> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://learn.withessential.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://learn.withessential.com/field-operations/assets/set-or-change-an-asset-groups-automation-automation-setup.md).

# Set or change an asset group's automation (Automation Setup)

You choose how an asset group's recurring service automates from the Automation Setup card on the asset group page. It needs at least one recurring service first: the Edit link appears only once the group has one (until then the card reads "None (No recurring services)"), so add a recurring service on the Recurring Services card if there are none yet.

Then click Edit on Automation Setup and pick the Type: Automated Outreach (Essential automatically sends the recurring service request to the customer by email or text), Custom Task (Essential creates a task for your team instead of contacting the customer, using a Task Description you set), or None (no automation runs).

Save to apply it. The card shows the current Type, and for Custom Task it also shows the Task Description.

> **Where to find it:** On the asset group page, the Automation Setup card (its Edit link), which needs at least one recurring service first

## Related guides

* [Manually trigger or delay an asset group's automation](/field-operations/assets/manually-trigger-or-delay-an-asset-groups-automation.md)
* [Set up recurring services on an asset group](/field-operations/assets/set-up-recurring-services-on-an-asset-group.md)
* [See and browse all your asset groups (the Asset Groups page)](/field-operations/assets/see-and-browse-all-your-asset-groups-the-assets-page.md)
* [Setting up a recurring service in depth: frequency, automation, rounding, and the asset filter](/field-operations/assets/setting-up-a-recurring-service-in-depth-frequency-automation-rounding-and-the-asset-filter.md)
* [Why can't I add more assets? (per-group limits)](/field-operations/assets/why-cant-i-add-more-asset-items-per-group-limits.md)


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters:

```
GET https://learn.withessential.com/field-operations/assets/set-or-change-an-asset-groups-automation-automation-setup.md?ask=<question>&goal=<user_goal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.