Automations basics

Automations are rules that fire when something happens (a booking confirms, a guest checks in, a cleaning finishes). They can send messages, dispatch tasks, generate codes, or call webhooks.

Built-in triggers

• reservation_confirmed — fires when a booking is confirmed on any channel
• pre_checkin — N hours before check-in (default 24h)
• checkin_day — morning of check-in
• mid_stay — halfway through stays longer than 3 nights
• checkout_day — morning of checkout
• post_checkout — N hours after checkout (default 2h)
• review_received — when a guest leaves a review
• noise_alert — when a noise sensor triggers

Your first automation

Go to Automations → New automation. Build this classic flow:

1. Trigger: pre_checkin · 24 hours before
2. Action: Send email + SMS
3. Template:

Hi {{guest_first_name}},

You're checking in tomorrow at {{check_in_time}}.

Address: {{listing_address}}
Door code: {{door_pin}} (valid from 2h before check-in)
WiFi: {{wifi_name}} / {{wifi_password}}

If you're running late, reply here and I'll sort it out.

— {{host_name}}

Shortrental auto-detects the guest's language from their booking and translates the template. You can also write separate templates per language.

Variables available

Conditions

Add conditions to skip an automation in certain cases:

• Only if channel is Airbnb/Booking/Vrbo/Direct
• Only if stay is longer/shorter than X nights
• Only if guest is a returning guest
• Only if listing is in a specific group

Testing

Every automation has a Test button. It runs the automation against a real upcoming booking of your choice — but sends the output to you instead of the guest. Always test before you activate.

Monitoring

Each automation has an Executions log showing every run, the output, and the outcome (delivered, bounced, etc.). If something looks wrong, click any execution to see the full request/response.