Automation steps

Build an automation's workflow: create, update, move, copy and delete its steps.

Steps are the workflow itself: the emails an automation sends, the waits between them, and the branches and actions in between. Every step points at its parent_id, the step it follows, so the steps of an automation form a tree rather than a flat list.

Create and update calls take the same shape: a type (on create) and a data object holding the settings for that type. data is optional on create, so you can add an empty step and configure it later. Updates replace the whole data object, so send every field you want to keep. A step's type cannot be changed once created.

Steps can only be added, changed, moved or deleted while the automation is inactive. Choosing an A/B test winner is the one exception and works on an active automation.

If the automation was deleted, every endpoint on this page returns 410 Gone.

Placement

parent_id decides where a step goes: omit it to make the step the first in the workflow, or set it to the step the new one should follow. When the parent is a condition or an A/B test, branch says which way out of it the step belongs to: yes or no for a condition, a_path, b_path or c_path for an A/B test. Only email and delay steps may live inside an A/B test branch.

Step types

`type`	Purpose
`email`	Sends an email
`delay`	Waits before continuing
`condition`	Splits the workflow in two on what is true of the subscriber
`abtest`	Splits traffic across two or three paths
`action`	Changes the subscriber, or jumps elsewhere in the workflow
`webhook`	Posts to a URL of yours

Email step

Field	Type	Required	Notes
`name`	string	required without `subject`	Max 255. Internal name shown in the builder
`subject`	string	required without `name`	Max 255
`from`	email	yes	Must be a verified sender whose domain is authenticated
`from_name`	string	yes	Max 255, no emojis
`reply_to`	email	yes	Must be verified
`email_id`	int	no	Reuse an existing email, either unattached or already in this automation
`language_id`	int	no	A campaign language ID
`google_analytics`	bool	no	Add UTM tags to links
`track_opens`	bool	no	Include the open-tracking beacon
`preheader`	string	no	Max 998. Rejected for emails whose builder does not support one

Set the email's HTML separately with the automation email content endpoint. An email step without content stops the automation from being enabled.

Delay step

unit decides which other fields apply.

Simple delays: minutes, hours, days, weeks, months. Wait a fixed amount of time.

Field	Type	Required	Notes
`unit`	string	yes	One of the five units above
`value`	int	yes	Min 1. Max per unit: minutes 2880, hours 720, days 730, weeks 104, months 24

Scheduled delays: next, next_weekday, next_monthday, next_date, subscriber_field. Wait until a particular moment. All of them take:

Field	Type	Required	Notes
`hour`	string	yes	`"00"` to `"23"`
`minute`	string	yes	`"00"`, `"15"`, `"30"` or `"45"`
`use_timezone`	string	yes	`account`, `subscriber` or `custom`
`timezone_id`	int	conditional	Needed when `use_timezone` is `custom`

Plus, depending on the unit:

`unit`	Extra fields
`next`	None. Continues at the next occurrence of the given time
`next_weekday`	`week_days`: string[] (required, at least one, `"1"` Monday to `"7"` Sunday)
`next_monthday`	`month_day`: string (required, `"1"` to `"31"` or `"last"`)
`next_date`	`date`: string (required, `YYYY-MM-DD`, must be far enough in the future in the chosen timezone) plus the elapsed-date fields below
`subscriber_field`	`field_id`: int (required, a date custom field) plus the elapsed-date fields below

Elapsed-date fields, for next_date and subscriber_field:

Field	Type	Required	Notes
`action_on_date_elapsed`	string	yes	`stop`, `move_to_next_step` or `move_to_step`
`go_to_step_id`	int	conditional	Required when the action is `move_to_step`. Must be a step in this automation
`go_to_step_type`	string	conditional	Required when the action is `move_to_step`. Must match the target step's type

Condition step

Field	Type	Required	Notes
`conditions`	array	yes	Up to 5 conditions. A step saved without them is incomplete and stops the automation from being enabled
`matching_type`	string	no	`any` to match on one condition, `all` to require them all. Defaults to `any`
`yes_step_id`	int	no	The step to continue to when the condition matches
`no_step_id`	int	no	The step to continue to when it does not

