# Understanding automation rules

## What are automation rules?

Automation rules let you set up automatic transfers that run whenever money lands in your Cash account. Instead of manually moving money to each account, your deposits are distributed according to your rules.

- **Automatic distribution**: Money moves to the right accounts without manual transfers
- **Customisable priorities**: Rules run in order from top to bottom
- **Flexible options**: Choose from three rule types to match your savings style

Use automation rules to build consistent savings habits and ensure your money is always working towards your goals.

## How automation rules work

When you add money to Fynbos via EFT or debit order, it first arrives in your Cash account. Your automation rules then distribute that money to your other accounts.

1. Money arrives in your **Cash** account
2. Rules run from top to bottom in the order you set
3. Each rule takes its allocation from the remaining amount
4. Any leftover money stays in **Emergency Savings**

The preview on the *Deposit rules* screen shows exactly how your next deposit will be distributed based on your current rules.

## Rule types

You can create three types of automation rules. Each type works differently based on your savings goals.

### Target rules

Target rules fill an account up to a specific amount. Once the target is reached, the rule stops taking money and passes the remainder to the next rule.

- **Best for**: Emergency Savings, Savings pots, Tax-Free Savings
- **How it works**: Calculates how much is needed to reach the target, then takes only that amount
- **Example**: If your Emergency Savings target is R50,000 and you have R45,000, the rule takes up to R5,000

> **Note**: Target rules require the account to have a target amount set. For Emergency Savings and Savings pots, set your target in the account settings first.

### Amount rules

Amount rules transfer a fixed amount to an account each time money is deposited.

- **Best for**: Regular fixed contributions to any account
- **How it works**: Takes the specified amount (or the remaining deposit, whichever is less)
- **Example**: A rule set to R500 will transfer R500 to the account on each deposit

### Percentage rules

Percentage rules split the remaining deposit across one or more accounts based on percentages you define.

- **Best for**: Proportional investing across multiple accounts
- **How it works**: Calculates the percentage of whatever remains after previous rules have run
- **Example**: A 60/40 split sends 60% to your Tax-Free Savings and 40% to your Investment Account

| Rule type | Accounts supported | When to use |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Target** | Emergency Savings, Savings pots, Tax-Free Savings | Fill an account to a goal amount |
| **Amount** | All accounts | Fixed contribution each deposit |
| **Percentage** | All accounts | Proportional split across accounts |

## Rule order and priority

Rules run from top to bottom. The order matters because each rule takes from what remains after previous rules have run.

**Example with R10,000 deposit:**

1. **Target rule** (Emergency Savings, target R5,000 remaining): Takes R5,000
2. **Amount rule** (Savings Pot, R1,000): Takes R1,000
3. **Percentage rule** (Tax-Free Savings 50%, Investment Account 50%): Splits remaining R4,000

To change the order:

1. Navigate to the *Deposit rules* screen
2. Tap and hold any rule
3. Drag it to the new position
4. Release to save the new order

## Creating your first rule

Setting up automation rules takes just a few taps.

1. Tap **Automation** on your home screen
2. Tap **Add rule**
3. Select the rule type: **Reach a target**, **By amount**, or **Split by percentage**
4. Choose the destination account
5. For amount or percentage rules, enter the value
6. Tap **Confirm**

Your new rule appears at the bottom of the list. Drag it to reposition if needed.

## Blocked rules

Sometimes a rule cannot run. Blocked rules appear with a warning icon and are skipped during distribution.

**Common reasons a rule is blocked:**

- **No target set**: Target rules need the account to have a target amount configured
- **Account not ready**: The destination account requires setup (like setting a strategy for Tax-Free Savings)
- **Duplicate target**: You have two target rules for the same account
- **Unreachable**: A 100% percentage rule above this rule means no money reaches it

To fix a blocked rule, tap on it to see the reason and follow the instructions to resolve the issue.

## Previewing your distribution

The preview card shows how your next deposit will be distributed based on your debit order amount or a sample deposit.

1. Navigate to the *Deposit rules* screen
2. View the **Preview** card on the right side of the screen
3. See the breakdown of how money will flow to each account

The preview updates automatically when you add, remove, or reorder rules.