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

# New incoming chat

> Automation trigger: New incoming chat.

## New incoming chat

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/heyy-c8bd5c9e/b6zeIXEi9G2v5U2X/assets/automations-triggers-new-incoming-chat.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=b6zeIXEi9G2v5U2X&q=85&s=d9022a5bbe953af9ddc21cbf90736d8b" alt="New incoming chat trigger" width="1462" height="820" data-path="assets/automations-triggers-new-incoming-chat.png" />
</Frame>

Runs only when a contact messages you for the first time and a new chat is created. It does not run when an existing chat is reopened. Use this for welcome flows, onboarding, or any logic that should run exclusively for first-time conversations.

#### Fields

* **Channel** (required): Select the channel where this trigger will run.
* **When to trigger** (optional): Add a condition group to narrow the audience based on specific conditions.
* **Save text reply to** (optional): Save the contact’s text reply to an automation variable.
* **Save file reply to** (optional): Save the contact’s file reply to an automation variable.

### Use cases

* **First-time welcome and onboarding:** Send a welcome message, collect basic info, or run a qualification flow only when someone messages you for the first time.
* **New-lead handling:** Trigger lead scoring, CRM creation, or assignment rules only for brand-new conversations, not when an existing chat is reopened.
* **Channel-specific first contact:** Use “When to trigger” to run different first-time flows by channel (e.g. WhatsApp vs. Live Chat) or by attribute.

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