Each entry in conditions has a type plus its own fields:

`type`	Fields
`campaign_activity`	`campaign_id` (required), `action` (required), `link_id` (required for the specific-link actions)
`workflow_activity`	`email_id` (required, an email in this automation), `action` (required), `link_id` (required for the specific-link actions)
`custom_fields`	`field_id` (required, an ID or `"email"`), `action` (required, an operator valid for that field's type), `action_value` (required for operators that compare a value)
`group_membership`	`group_id` (required)
`segment_membership`	`segment_id` (required, the segment must have a filter)

action on the two activity conditions is one of clicked, link_clicked, link_not_clicked, opened, not_opened or opened_not_clicked. The open-based actions are only available on emails that track opens.

A/B test step

Field	Type	Required	Notes
`split_percentages`	array	yes	2 or 3 entries, each `{ label, path, value }`. Paths are `a_path`, `b_path`, `c_path`, must be unique, and the values must add up to 100. A step saved without them is incomplete and stops the automation from being enabled
`name`	string	no	Shown in the builder
`a_path_step_id`	int	no	The first step of the A path
`b_path_step_id`	int	no	The first step of the B path
`c_path_step_id`	int	no	The first step of the C path. Only with three splits
`ab_test_winner`	string	no	`a_path`, `b_path` or `c_path`. Cannot be changed once set

Webhook step

Field	Type	Required	Notes
`url`	string	yes	A valid, publicly reachable URL, max 2048
`secret`	string	yes	5 to 255 characters, used to sign the request
`webhook_id`	int	no	Reuse an existing webhook in the account

Action step

action_type is always required and decides the rest.

`action_type`	Fields
`copy_to_group`	`group_ids`: int[] (required, at least one)
`remove_from_group`	`group_ids`: int[] (required, at least one)
`move_to_group`	`from_group_ids`: int[] (required), `to_group_ids`: int[] (required, no overlap with `from_group_ids`)
`mark_as_unsubscribed`	None
`go_to_step`	`go_to_step_id`: int, `go_to_step_type`: string (required together). Cannot target itself, another `go_to_step`, or a step inside an A/B branch
`update_custom_field`	`field_id`: int (required), `date_operation` (required for date fields: `set_value`, `set_to_current_date`, `increase_by_days`, `decrease_by_days`), `number_operation` (required for number fields: `set_value`, `increase_value`, `decrease_value`), `value` (required unless `date_operation` is `set_to_current_date`)
`send_internal_email_notification`	`from`: email (required, verified), `from_name`: string (required, max 255, no emojis), `reply_to`: email (required, verified), `subject`: string (required, max 255), `message`: string (required, max 500, supports field variables), `recipients`: email[] (required, 1 to 5), `fields`: int[] (up to 20)

Deleting

Deleting a condition or A/B test step takes branch_to_delete or branch_to_keep, which say what happens to the steps below it. Send one or the other, not both.

branch_to_delete: all deletes every branch. A named branch in branch_to_delete means something different for each step type:

Condition: yes or no deletes that branch. The other branch is reattached where the condition was.
A/B test: a_path, b_path or c_path keeps that path. The other paths are deleted, and the kept path is reattached where the A/B test was.

branch_to_keep works the same way for both step types: it names the branch that takes the step's place, yes or no for a condition and a_path, b_path or c_path for an A/B test, and every other branch is deleted. The branch you name must hold at least one step.

A condition with steps in both branches needs one of the two parameters, otherwise the request returns a 422. Without either, a condition with only one branch filled is deleted on its own, and an A/B test step deletes every path.

A step other steps point at cannot be deleted until that reference is gone. That covers the target of a go_to_step action, a step used by a condition, and a step a delay continues from.

List automation steps

Returns every step in an automation's workflow, in order, each with its configuration and the records it references. parent_id and the branch fields on condition and A/B test steps describe how the steps connect.

