Switch a trail on and off
What a trail needs before you can switch it on, pausing it, what Needs attention means, and what a plan change does to it.
By Operelio team · Updated October 31, 2026
On this page8
Put it live, then switch it on
These are two different buttons. Put it live makes the sandbox the live trail, as a new version. Switch on starts the live trail on the files that arrive.
Switch on runs the live version. A change still on the Sandbox tab does not run until you put it live, and you can put a change live while the trail is on.
On a trail Bridgeant built that has been live, a change goes live only after a test of it passes. Test it from the change in Bridgeant or with a Test run on the Sandbox tab. A dry run doesn't count, and nor does a test where a check such as the AI review couldn't run. An edit after the test, or connecting a different CRM account, needs a new test. If the change routes leads to a new owner, that owner must be an active user in your CRM.
Only an admin can switch a trail on or pause it.
| Where | Buttons |
|---|---|
| The canvas, on the Live tab | Switch on and Switch off |
| The trail's page | Switch on and Switch off |
| The Trails list | Switch on and Switch off |
What a trail needs first
A trail cannot be switched on until it has all of these, and it cannot be put live until it has the first six. On the Sandbox tab, Put it live stays grayed out and the banner says what is missing. On the Live tab, Switch on stays grayed out and its tooltip says why. Anywhere else, switching it on is refused with the reason. A schedule your plan no longer allows is only caught when you press Switch on.
A folder to watch
Pick one on the trigger tile. A trail with no folder can be built and tested, but nothing can arrive.
A CRM to push to
Add one at the open end of the chain.
A mapping that fits
A trail can run without a saved mapping. If it has one, the mapping has to still exist, be made for the CRM the trail pushes to, and match the record type it pushes. A mapping made for a custom format cannot be used.
A reviewed formatter
An admin opens the formatter tile on the Sandbox tab and clicks Confirm this is what we send. Swapping the mapping, changing the CRM or the record type, or reconnecting the CRM asks for this again.
A finished Scorecard
On a trail with a Scorecard, every rule needs its column, and a job title rule its words. A template's rule waits for its column until the first file shows the columns: pick it on the Scorecard.
A deal pipeline, for a trail that makes deals
Open the push tile, turn Deal on (Opportunity on Salesforce) and pick its pipeline and stage. The CRM has to be connected to pick one.
A schedule your plan allows
If the saved schedule no longer fits your plan, set it again.
When your plan's limit of live trails is reached, pause one before you switch another on. On Agency, that limit counts across all your workspaces, and a client workspace can also have its own lower limit. Single leads need one more thing: until What gets created is saved on the push tile, they wait in Operelio. A trail Bridgeant built also has to finish the setup checklist on its page, including a test that passes, and a trail that has never been live can't be switched on while draft changes wait.
How many can be on
Switching a trail on starts at Starter.
| Free | Starter | Pro | Agency | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trails switched on | No | 2 at a time | 10 at a time | 25 at a time, shared across your workspaces |
Pausing a trail
A switched off trail stops picking up new files. New files wait in the folder, and a scheduled run does not happen.
A run that has already started carries on, and a push waiting for your approval stays waiting.
When you switch it back on and files are waiting in the folder, it asks whether they go through. The When a trail runs guide has the details.
Needs attention
A trail stops itself, is marked Stopped and is counted under Needs attention when something about the trail has to change before it can run again. That happens when:
The trail itself has a problem
For example, a lost CRM connection, a missing mapping, or running out of verify credits. It stops the trail the first time.
The same problem happens twice
The same failure at the same step on two runs, with no clean run in between.
Its schedule cannot be read
Set the schedule again.
What it formats for changed
The mapping was swapped, the CRM or the record type changed while the trail was on, or the CRM was reconnected to a different account. Check what it will send and confirm it again.
Getting it running again
The people who hear about the trail get an email with the reason and a button to open the trail, unless that notice is switched off for it. New files wait in the folder meanwhile.
Fix the cause, then switch the trail on again.
When your plan changes
If your plan stops including live trails, Operelio pauses each one at its next check and emails the people who hear about it, unless that notice is switched off for the trail. Files wait in the folder. Switch it back on once your plan includes live trails again.
Moving to a plan that allows fewer live trails pauses nothing. You cannot switch another one on until you are under the new limit.
Related
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to put a trail live before switching it on?
Only if it has never been live. A trail that has never been live can't be switched on while draft changes are waiting, so put them live or discard them first. A trail that has been live switches on with its live version, and the draft keeps waiting. Put it live first if the change you want is still on the Sandbox tab.
Can a member switch a trail on?
No. Only an admin can switch a trail on, pause it or change it. Anyone in the workspace can approve or discard a push that is waiting.
What happens to files that arrive while a trail is switched off?
They wait in the folder. When you switch the trail back on, it asks whether they go through.
Ready to get started?
Upload a file and run your first transformation. Free, no credit card required.