# Getting started with AI workflows https://help.circle.so/p/workflows/workflow-setup/getting-started-with-ai-workflows Category: [Workflows](https://help.circle.so/p/workflows) › [Workflow setup](https://help.circle.so/p/workflows/workflow-setup) --- _Last updated: September, 2026_ AI workflows are a powerful upgrade to Circle’s automation engine, allowing your AI agents and built-in AI capabilities to take initiative on their own. ## About AI workflows With AI steps in your workflows, you can automate actions like reporting a post, having your agent leave a comment, or modifying post settings based on filter criteria such as tone, sentiment, or post content. This makes it easier than ever to: - Automate moderation - Improve content quality - Keep your community engaging and welcoming These AI workflows are flexible, always on, and ready to help you run your community with less effort and more impact. ### AI actions and filters An AI workflow combines **AI actions** and **AI filters** with a trigger to decide _when_ and _how_ the AI steps in. **AI actions** AI actions are tasks carried out by an AI agent or by AI running in the background without needing an agent. Examples include: - Agent comments on post - Agent sends direct message - AI reports post **AI filters** AI filters let you define the kind of content you want your workflow to act on using plain language. This means your workflows can target only posts or comments that match your chosen criteria, for example, content with positive or negative sentiment, spammy language, or a specific theme or topic. 📚  For more information on how AI filter and AI actions works and how to set them up, see the guide on [**Setting up AI filters and actions**](/p/workflows/workflow-setup/setting-up-ai-filters-and-actions) **.** ### Common use cases When combined, AI filters and actions unlock powerful, customizable workflows, such as: - **Automatically report harmful posts:** Set up a workflow that triggers when a member publishes a post. Use an AI filter to detect negative or harmful language, and add an AI action to automatically report the post. - **Hide low-quality content from featured areas:** Create a workflow with an AI filter that detects spammy language or excessive promotional content. Set up the post settings action to hide the post from featured areas, preventing it from appearing in the feed or weekly digest. - **Close comments** : Use the AI filter that detects heated comments or off-topic posts with the “Close comments” post setting to prevent new replies while keeping existing ones visible. - **Respond to support-related posts with helpful comments:** Use the AI filter to detect posts where members are asking for help with their accounts. The agent can automatically respond with a helpful comment, offering guidance or next steps without manual intervention. ### Availability AI workflows are available to communities on the Scale and Circle Plus plans. You can create and manage AI Workflows only through the Circle desktop app and web browsers. ### Pricing AI workflow usage is billed using credits. Each time an **AI action** **is performed** , like an agent commenting on a post or AI reporting a comment, it uses one credit. For example, when an agent comments on a post, it counts towards one credit; members responding to the thread will not count towards your credits. > ℹ️ **Note** : AI filters are free to use. Only AI actions consume credits. Your Circle Plus plan includes a monthly credit allowance tailored to your needs. If you exceed your included credits before the month is over, additional usage will be added to your invoice. ### Usage notifications You’ll see an indicator of how many credits you’ve used for the month under the AI actions section of the workflow editor. Circle will also send you an email when you go over a certain threshold, similar to API usage. ## Getting started with AI workflows Creating an AI workflow is similar to setting up any other Circle workflow: 1. Click **Workflows** in the left sidebar, then select **Workflows**. 2. Create a new [automation workflow](/p/workflows/workflow-setup/setting-up-ai-filters-and-actions). 3. Select a trigger, such as **Published a post**. 4. Configure the filter conditions, including the AI filter, by selecting **Filter by audience and content with AI** under the trigger details. 5. Select an AI action, such as **Agent comments on post,** and fine-tune how the agent should respond. 6. Activate the workflow. Once activated, your AI actions will automatically be performed whenever the workflow’s filter conditions are met. ## Frequently asked questions (FAQs) Let’s take a look at some frequently asked questions about AI workflows. ### How will my data be used? Your data is completely secure. It’s **never used by Circle or any LLM provider to train models** , and it's only processed as needed to run your workflow actions. When an AI workflow runs, the way your content is used depends on the type of AI action: - AI actions that generate a response (such as an agent commenting on a post) use a technique called **Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)**. - AI filters and non-generative AI actions (like reporting a comment or editing post settings) do not use RAG. In these cases, the LLM receives the content and instructions on what to look for (e.g., profanity, spam, or specific topics). It evaluates the content and takes action without retrieving or referencing any external knowledge. ### How many AI workflows can I activate? You can create an unlimited number of automation workflows that include AI filters or AI actions. However, your plan still has a **monthly credit limit** for AI actions, and each AI action you run will use credits from that allowance. ### What happens if I exceed my monthly credit limit? If you exceed your monthly credit limit, you will be charged an overage amount per additional credit based on your plan. Please see the pricing section for more information on your plan’s limits. ## Relevant articles - [**Setting up AI filters and actions**](/p/workflows/workflow-setup/setting-up-ai-filters-and-actions) - [**Add filter conditions in workflows**](https://help.circle.so/p/workflows/workflow-setup/add-filter-conditions-in-workflows) - [**Supported workflow triggers, audience rules, and actions**](https://help.circle.so/p/workflows/workflow-setup/workflows-roadmap) - [**Setting up AI agents**](https://help.circle.so/p/administration/ai-agents/create-ai-agents)