If you want to get all steps of an automation use this GET request

GET https://connect.mailerlite.com/api/automations/{automation_id}/steps/index

Response

Response code: 200 OK

{
  "data": [
    {
      "id": "203114224673622808",
      "type": "email",
      "parent_id": null,
      "name": "Welcome email",
      "subject": "Welcome to the newsletter, {$name}",
      "from": "dummy@example.com",
      "from_name": "Dummy Testerson",
      "reply_to": "dummy@example.com",
      "email_id": "203114224708224206",
      "email": {
        "id": "203114224708224206",
        "account_id": "1",
        "emailable_id": "203114220633457868",
        "emailable_type": "automations",
        "type": "builder_html",
        "from": "dummy@example.com",
        "from_name": "Dummy Testerson",
        "reply_to": "dummy@example.com",
        "name": "Welcome email",
        "subject": "Welcome to the newsletter, {$name}",
        "plain_text": "Hello,\n\nYou have received a newsletter from {$account}.\n\n...",
        "screenshot_url": null,
        "uses_new_builder": false,
        "uses_landscape_screenshot": true,
        "generate_screenshot_timestamp": "2026-11-03 11:20:56",
        "is_building_content": false,
        "preview_url": "https://preview.mailerlite.io/emails/1234567890/preview",
        "report_preview_url": "https://preview.mailerlite.io/emails/1234567890/preview",
        "created_at": "2026-11-03 11:20:19",
        "updated_at": "2026-11-03 11:20:56",
        "is_designed": true,
        "language_id": null,
        "is_winner": false,
        "stats": {
          "sent": 0,
          "opens_count": 0,
          "open_rate": {
            "float": 0,
            "string": "0%"
          },
          "clicks_count": 0,
          "click_rate": {
            "float": 0,
            "string": "0%"
          },
          "unsubscribes_count": 0,
          "unsubscribe_rate": {
            "float": 0,
            "string": "0%"
          },
          "spam_count": 0,
          "spam_rate": {
            "float": 0,
            "string": "0%"
          },
          "hard_bounces_count": 0,
          "hard_bounce_rate": {
            "float": 0,
            "string": "0%"
          },
          "soft_bounces_count": 0,
          "soft_bounce_rate": {
            "float": 0,
            "string": "0%"
          },
          "deliveries_count": 0,
          "delivery_rate": {
            "float": 0,
            "string": "0%"
          },
          "forwards_count": 0,
          "forward_rate": {
            "float": 0,
            "string": "0%"
          },
          "social_interactions_count": 0,
          "social_interaction_rate": {
            "float": 0,
            "string": "0%"
          },
          "click_to_open_rate": {
            "float": 0,
            "string": "0%"
          }
        },
        "send_after": null,
        "track_opens": true,
        "uses_survey": false,
        "uses_quiz": false,
        "preheader": null
      },
      "language_id": 4,
      "complete": true,
      "created_at": "2026-11-03 11:20:19",
      "updated_at": "2026-11-03 11:20:50",
      "track_opens": true,
      "google_analytics": null,
      "tracking_was_disabled": false,
      "broken": false,
      "has_unsubscribe_url": true,
      "has_good_unsubscribe_contrast": true,
      "has_unlinked_buttons": false,
      "eligible_for_sending": true,
      "preheader": null,
      "builder_type": "builder_html",
      "description": "Send \"Welcome to the newsletter, {$name}\" email",
      "type_count": null
    },
    {
      "id": "203114227995511577",
      "type": "delay",
      "parent_id": "203114224673622808",
      "unit": "days",
      "complete": true,
      "created_at": "2026-11-03 11:20:22",
      "updated_at": "2026-11-03 11:20:22",
      "value": 2,
      "description": "Wait for 2 days",
      "type_count": null
    },
    {
      "id": "203114243556379418",
      "name": "Subject test",
      "type": "abtest",
      "parent_id": "203114227995511577",
      "complete": true,
      "broken": false,
      "a_path_step_id": "203114244338617115",
      "b_path_step_id": "203114245168040732",
      "c_path_step_id": null,
      "ab_test_winner": null,
      "can_select_winner": false,
      "split_percentages": [
        {
          "label": "A",
          "path": "a_path",
          "value": 50
        },
        {
          "label": "B",
          "path": "b_path",
          "value": 50
        }
      ],
      "created_at": "2026-11-03 11:20:37",
      "updated_at": "2026-11-03 11:20:38",
      "description": "Run an A/B split test",
      "type_count": null
    }
  ]
}

