How to set up butler automation on Trello

intermediate 8 min read Updated 2026-03-18

Quick Answer

Butler is Trello's built-in automation tool that helps streamline workflows by creating rules, buttons, and scheduled commands. Access Butler from any board's menu, then create automations using simple if-this-then-that logic to automatically move cards, assign members, and manage due dates.

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Prerequisites

Active Trello account
Board admin or owner permissions
Basic understanding of Trello cards and lists
Trello Premium or higher subscription for advanced automations

Step-by-Step Instructions

Access Butler from your Trello board

Open the Trello board where you want to set up automation. Click the Show menu button in the top-right corner of your board. From the menu sidebar, click on Butler to open the automation panel.

Butler is available on all Trello plans, but advanced features require Premium or higher subscriptions.

Choose your automation type

In the Butler panel, you'll see four automation options:

Rules - Trigger actions automatically when conditions are met
Board Buttons - Create custom buttons for one-click actions
Card Buttons - Add buttons directly to cards
Calendar Command - Schedule recurring actions

Click on the type of automation you want to create.

Start with Rules as they're the most commonly used and powerful automation type.

Create your first rule

Click Create Rule and you'll see the rule builder interface. Start by defining the trigger (when something happens). Click Add Trigger and select from options like:

When a card is added to a list
When a due date is approaching
When a member is added to a card
When a card is moved

Choose the trigger that matches your workflow needs.

Think about repetitive tasks you do manually - these are perfect candidates for automation triggers.

Set up the trigger conditions

After selecting your trigger, specify the conditions. For example, if you chose "when a card is added to a list", select which specific list from the dropdown menu. You can also add multiple conditions by clicking Add Condition to make your rule more specific, such as only cards with certain labels or assigned members.

Be specific with conditions to avoid unwanted automations - test with broad conditions first, then refine.

Define the action

Click Add Action to specify what should happen when your trigger conditions are met. Popular actions include:

Move the card to another list
Add or remove labels
Assign members to the card
Set or change due dates
Add comments or checklists

Configure the action details, such as which list to move cards to or which labels to apply.

You can add multiple actions to a single rule - Butler will execute them in order.

Name and save your rule

Give your rule a descriptive name in the Rule Name field, such as "Auto-assign new feature requests" or "Move completed cards to Done". Review your rule configuration to ensure the trigger and actions are correct. Click Save to activate the rule on your board.

Use clear, descriptive names for your rules so team members can understand what each automation does.

Test and monitor your automation

Create a test scenario to verify your rule works correctly. For example, if your rule moves cards when they're labeled as "Complete", add that label to a test card and confirm it moves to the expected list. Monitor the Butler Log (accessible from the Butler menu) to see when rules trigger and troubleshoot any issues.

Always test automations with dummy cards before applying them to important work items.

Manage and refine your automations

Return to the Butler panel anytime to view, edit, or disable your rules. Click the gear icon next to any rule to modify it, or use the toggle switch to temporarily disable rules without deleting them. Review the Butler usage statistics to ensure you're within your plan's automation limits.

Regularly review your automations - remove unused rules and update existing ones as your workflow evolves.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Butler rule isn't triggering

Check that the rule is enabled (toggle switch is on) and verify your trigger conditions are being met exactly. Review the Butler Log to see if the rule attempted to run but failed due to permissions or missing elements.

Automation limit exceeded message

You've reached your plan's monthly automation limit. Upgrade to a higher Trello plan, disable unused rules, or wait until next month when limits reset. Check Butler Settings to see your current usage.

Rule actions not working properly

Ensure you have proper permissions for the actions (admin rights for board changes). Verify that target lists, labels, or members referenced in actions still exist and haven't been renamed or deleted.

Butler menu not appearing

Butler requires board admin or owner permissions. If you don't see the Butler option in the board menu, ask the board owner to grant you admin access or have them set up the automations for you.

Prices mentioned in this guide are pulled from current plan data and may change. Always verify on the official Trello website before purchasing.

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