Getting started / Article

Set up your first Manychat automation

Connect your accounts, publish instructions, configure replies, and verify a real conversation.

Before you start

Use this guide for the Manychat setup path. You need access to the intended SiloBox workspace, a Manychat account and its API token, and an OpenAI API key. Ask a workspace admin to connect accounts if those controls are unavailable. Have a short description of your business and a realistic customer question ready.

A prompt tells the AI how to answer. An automation connects that prompt to an account and defines where the answer goes. A Manychat request flow brings the customer message into SiloBox; a Responses flow sends the answer back. You will configure both directions.

Follow the five steps

Open Guided setup in the correct workspace. In the Manychat step, connect or select the account that receives your customer messages. Check its integration before continuing.
Connect or select an OpenAI API key. Give a new key a recognizable credential name. Saving the key is preparation; testing the prompt later checks model access and billing.
Prepare your prompt. Create one with the wizard, import existing instructions, or write manually. Test a realistic question, improve the draft, and publish it. Return to setup and select the published prompt you intend to use.
Create an automation or select an existing one. Review the chosen account, key, and prompt. Configure response field destinations and select the Responses flow. Save and enable the automation after the required settings are complete.
Connect your Manychat flows using the template and instructions available for your automation. Use its Automation ID in the request flow. Publish any edited flows in Manychat, then send a real test message through the connected channel.

Check the result

Setup reports completion when SiloBox receives a conversation for the automation. Open Chats and inspect the incoming message, AI reply, and any delivery information. Also check that the reply actually appears in the original channel. Receiving a conversation alone does not prove that delivery succeeded.

If you get stuck

Use Back or the setup steps to correct the account, key, or prompt. Save and exit lets you return later; skipping a step does not configure it. A draft-only prompt must be published before use. If a message appears in Chats without a reply in the channel, follow the troubleshooting guides below before sending repeated tests.

Keep each release step separate

Draft edits and prompt tests do not publish instructions. Publishing a prompt does not publish Manychat flows or repair field mappings. Saving automation settings can change subsequent live runs, so verify the saved configuration and channel route. Use a tagged test contact when migrating an existing flow, and check both text and buttons before routing other customers to it. Review audio and image/PDF processing preferences if customers send files.