Create an automation step

Adds a step to an automation's workflow. type chooses the kind of step and data holds the settings for that type. Use parent_id to place the step after an existing one and branch to pick a side of a condition or A/B test. Omit both to make it the first step, or send append: true to add it after the last step of the main path. meta.warnings in the response lists anything about the new step that needs attention. The automation must be inactive.

If you want to add a step to an automation use this POST request

POST https://connect.mailerlite.com/api/automations/{automation_id}/steps

Request body

Parameter	Type	Required	Limitations
type	string	yes	Must be one of `email`, `delay`, `condition`, `abtest`, `webhook` or `action`. See the step types table above
parent_id	integer	no	Place the new step immediately after this step. Omit it to make the new step the first step in the workflow
append	boolean	no	Place the new step after the last step of the main path, in place of `parent_id`. Cannot be sent with `parent_id`. Rejected when the main path ends in a condition, since either branch could be meant
branch	string	no	Which branch of the parent step the new step belongs to: `yes` or `no` for a condition, `a_path`, `b_path` or `c_path` for an A/B test. Required when the parent is a condition. Omit it to place the step after the parent rather than inside a branch
move_to_branch	string	no	When the parent is a condition and it already has a step in the chosen branch, which branch that existing step is moved to: `yes` or `no`. Defaults to `yes`
data	object	no	The step's configuration. The fields it takes depend on `type`, see the step type tables above. Omit it to create an empty step and configure it later with the update endpoint. When you send it, send the complete payload for the type
data.action_type	string	yes, for `action` steps	Must be one of `copy_to_group`, `remove_from_group`, `move_to_group`, `mark_as_unsubscribed`, `go_to_step`, `update_custom_field` or `send_internal_email_notification`

Request example:

{
  "type": "email",
  "data": {
    "name": "Welcome email",
    "subject": "Welcome to the newsletter, {$name}",
    "from": "dummy@example.com",
    "from_name": "Dummy Testerson",
    "reply_to": "dummy@example.com",
    "track_opens": true
  }
}

A delay step placed after another step:

{
  "type": "delay",
  "parent_id": "203114224673622808",
  "data": {
    "unit": "days",
    "value": 2
  }
}

An A/B test step with two paths:

{
  "type": "abtest",
  "parent_id": "203114227995511577",
  "data": {
    "name": "Subject test",
    "split_percentages": [
      {
        "label": "A",
        "path": "a_path",
        "value": 50
      },
      {
        "label": "B",
        "path": "b_path",
        "value": 50
      }
    ]
  }
}

