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

# Build, Connect, and Run Automated Sequences in Echelon

> Learn how to build automated message sequences in Echelon, connect them to an AI Employee, and monitor their performance as they run.

Sequences are automated series of messages and actions that run on your behalf without manual intervention. You define the steps — what to send, through which channel, and how long to wait between each one — and Echelon executes them against a list of contacts. Sequences let your AI Employees work consistently at scale, whether you're nurturing new leads, following up on proposals, or re-engaging dormant contacts.

<Note>
  Basic sequences are available on all plans. The **full automation builder** — which unlocks multi-channel sequences, branching logic, and advanced triggers — requires a **Growth or Scale plan**.
</Note>

## What goes into a sequence

Each sequence is made up of steps. A step defines:

* **Action type** — send an email, send a WhatsApp message, send an SMS, or wait
* **Content** — the message to send, written by you or drafted by an AI Employee
* **Delay** — how long to wait after the previous step before this one runs

Steps run in order. You can build a simple two-step follow-up or a longer multi-touch flow depending on your plan and your goal.

## Build a sequence

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Sequences section">
    From your Echelon dashboard, navigate to **Sequences** and click **New Sequence**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Name your sequence">
    Give the sequence a descriptive name that reflects its purpose, such as "Cold Lead Revival — Q2" or "Post-Demo Follow-Up". This name appears in your dashboard and in the activity feed.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add steps">
    Click **Add step** to build out your sequence. For each step, choose the action type, write or import the message content, and set the delay from the previous step.

    Repeat until you have all the steps you need. You can reorder steps by dragging them, or delete a step by selecting it and choosing **Remove**.

    <Info>
      Multi-channel steps — such as following an email with a WhatsApp message — require a Growth or Scale plan and connected WhatsApp or SMS channels.
    </Info>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set enrollment criteria">
    Define which contacts should enter this sequence. You can enroll contacts manually, import a list, or set a trigger condition (for example, "contact has not replied in 30 days"). Trigger-based enrollment requires the full automation builder, available on Growth or Scale.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save your sequence">
    Click **Save** to store your sequence. It will not run until you connect it to an AI Employee and activate it.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Connect a sequence to an AI Employee

A sequence needs an AI Employee to execute it. The employee handles sending messages and managing responses that come back during the sequence.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the sequence">
    From the Sequences list, select the sequence you just created.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Assign an AI Employee">
    Under **Assigned Employee**, select the AI Employee you want to run this sequence. Choose an employee whose role and channel configuration match the sequence steps — for example, an Outreach employee for a cold lead sequence.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm the assignment">
    Save the assignment. The sequence is now linked to that employee and will use its configured tone, working hours, and follow-up behavior when sending.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Run and monitor a sequence

<Steps>
  <Step title="Activate the sequence">
    From the sequence detail view, click **Activate**. The sequence will begin processing enrolled contacts according to the delays you set.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Monitor progress">
    Open the **Activity** tab on the sequence to see which contacts are at which step, which messages have been sent, and which contacts have replied or unsubscribed.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pause or stop if needed">
    If you need to make changes, click **Pause** to halt new sends without losing progress. Use **Stop** to end the sequence for all enrolled contacts.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Review sequence performance after the first 50 contacts complete the flow. Look at reply rates at each step — a drop-off at a particular step usually means the message content or timing needs adjustment.
</Tip>

## What's next

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Create an AI Employee" icon="user-plus" href="/guides/create-ai-employee">
    Set up the AI Employee that will run your sequences.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Build custom tools" icon="wrench" href="/guides/custom-tools">
    Use the AI Coding Agent to build tools that extend what your sequences can do.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>