Actions

Reply

Reply answers whoever started the flow, on the same channel: a system that called the flow’s Webhook / API gets the answer back in its response, a chat gets the answer in the chat, and a message from WhatsApp, Telegram, Teams, SMS (Twilio), Outlook or Discord gets a reply in the same conversation, through the same account.

In the editor: Answers whoever started the flow, on the same channel: the app or system that called its Webhook / API gets the answer back, and a message from Slack, WhatsApp, Telegram, Teams, SMS, Outlook or Discord gets a reply in the same chat, through the account of the block that received it. Write the answer, or use {{reply}} from an AI agent.

Settings

Answer

Text, several lines

What to answer. {{reply}} is what an AI agent before it wrote; any {{field}} of the item works too, and {{count}} is how many items reached it.

{{field}} fills from each item: {{reply}} from an AI agent, {{name}}, {{city}}... {{count}} is how many items reached this block.

Needed before the flow can run.

How many answers

Pick one

One answer for each item that reaches this block: each incoming message gets its own.

  • Each incoming message
  • One answer for the run

An API caller gets

Pick one

Only for flows started by Webhook / API: what the HTTP answer holds.

  • The answer and the items
  • The answer only

In Slack, answer

Pick one

Only for flows started by a Slack message: the answer goes under that message, in its thread.

  • In the message’s thread
  • In the channel

In Slack, say “On it…” at once

On or off

Only for flows started by a Slack message: “On it…” appears the moment the message arrives, and the answer takes its place.

What comes out

Each item that leaves the block carries these fields, to use in the blocks after it as {{field}}.

What the caller gets

For a flow started by Webhook / API.

  • reply: The answer, in the HTTP response.
  • items: The items, unless An API caller gets is The answer only.

How to use it

Customer service

WhatsApp assistant with live places

An AI agent writes the answer and Reply sends it back in the same WhatsApp chat.

Waste and recycling

Recycling drop-off finder chat

Residents ask where to take old batteries or glass; the agent finds the nearest drop-off points and Reply answers on the chat page.

Retail

Order status by SMS

A text with an order number gets its status back by text, from your own database.

Operations

A form that answers

A website form posts an address and shows the nearest branch the moment it is sent.

Teams

Ask in Teams

Colleagues ask in a Teams chat and get the answer there.

Hospitality

Answer booking emails

Each email about availability gets a reply on the same thread.

Good to know

  • Reply works out the channel from the block that starts the flow. A flow started by a Schedule has nobody to answer: use Email or an app block there.
  • Each incoming message gets its own answer; One answer for the run sends a single reply, filled from the first item.
  • An answer through an app costs one message; the answer to an API caller or a chat is free.
  • Test runs only show the answer; Run once and live flows send it.

Works well with

  • AI agent: An AI agent: for each incoming message it thinks, uses the blocks you link to its Tools port (data, xMap AI, lookups, your tables, other flows, apps), remembers the conversation and writes an answer in {{reply}}.
  • Chat: Starts the flow when someone writes in its chat: the chat window in the editor, or a chat page you can share or put on your website.
  • Webhook / API: Starts the flow when another system sends a POST request with a JSON body to this flow’s webhook URL.
  • WhatsApp Business event: Starts the flow when something happens in WhatsApp Business: a new record, a message, a change.

Templates that use it

And 18 more in the template gallery.

Stories with it

Help articles

Guides and terms

Industries that use it

B2B sales · Retail & franchise · Restaurants & cafes · Real estate · FMCG & distribution · Marketing & agencies · Recruiting & staffing · Logistics & delivery · Government & cities · Investors & consultants · Healthcare & pharma · Hotels & tourism · Banking & lending · Energy & EV · Construction & facilities · Telecom · Automotive & mobility · Education & training · Fitness, beauty & wellness · Law & professional services · Media & publishing · Non-profits & humanitarian · Environment & climate · Ports & shipping · E-commerce & D2C · Manufacturing & industrial · Software & tech · Sports clubs & leagues · Pet care & veterinary · Home services & trades · Food delivery & quick commerce · Mining, oil & gas · Water & waste utilities · Insurance · Fishing & aquaculture

Try it

Build a flow with Reply on the home page, no account needed, or book a call. Try it live