Response

Response code: 201 Created

{
  "data": {
    "id": "203114224673622808",
    "type": "email",
    "parent_id": null,
    "name": "Welcome email",
    "subject": "Welcome to the newsletter, {$name}",
    "from": "dummy@example.com",
    "from_name": "Dummy Testerson",
    "reply_to": "dummy@example.com",
    "email_id": "203114224708224206",
    "email": {
      "id": "203114224708224206",
      "account_id": "1",
      "emailable_id": "203114220633457868",
      "emailable_type": "automations",
      "type": null,
      "from": "dummy@example.com",
      "from_name": "Dummy Testerson",
      "reply_to": "dummy@example.com",
      "name": "Welcome email",
      "subject": "Welcome to the newsletter, {$name}",
      "plain_text": "Hello,\n\nYou have received a newsletter from {$account}.\n\n...",
      "screenshot_url": null,
      "uses_new_builder": false,
      "uses_landscape_screenshot": true,
      "generate_screenshot_timestamp": null,
      "is_building_content": false,
      "preview_url": "https://preview.mailerlite.io/emails/1234567890/preview",
      "report_preview_url": "https://preview.mailerlite.io/emails/1234567890/preview",
      "created_at": "2026-11-03 11:20:19",
      "updated_at": "2026-11-03 11:20:19",
      "is_designed": false,
      "language_id": null,
      "language": {
        "id": "4",
        "shortcode": "en",
        "iso639": "en-US",
        "name": "English",
        "direction": "ltr"
      },
      "is_winner": false,
      "stats": {
        "sent": 0,
        "opens_count": 0,
        "open_rate": {
          "float": 0,
          "string": "0%"
        },
        "clicks_count": 0,
        "click_rate": {
          "float": 0,
          "string": "0%"
        },
        "unsubscribes_count": 0,
        "unsubscribe_rate": {
          "float": 0,
          "string": "0%"
        },
        "spam_count": 0,
        "spam_rate": {
          "float": 0,
          "string": "0%"
        },
        "hard_bounces_count": 0,
        "hard_bounce_rate": {
          "float": 0,
          "string": "0%"
        },
        "soft_bounces_count": 0,
        "soft_bounce_rate": {
          "float": 0,
          "string": "0%"
        },
        "deliveries_count": 0,
        "delivery_rate": {
          "float": 0,
          "string": "0%"
        },
        "forwards_count": 0,
        "forward_rate": {
          "float": 0,
          "string": "0%"
        },
        "social_interactions_count": 0,
        "social_interaction_rate": {
          "float": 0,
          "string": "0%"
        },
        "click_to_open_rate": {
          "float": 0,
          "string": "0%"
        }
      },
      "send_after": null,
      "track_opens": true,
      "uses_survey": false,
      "uses_quiz": false,
      "preheader": null
    },
    "language_id": 4,
    "complete": false,
    "created_at": "2026-11-03 11:20:19",
    "updated_at": "2026-11-03 11:20:21",
    "track_opens": true,
    "google_analytics": null,
    "tracking_was_disabled": false,
    "broken": false,
    "has_unsubscribe_url": false,
    "has_good_unsubscribe_contrast": true,
    "has_unlinked_buttons": false,
    "eligible_for_sending": true,
    "preheader": null,
    "builder_type": null,
    "description": "Send \"Welcome to the newsletter, {$name}\" email",
    "type_count": null
  },
  "meta": {
    "warnings": []
  }
}

meta.warnings is a list of messages, empty when there is nothing to fix. For example, a delay that is the last step on its path, or an internal notification sent to recipients who are not verified yet.

Get an automation step

Returns a single step with its type, its configuration and the records it references, such as the email or the groups it acts on.

If you want to get a single step use this GET request

GET https://connect.mailerlite.com/api/automations/{automation_id}/steps/{step_id}

Response

Response code: 200 OK

{
  "data": {
    "id": "203114227995511577",
    "type": "delay",
    "parent_id": "203114224673622808",
    "unit": "days",
    "complete": true,
    "created_at": "2026-11-03 11:20:22",
    "updated_at": "2026-11-03 11:20:22",
    "value": 2,
    "description": "Wait for 2 days",
    "type_count": null
  }
}

Update an automation step

Replaces a step's configuration. Send the complete data payload for the step's type. Fields you leave out are cleared, not kept. A step's type cannot be changed, and the automation must be inactive.

If you want to update a step use this PUT request

PUT https://connect.mailerlite.com/api/automations/{automation_id}/steps/{step_id}

Request body

Parameter	Type	Required	Limitations
parent_id	integer	no	Move the step so it comes immediately after this step. Omit it to leave the step where it is
data	object	no	The step's configuration. The fields it takes depend on the step's type, see the step type tables above. Send the complete payload for the type
reschedule_waiting_subscribers	boolean	no	For delay steps, recalculate the wait for subscribers already in this delay using the new settings. Defaults to `false`, which keeps their existing schedule

Request example:

{
  "data": {
    "unit": "days",
    "value": 3
  }
}

Response

Response code: 200 OK

{
  "data": {
    "id": "203114227995511577",
    "type": "delay",
    "parent_id": "203114224673622808",
    "unit": "days",
    "complete": true,
    "created_at": "2026-11-03 11:20:22",
    "updated_at": "2026-11-03 11:21:00",
    "value": 3,
    "description": "Wait for 3 days",
    "type_count": null
  }
}

Delete an automation step

Removes a step from the workflow. Condition and A/B test steps hold branches. Send branch_to_delete or branch_to_keep to say what happens to them, see Deleting. The automation must be inactive. A step that other steps point at cannot be deleted until that reference is removed.

