Trello’s Butler automation transforms manual workflows into efficient, hands-off processes by enabling users to create rules, buttons, and scheduled commands without coding. Whether you’re managing personal tasks or complex team projects, Butler’s no-code automation handles repetitive actions like moving cards, setting due dates, or syncing data across boards. The tool integrates directly into Trello’s interface, accessible via the board menu or automation builder, and supports five core automation types: rules (trigger-based actions), card/board buttons (manual triggers), scheduled commands (time-based actions), and due date commands (deadline-driven automation). Advanced features like custom fields, cross-board syncing, and integrations with apps like Slack and Jira further extend its capabilities.

Key takeaways from the sources:

• Butler automations use a "when this, do that" logic, where triggers (e.g., moving a card, a due date arriving) initiate predefined actions like adding checklists or sending notifications ^[1][3][6].
• The automation builder (accessed via the board menu or lightning button) guides users through creating rules, buttons, and scheduled tasks with a drag-and-drop interface ^[4][10].
• Custom buttons (card or board-level) allow one-click execution of multiple actions, such as assigning members, setting labels, or moving cards ^[1][3][9].
• Cross-board automation enables syncing cards across multiple boards, useful for centralized task management (e.g., copying a master card to four other boards) ^[7][9].
• Scheduled and due date commands automate recurring tasks (e.g., weekly reports) or deadline-based actions (e.g., moving overdue cards to a "Blocked" list) ^[2][6].

Creating Trello Workflow Automation with Butler

Setting Up Rule-Based Automations

Rule-based automations are the foundation of Butler, allowing users to define conditions that trigger specific actions. These rules follow a simple "if X happens, then do Y" structure, where X could be a card moving to a list, a due date changing, or a custom field being updated. To create a rule, open the automation builder from the board menu (or via the lightning bolt icon) and select "Rule" as the automation type ^[4][6]. The builder provides a visual interface to configure triggers and actions without coding.

Key steps and examples for rule-based automations:

• Trigger configuration: Choose from events like "Card moved to list", "Due date set", or "Custom field updated". For example, a rule could trigger when a card enters the "In Progress" list ^[4].
• Example: "When a card is moved to ‘Review’, add the ‘QA Team’ label and set the due date to 3 days from now" ^[5].
• Action setup: Define what happens when the trigger fires. Actions include moving cards, adding members, updating custom fields, or sending Slack notifications ^[1][8].
• Example: "If a card’s ‘Status’ custom field changes to ‘Approved’, move it to the ‘Published’ list and archive all checklist items" ^[8].
• Advanced conditions: Combine multiple triggers using "and"/"or" logic. For instance, a rule could require both a card being in the "Blocked" list and having a "High Priority" label to notify a manager ^[4].
• Cascade actions: Extend automations to affect related cards or checklists. For example, completing a parent card could automatically check off all subtasks in its checklist ^[4].

Sources emphasize that rules are ideal for enforcing workflow consistency, such as ensuring every card in a "Design" list has a due date or automatically assigning tasks to specific team members based on labels ^[2]. The activity log in the automation builder lets users track rule executions and debug issues ^[10].

Designing Card and Board Buttons for Manual Triggers

While rules automate actions based on events, card and board buttons provide manual control over repetitive tasks. These buttons appear directly on cards or in the board header, allowing users to execute multiple actions with a single click. Card buttons are ideal for individual task management (e.g., "Mark as Ready for Review"), while board buttons handle broader workflows (e.g., "Sort All Cards by Due Date") ^[3][6].

Steps to create and use buttons effectively:

• Card buttons: Access the automation builder, select "Card button", and define the button’s label (e.g., "Assign to Me"). Configure actions like adding members, setting labels, or moving the card to another list ^[4].
• Example: A "Start Work" button could simultaneously assign the card to the clicker, add a "In Progress" label, and move it to the "Doing" list ^[9].
• Board buttons: These appear in the board header and perform actions across the entire board. Use cases include bulk archiving completed cards or resetting a weekly sprint board ^[3].
• Example: A "Weekly Reset" button could move all cards from "Done" to "Archive" and clear due dates for the next sprint ^[9].
• Visibility settings: Control who sees the button (e.g., only admins or all members) and whether it appears on specific lists or cards ^[4].
• Button sharing: Buttons can be shared across boards within a workspace, reducing setup time for similar workflows ^[6].

Advanced use cases highlight buttons for cross-functional workflows. For instance, a "Publish Content" card button could update a custom field to "Live", notify the marketing team via Slack, and move the card to a "Published" list—all in one click ^[8]. The command builder in Trello’s interface simplifies button creation by suggesting common actions based on board activity ^[1].

Integrating Scheduled and Due Date Commands

For time-sensitive workflows, scheduled commands and due date automations ensure tasks progress without manual intervention. Scheduled commands run at fixed intervals (e.g., daily, weekly), while due date commands trigger actions relative to a card’s deadline (e.g., "2 days before due") ^[2][6].

Key applications and setup steps:

• Scheduled commands: Use these for recurring tasks like weekly reports or monthly reviews. In the automation builder, select "Scheduled" and set the frequency (e.g., "Every Monday at 9 AM") ^[10].
• Example: "Every Friday at 5 PM, move all cards in ‘This Week’ to ‘Next Week’ and clear their due dates" ^[9].
• Due date commands: Automate reminders or escalations based on deadlines. Triggers include "Due date is set", "Due date is approaching", or "Due date is overdue" ^[2].
• Example: "If a card’s due date is tomorrow, add the ‘Urgent’ label and @mention the assignee in a comment" ^[5].
• Recurring tasks: Combine scheduled commands with card templates to auto-generate tasks. For example, a monthly "Invoice Review" card could be created with predefined checklists and assignees ^[2].
• Time-based workflows: Use due date commands to manage approval pipelines. For instance, if a card isn’t approved within 48 hours of its due date, notify the team lead ^[4].

Sources note that these automations are particularly valuable for deadline-driven teams, such as editorial calendars or Agile sprints. For example, a content team might use due date commands to automatically move drafts to "Overdue" if not published by the deadline, while scheduled commands could generate a weekly content planning card ^[8].