collected information: 
├── Send Reply
│   "Let me confirm what I have:
│
│    Company: {{collected.company}}
│    Deadline: {{collected.deadline}}
│    Budget: {{collected.budget}}
│
│    Is this correct? (Reply 'yes' to confirm or 'no' to make changes)"
│
├── [Wait for response]
├── Condition (response contains 'yes')
│   ├── Met: Send Reply ("Great! Processing your request...")
│   └── Unmet: Send Reply ("No problem. What would you like to change?")

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Adding Buttons

For Slack and web widget, add interactive buttons: Configuration: 
{
  "message": "Would you like to proceed?",
  "buttons": [
    {"text": "Yes, continue", "value": "yes", "style": "primary"},
    {"text": "No, cancel", "value": "no", "style": "danger"},
    {"text": "I have questions", "value": "questions"}
  ]
}
When the human clicks a button, the event handle receives the button value.

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Formatting Messages

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Plain Text

Hello!

Your request has been received.
We'll get back to you within 24 hours.

Reference: #{{reference_id}}

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With Variables

Hi {{customer_name}},

Thanks for your order of {{order.items.length}} items.
Total: ${{order.total}}

Estimated delivery: {{order.estimatedDelivery}}

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Channel-Specific Formatting

Email supports HTML: 
<h2>Order Confirmation</h2>
<p>Your order <strong>#{{order.id}}</strong> has been confirmed.</p>
Slack supports markdown: 
*Order Confirmation*
Your order `#{{order.id}}` has been confirmed.
Web Widget supports basic markdown: 
## Order Confirmation
Your order **#{{order.id}}** has been confirmed.

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Attachments

Include files in your message: 
{
  "message": "Here's the report you requested.",
  "attachments": [
    {
      "filename": "report.pdf",
      "content": "{{execute_code_1.files[0]}}",
      "contentType": "application/pdf"
    }
  ]
}

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Channel Selection

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Auto (Default)

Uses the same channel the human is currently using:
  • If they emailed, reply via email
  • If they’re on Slack, reply on Slack

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Force Specific Channel

Sometimes you need to use a specific channel: 
{
  "message": "I've sent the detailed report to your email.",
  "channel": "email"
}
Forcing a channel requires the human to have that channel configured. If they haven’t provided an email, forcing email delivery will fail.

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Tips

Keep messages concise. Long messages overwhelm users. Break complex information into multiple messages.
End questions clearly. Instead of “What’s your budget?” use “What’s your budget range? (e.g., 10k−10k-50k)”
Use buttons when you want specific responses. Free-text works for open questions; buttons work for choices.
Don’t send too many messages in quick succession. Batch information into single messages when possible.

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Settings

​
name
string
default:"Send Reply"
Display name shown on the canvas.
​
key
string
default:"send_reply_1"
Unique identifier for referencing outputs.
​
message
string
required
The message content to send. Supports variable interpolation and basic formatting.
​
channel
string
Which channel to use:
  • auto - Use the same channel the human is using
  • email - Force email delivery
  • slack - Force Slack delivery
  • web_widget - Force web widget delivery
​
attachments
array
Files to attach to the message.
​
buttons
array
Interactive buttons for quick responses (supported on Slack and web widget).

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Outputs

​
messageId
string
Unique identifier for the sent message.
​
deliveryStatus
string
Status of delivery: sent, delivered, failed.
​
channel
string
Which channel was used.
​
timestamp
string
When the message was sent.

Ask a Person

The parent node that manages conversation state.

Ask AI

Generate dynamic message content.

Channels

Learn about all communication channels.

Skillset Engine

Power conversations with AI skillsets.