If you want to delete a step use this DELETE request

DELETE https://connect.mailerlite.com/api/automations/{automation_id}/steps/{step_id}

Request parameters

Parameter	Type	Required	Limitations
branch_to_delete	string	no	For condition and A/B test steps. For a condition: `all` deletes both branches, `yes` or `no` deletes that branch and reattaches the other one in its place. For an A/B test: `all` deletes every path, `a_path`, `b_path` or `c_path` keeps that path and deletes the others. Required for a condition with steps in both branches, unless you send `branch_to_keep`
branch_to_keep	string	no	For condition and A/B test steps. The branch that takes the step's place: `yes` or `no` for a condition, `a_path`, `b_path` or `c_path` for an A/B test. Every other branch is deleted. The branch must hold at least one step. Cannot be sent with `branch_to_delete`

Response

Response code: 204 No Content

Duplicate an automation step

Copies a step with its configuration and inserts the copy into the workflow. By default the copy becomes the first step. Pass parent_id to place it after a specific step instead. The automation must be inactive and under its step limit. The response is the whole automation.

If you want to duplicate a step use this POST request

POST https://connect.mailerlite.com/api/automations/{automation_id}/steps/{step_id}/copy

Request body

Parameter	Type	Required	Limitations
parent_id	integer	no	Place the copy immediately after this step. Omit it to make the copy the first step in the workflow
branch	string	no	Which branch of the parent step the copy belongs to: `yes` or `no` for a condition, `a_path`, `b_path` or `c_path` for an A/B test. Required when copying into either, and rejected otherwise
move_to_branch	string	no	When the chosen condition branch already holds a step, which branch that existing step is moved to: `yes` or `no`. Defaults to `yes`

Request example:

{
  "parent_id": "203114450965760805"
}

Response

Response code: 200 OK

{
  "data": {
    "id": "203114449598416102",
    "name": "Steps demo",
    "enabled": false,
    "trigger_data": {
      "track_ecommerce": false,
      "broken_workflow": false,
      "complete_workflow": false,
      "repeatable": false,
      "repeatable_settings": {
        "mode": "wait",
        "value": 1,
        "unit": "day"
      },
      "show_analytics": true,
      "valid": true
    },
    "triggers": [
      {
        "id": "203114450335565031",
        "type": "subscriber_joins_group",
        "group_ids": [
          "203105145192450069"
        ],
        "groups": [
          {
            "id": "203105145192450069",
            "name": "Test",
            "url": "https://connect.mailerlite.com/groups/203105145192450069"
          }
        ],
        "exclude_group_ids": [],
        "excluded_groups": [],
        "broken": false,
        "complete": true,
        "exit_when_no_longer_matches": false
      }
    ],
    "complete": false,
    "broken": false,
    "warnings": [],
    "emails_count": 0,
    "stats": {
      "bounce_rate": {
        "float": 0,
        "string": "0%"
      },
      "click_to_open_rate": {
        "float": 0,
        "string": "0%"
      },
      "sent": 0,
      "opens_count": 0,
      "unique_opens_count": null,
      "open_rate": {
        "float": 0,
        "string": "0%"
      },
      "clicks_count": 0,
      "unique_clicks_count": null,
      "click_rate": {
        "float": 0,
        "string": "0%"
      },
      "unsubscribes_count": 0,
      "unsubscribe_rate": {
        "float": 0,
        "string": "0%"
      },
      "spam_count": 0,
      "spam_rate": {
        "float": 0,
        "string": "0%"
      },
      "hard_bounces_count": 0,
      "hard_bounce_rate": {
        "float": 0,
        "string": "0%"
      },
      "soft_bounces_count": 0,
      "soft_bounce_rate": {
        "float": 0,
        "string": "0%"
      },
      "forward_rate": {
        "float": 0,
        "string": "0%"
      },
      "social_interactions_count": null,
      "social_interaction_rate": {
        "float": 0,
        "string": "0%"
      }
    },
    "created_at": "2026-11-03 11:23:53",
    "has_banned_content": false,
    "qualified_subscribers_count": 0,
    "automation_template_id": null,
    "automation_template_name": null,
    "building_in_progress": false,
    "steps": [
      {
        "id": "203114450965760805",
        "type": "delay",
        "parent_id": null,
        "unit": "hours",
        "complete": true,
        "created_at": "2026-11-03 11:23:55",
        "updated_at": "2026-11-03 11:23:55",
        "value": 1,
        "description": "Wait for 1 hour",
        "type_count": null
      },
      {
        "id": "203114452429572903",
        "type": "delay",
        "parent_id": "203114450965760805",
        "unit": "hours",
        "complete": true,
        "created_at": "2026-11-03 11:23:56",
        "updated_at": "2026-11-03 11:23:56",
        "value": 1,
        "description": "Wait for 1 hour",
        "type_count": null
      },
      {
        "id": "203114451539331878",
        "type": "delay",
        "parent_id": "203114452429572903",
        "unit": "days",
        "complete": true,
        "created_at": "2026-11-03 11:23:55",
        "updated_at": "2026-11-03 11:23:56",
        "value": 1,
        "description": "Wait for 1 day",
        "type_count": null
      }
    ]
  }
}

