Skip to main content
Question

sequence of file triggered bots each triggering the next

  • October 24, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 19 views
T
Forum|alt.badge.img

I would like to have a manual bot place a file in a location that triggers bot1.

last step of bot1 is to place a file in location to trigger bot2.  

bot2 do same to trigger bot 3.

Would this fail if any of the bots are not completed fully before trigger sees new file and tries to execute?

running on a VM  and trigger location is a shared network drive.

bot version 22.200.34

    1 reply

    Padmakumar
    Premier Pathfinder | Tier 7
    Forum|alt.badge.img+15
    • Padmakumar
    • Premier Pathfinder | Tier 7
    • 1171 replies
    • October 27, 2025

    Hi ​@tony 4786,

     

    Yes, this approach can fail because file triggers often activate as soon as a file appears, even if it’s still being written or locked. On a shared network drive, latency and non-atomic writes increase the risk of Bot2 or Bot3 starting before the previous bot finishes, leading to incomplete or corrupted processing. Old files or overlapping runs can also cause unintended triggers.

    Workaround: Use a sentinel file strategy. Each bot writes its main file completely, then creates a small .ready file in the trigger folder. Configure the next bot to trigger only on *.ready files, and include a stability check (verify the data file size remains unchanged for a few seconds before processing). Clean up both files after processing to avoid re-triggering. Alternatively, consider Automation Anywhere Queues for a more reliable and scalable handoff.

    Padmakumar


    Terms & ConditionsCookie settingsAccessibility statement