> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://80x.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Manual run

> The Manual run trigger (manual) starts a workflow on demand from the workflow editor, with no record or list entry in context.

The **Manual run** trigger (manual) starts a workflow on demand from the workflow editor, with no record or list entry in context. It passes only two things into the run: who started it (the actor) and a timestamp. So any workflow that needs specific data has to fetch it first, using a [Find records](/reference/records/find-records) or [Find list entries](/reference/lists/find-list-entries) block. Reach for it when you want to test a schedule or a webhook-style flow without waiting for the real trigger to fire.

| | |
| - | - |
| **Category** | Trigger (manual) |
| **Credit cost** | Free. Triggers consume no credits. |
| **Engine** | New Workflows engine (June 2026+) |
| **Plan availability** | All plans |
| **Limits** | None documented. |

## Inputs

None.

## Outputs

| Output | Type | Example | Notes |
| - | - | - | - |
| Actor | Actor | Priya Sharma | The workspace member who started the run. |
| Timestamp | Timestamp | `2026-06-11T09:00:00Z` | The moment the run began. |

Reference the actor in a later block as `{{ steps.manual_run.actor }}` and the start time as `{{ steps.manual_run.timestamp }}`.

## Behavior

**Manual run** fires once each time you start it from the editor. Each click produces exactly one run. The trigger carries no record or list entry. As a result, later blocks can only read the actor and the timestamp. They get nothing about a specific company, person, or deal.

The run begins with no working set, that is, no records to act on. So a useful workflow built on this trigger almost always opens with a [Find records](/reference/records/find-records) or [Find list entries](/reference/lists/find-list-entries) block that defines what to operate on. From there the run behaves like any other. Blocks execute in order, and a [Loop](/reference/utilities/loop) block iterates over the records you fetched.

## Gotchas

* **No record reaches the workflow.** **Manual run** passes only the actor and timestamp. A block that expects a record receives nothing, so the run fails. Open the workflow with a [Find records](/reference/records/find-records) block, or switch to a trigger that carries a record.
* **The run cannot act on the record you are viewing.** **Manual run** has no record context, so it never targets the open record. Use [Record command](/reference/triggers/record-command) to add a *Run workflow* button to a record instead.
* **The run cannot act on the list entry you are viewing.** **Manual run** has no list entry context either, so it never targets the open entry. Use [List entry command](/reference/triggers/list-entry-command) to run the workflow from a single entry.

## Examples

### Sweeping records that need attention

Start a maintenance flow by hand to confirm it works before you move it onto a schedule.

| Field | Value |
| - | - |
| Trigger | Manual run |
| First block | Find records (`renewal_date` within 30 days) |
| Then | Loop over the results |
| Loop body | Create task: `Confirm renewal for {{ steps.loop.current_item.name }}` |

Clicking the *Run test* button fetches the matching deals. It then creates one task per deal, so you can verify the logic before swapping in a [Recurring schedule](/reference/triggers/recurring-schedule) trigger.

### Testing a webhook-style flow without an inbound call

Use a manual start to dry-run the processing half of a webhook workflow while you build it.

| Field | Value |
| - | - |
| Trigger | Manual run |
| First block | Find records (`status` is `New`) |
| Then | Update record: set `owner` to Priya Sharma |

Running it on demand confirms the lookup and write behave as expected. You can later replace **Manual run** with a [Webhook received](/reference/triggers/webhook-received) trigger and trust the downstream blocks.

## Source

[Attio Workflows block library](https://attio.com/help/reference/automations/workflows/workflows-block-library). Last reviewed against the Attio Help Center, June 2026.

## See also

* [Record command](/reference/triggers/record-command)
* [List entry command](/reference/triggers/list-entry-command)
* [Recurring schedule](/reference/triggers/recurring-schedule)
* [Choosing the right trigger](/explanation/triggers)
* [Attio Workflows block library](https://attio.com/help/reference/automations/workflows/workflows-block-library)


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