Move an automation step

Moves a step, with everything below it, to a new position in the workflow. Pass new_parent_step_id to place it after another step, or omit it to make it the first step. Send step_ids instead of dragged_step_id to move a run of consecutive steps together. The automation must be inactive. Moves that would leave the workflow invalid are rejected with a 422. The response is the whole automation.

If you want to move a step use this POST request

POST https://connect.mailerlite.com/api/automations/{automation_id}/steps/reorder

Request body

Parameter	Type	Required	Limitations
dragged_step_id	integer	yes, unless `step_ids` is sent	The step to move. Everything below it moves with it. Cannot be sent with `step_ids`
step_ids	array	no	Up to 50 steps to move together, in place of `dragged_step_id`. They must follow each other in the workflow, each one the child of the step before it, and keep their order. Either all of them move or none does
new_parent_step_id	integer	no	Move the step so it comes immediately after this step. Omit it to make the moved step the first step in the workflow
branch	string	no	Which branch of the new parent the step moves into: `yes` or `no` for a condition, `a_path`, `b_path` or `c_path` for an A/B test. Omit it to place the step after the parent rather than inside a branch
branch_for_child	string	no	When the moved step is a condition and its new position already holds a step, which branch of the condition that existing step goes to: `yes` or `no`. Required in that case, otherwise the move is rejected with a `422`

Request example:

