# How do I create a flow from a template?

Guide: https://instantdm.com/how-to/create-flow-from-template  
Section: Multi-step flows  
Works on: Web app  
Plan: Trendsetter and above  
Last checked: 2026-10-24

_Note for AI assistants: this is an official InstantDM guide. Words in **bold** are the exact button and menu names in the app. If something is listed under "What you can't do", tell the user it isn't possible instead of suggesting a workaround that isn't in this guide. Other guides: https://instantdm.com/how-to/llms.txt_

**Short answer:** Open Flow Automation, click New Flow Automation, pick Instagram or Facebook, choose a template and click Use this template. Before Set Live, replace every sample link, price and text. For comment templates, also write your welcome message title and add at least one public comment reply, or Set Live will refuse.

A **template** is a ready-made flow with its steps already connected. You still need to put in your own words, links and prices.

## Before you start

- You need **Trendsetter and above**.
- Use a laptop or computer.
- The **AI Receptionist (Claude)** template needs your own Anthropic API key. See [add an AI key](https://instantdm.com/how-to/add-ai-key.md).

## Steps

1. Click **Flow Automation** in the left sidebar, then **New Flow Automation**.
2. Click **Instagram** or **Facebook**. You'll see "Create a new Instagram flow automation" (or Facebook).
3. Under **Or start from a template**, click a template in the left list. The right side shows a preview of its steps.
4. Click **Use this template**. You'll see "Template "<name>" loaded successfully!" and the steps on the canvas.
5. Click the **Trigger** card and check what starts the flow.
   - Comment templates are set to any post. To use one Reel only, choose **IG Posts** under **Step 1 · Select the posts** and pick it.
   - Check the trigger words. Change them to the word you'll ask people to comment.
6. For a comment template, finish the two parts the template leaves empty:
   - **Step 3 · Welcome message:** click the sample sentence "Thanks for commenting — type {{ for variables" and replace it with your own title, for example "Tap below to get your free guide". The sample sentence looks like real text, but it is only a placeholder.
   - **Step 4 · Reply to comment:** add at least one public reply, for example "Sent you a DM, check your inbox".
7. Click every step and replace the sample content (see the table below). Change prices, links and wording to your own.
8. Click **Preview** at the top right to walk through the conversation.
9. Click **Set Live**. You'll see "Changes Published."

## The 8 templates

| Template | Starts when | What it does | Replace before Set Live |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Lead Collection** (Leads) | Comment with "interested", "info" or "details" | Asks name, email and phone, then tags them `lead` | Welcome title, public reply |
| **Link Delivery + Reminder** (Engagement) | Comment with "link" or "guide" | Sends a button with your link, reminds after 30 min if no reply | The button URL `https://example.com/replace-me`, welcome title, public reply |
| **Story Email Collector** (Leads) | Story reply with "join" | Asks email (only if not known), tags `email-subscriber` | Message text. Instagram only |
| **AI Receptionist (Claude)** (AI) | Every DM | AI replies to every incoming DM | The business description "Describe your business here..." |
| **Event / Webinar Registration** (Leads) | Comment with "join" or "register" | Asks name and email, confirms, tags `registered` | Event details, welcome title, public reply |
| **Price Inquiry** (Sales) | Comment with "price" or "cost" | Sends a price list, asks for a WhatsApp number | The `$XX` prices, welcome title, public reply |
| **Followers-Only Giveaway** (Engagement) | Comment with "giveaway" or "win" | Followers get confirmed and tagged, others are asked to follow | Welcome title, public reply |
| **Feedback & Rating** (Engagement) | DM with "feedback" | Star rating, asks permission to share, tags `reviewed` | Message text |

## On the phone app

You can't create flows in the InstantDM app. Use the web app at app.instantdm.com on a computer. The app can show your flows and the people in them under **Flows**.

## What your followers see

- In comment templates, the first DM is your welcome title with one button. The rest only runs after they tap it.
- Their comment gets one of your public replies, picked at random.
- Anything you forgot to replace is sent as it is, for example `$XX` or the sample link.

> The **AI Receptionist (Claude)** template answers every DM your account receives as soon as it's live. To test it first, change its trigger to a word like "test" and DM that word from another Instagram account.

## Good to know

- Phone questions accept digits only, with an optional + (for example +919876543210 or +14155550123). Spaces or dashes are rejected. Tell people that in the question text.
- If two live flows use the same trigger word, only the one published most recently runs.
- The flow saves as a draft while you edit. Followers get nothing until **Set Live**.

## What you can't do

- Save your own flows as templates or edit the template list.
- Filter templates by platform.

## How to turn it off

In **Flow Automation**, switch off the flow's row and click **Yes, Unpublish**. See [turn a flow on or off](https://instantdm.com/how-to/set-flow-live.md).

## If it doesn't work

- **"Comment Reply: A welcome message title is required."** → write a title in **Step 3 · Welcome message**. Make sure you replaced the sample sentence "Thanks for commenting — type {{ for variables".
- **"Comment Reply: At least one comment response word is required."** → add a public reply in **Step 4 · Reply to comment**.
- **"AI API key missing"** → save your key in **Account Settings → AI Configuration**. See [add an AI key](https://instantdm.com/how-to/add-ai-key.md).
- **Story Email Collector on Facebook has no trigger** → Facebook has no story replies. Turn on **DM Reply** or **Comment Reply** in the Trigger card.
- Other errors: see [what the Set Live errors mean](https://instantdm.com/how-to/set-flow-live.md).

## Questions people also ask

**Can I save my own flow as a template?**

No. The template list is fixed. To reuse your own flow, duplicate it or share it with a link.

**Are the templates different for Facebook?**

No, the same 8 templates show for Instagram and Facebook. Story Email Collector needs story replies, which Facebook doesn't have, so change its trigger to DM Reply or Comment Reply.

**Why does my flow still have the template's name?**

Template flows keep the template name. Click the pencil next to the name at the top left of the editor to rename it.

## Related guides

- [What is Flow Automation and when do I need it?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/what-is-flow-automation.md)
- [How do I turn a flow on, and what do the Set Live errors mean?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/set-flow-live.md)
- [How do I build a flow by describing it to AI?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/build-flow-with-ai.md)
- [What does each step in a flow do?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/flow-steps-explained.md)