New at Tekst: Build Your Own Inbox Automations with Custom Actions

Say Hello to Custom Actions: Built for Your Unique Processes

At Tekst, we understand that automation isn't one-size-fits-all. Many businesses have their own quirky, nuanced workflows, especially when managing shared inboxes. That’s why we’re excited to introduce a new feature we’ve been testing internally: Custom Actions.

This powerful update is part of our automation module, and it lets you build your own tailor-made actions to slot directly into any automation flow. Whether it’s managing internal requests, categorizing support emails, or routing inquiries to the right person, you can now create automation steps that match your exact use case.

How It Works: A Real-World Example

To show how easy and useful this is, our Head of Product, Servaas, walks us through a real automation scenario:

1. A shared inbox is connected to an Outlook trigger.
   
2. When a new email arrives, it's processed by Tekst’s custom AI.
   
3. If the email is about an admin-related question, it automatically forwards the message to the responsible person, in this case, Servaas.
   
   

A simple and very basic automation flow, so far… But what if you want even more control? Servaas explains: “Lunch is holy for me.” So what if you don’t want to be interrupted by admin emails between 12:00 and 13:00?

Here’s where Custom Actions shine:

• Servaas adds a custom step to his automation flow.
  
• He clicks “Create Custom Action,” which opens Tekst’s app builder.
  
• No coding? No problem, there’s a prompt-based UI. He simply writes:
  “Write an action that detects if I’m at lunch (between 12 and 1), and wait until lunch is over before continuing.”
  
  

Tekst’s AI takes over from there:

• It generates the logic and code automatically.
  
• You can customize the code or simply add this new action to your automation.
  
• Now, admin emails only forward after lunch is over, so you can eat in peace.
  

Why This Matters

• Custom Actions give you unmatched flexibility, without needing to code (though you can if you want).
• Perfect for teams who want smarter inbox workflows.
• Save time. Avoid disruptions. Automate the boring stuff.

Whether your process is industry-specific or just a bit... personal (like protecting your lunch break), you now have the tools to automate your way.

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Curious how it works in practice? Watch Servaas walk through it in detail.