{
  "dragged_step_id": "203114451539331878"
}

Response

Response code: 200 OK

{
  "data": {
    "id": "203114449598416102",
    "name": "Steps demo",
    "enabled": false,
    "trigger_data": {
      "track_ecommerce": false,
      "broken_workflow": false,
      "complete_workflow": false,
      "show_analytics": true,
      "valid": false,
      "repeatable": false,
      "repeatable_settings": {
        "mode": "wait",
        "value": 1,
        "unit": "day"
      }
    },
    "triggers": [],
    "complete": false,
    "broken": false,
    "warnings": [],
    "emails_count": 0,
    "stats": {
      "bounce_rate": {
        "float": 0,
        "string": "0%"
      },
      "click_to_open_rate": {
        "float": 0,
        "string": "0%"
      },
      "sent": 0,
      "opens_count": 0,
      "unique_opens_count": null,
      "open_rate": {
        "float": 0,
        "string": "0%"
      },
      "clicks_count": 0,
      "unique_clicks_count": null,
      "click_rate": {
        "float": 0,
        "string": "0%"
      },
      "unsubscribes_count": 0,
      "unsubscribe_rate": {
        "float": 0,
        "string": "0%"
      },
      "spam_count": 0,
      "spam_rate": {
        "float": 0,
        "string": "0%"
      },
      "hard_bounces_count": 0,
      "hard_bounce_rate": {
        "float": 0,
        "string": "0%"
      },
      "soft_bounces_count": 0,
      "soft_bounce_rate": {
        "float": 0,
        "string": "0%"
      },
      "forward_rate": {
        "float": 0,
        "string": "0%"
      },
      "social_interactions_count": null,
      "social_interaction_rate": {
        "float": 0,
        "string": "0%"
      }
    },
    "created_at": "2026-11-03 11:23:53",
    "has_banned_content": false,
    "automation_template_id": null,
    "automation_template_name": null,
    "building_in_progress": false,
    "steps": [
      {
        "id": "203114452429572903",
        "type": "delay",
        "parent_id": "203114450965760805",
        "unit": "hours",
        "complete": true,
        "created_at": "2026-11-03 11:23:56",
        "updated_at": "2026-11-03 11:23:58",
        "value": 1,
        "description": "Wait for 1 hour",
        "type_count": null
      },
      {
        "id": "203114451539331878",
        "type": "delay",
        "parent_id": null,
        "unit": "days",
        "complete": true,
        "created_at": "2026-11-03 11:23:55",
        "updated_at": "2026-11-03 11:24:10",
        "value": 1,
        "description": "Wait for 1 day",
        "type_count": null
      },
      {
        "id": "203114450965760805",
        "type": "delay",
        "parent_id": "203114451539331878",
        "unit": "hours",
        "complete": true,
        "created_at": "2026-11-03 11:23:55",
        "updated_at": "2026-11-03 11:24:10",
        "value": 1,
        "description": "Wait for 1 hour",
        "type_count": null
      }
    ]
  }
}

Select an A/B test winner

Picks the winning path of an A/B test step. The other paths stop getting subscribers. This works on an active automation. Once set, the winner cannot be changed.

If you want to pick the winner of an A/B test step use this PUT request

PUT https://connect.mailerlite.com/api/automations/{automation_id}/steps/{step_id}/select-ab-test-winner

Request body

Parameter	Type	Required	Limitations
ab_test_winner	string	yes	The winning path: `a_path`, `b_path` or `c_path`. Must be a path the step splits traffic to

Request example:

{
  "ab_test_winner": "a_path"
}

Response

Response code: 200 OK

{
  "data": {
    "step_id": "203114243556379418",
    "name": "Subject test",
    "ab_test_winner": "a_path",
    "parent_id": "203114227995511577",
    "can_select_winner": false,
    "a_path_step_id": "203114244338617115",
    "b_path_step_id": "203114245168040732",
    "c_path_step_id": null,
    "split_percentages": [
      {
        "label": "A",
        "path": "a_path",
        "value": 50
      },
      {
        "label": "B",
        "path": "b_path",
        "value": 50
      }
    ],
    "stats": {
      "a_path": {
        "subscribers": 0,
        "sent": 0,
        "opens": 0,
        "clicks": 0,
        "open_rate": {
          "float": 0,
          "string": "0%"
        },
        "click_rate": {
          "float": 0,
          "string": "0%"
        },
        "click_to_open_rate": {
          "float": 0,
          "string": "0%"
        }
      },
      "b_path": {
        "subscribers": 0,
        "sent": 0,
        "opens": 0,
        "clicks": 0,
        "open_rate": {
          "float": 0,
          "string": "0%"
        },
        "click_rate": {
          "float": 0,
          "string": "0%"
        },
        "click_to_open_rate": {
          "float": 0,
          "string": "0%"
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

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On this page

Placement

Step types

Email step

Delay step

Condition step

A/B test step

Webhook step

Action step

Deleting

List automation steps

Response

Create an automation step

Request body

Response

Get an automation step

Response

Update an automation step

Request body

Response

Delete an automation step

Request parameters

Response

Duplicate an automation step

Request body

Response

Move an automation step

Request body

Response

Select an A/B test winner

Request body

Response