# Automate NotebookLM: rules that tag, file, generate > Automate NotebookLM with Kortex rules. A rule starts from a tag, a collection, a new source or a finished Audio Overview, then files, tags and generates. https://www.kortex-notebooklm.com/features/automation-rules 1. [Features](/features) 2. Automation rules Automate # Automation rules Kortex automation rules do work for your Gemini Notebook (formerly NotebookLM) notebooks. A rule is a trigger plus one or more actions. For example, when a notebook gets a tag, move it to a collection and generate an Audio Overview. Rules run in the background while Chrome is open. [Add to Chrome](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/kortex/hdapplggdhndkblofffknpmnnnnbncbn) [Follow the tutorial](/tutorials/how-to-automate-notebooklm-with-rules) [![Automation Rules in the Kortex Workspace: a rule called File thesis notebooks that, when a notebook gets the tag thesis, moves it to a collection and generates audio.](/media/features/automation-rules.webp)](/media/features/automation-rules.webp) An automation rule: a trigger, then actions. ## What are Kortex automation rules? Automation rules let Kortex act when something happens. A rule is a trigger plus one or more actions. For example, when a notebook gets a tag, move it to a collection and generate an Audio Overview. Rules run in the background while Chrome is open. ## What you get - ### Tell it once Name a rule, choose what starts it and what it should do. After that, tagging a notebook is enough. - ### Triggers that match how you work A rule can start from a tag, a collection, a title, a new source from a page, a finished Audio Overview, or a schedule. - ### Real work as actions A rule can move a notebook to a collection, add tags, generate audio or an artifact, add a note, send to a podcast, apply a template, or ask a question and save the answer. - ### Workflows from your AI assistant Over Kortex MCP, an assistant can save a job as a workflow. The Workflows view can then run it on a schedule. ## What is an automation rule? A rule says: when this happens, do these things. You build it in the Kortex Workspace under **Automation**, with **Create Pipeline**. It asks for four things: **Name**, **Trigger**, **Actions** and **Review**. The Review step reads the rule back as a sentence, such as “When a notebook is tagged with #thesis, then move it to Thesis and generate audio overview.” ## Triggers - **Notebook tag added** or **Source tag added** - **Moved to collection** - **Title contains text** - **Domain Router**, when a page’s address contains some text - **Audio is generated**, and **Episode Finishes** - **On a schedule**: **Every hour**, **Every day** or **Every week**, in your local time A trigger can also require a **Minimum Sources** count. ## Actions A rule runs one or more of these, in order: - **Move to collection** - **Add tag** or **Add source tag** - **Generate audio**, with a style and instructions - **Generate artifact** (a briefing, study guide, flashcards, slide deck, infographic or quiz) - **Add note** - **Send to podcast** - **Apply source template** - **Ask and save the answer** - **Run a workflow** ## When do rules run? Rules run in the background whenever Chrome is open. Schedules are checked every 15 minutes. Open **Activity** in the top bar to see what ran. ## Workflows A workflow is a set of steps your AI assistant did and saved by name, over [Kortex MCP](/features/kortex-mcp). The Workflows view lists them. You can schedule one, which makes a rule with a **Run a workflow** action. Only your assistant can make workflows. Related: [Templates](/features/templates), [the podcast feed](/features/podcast-feed). ## How it works Want every step? [Follow the tutorial](/tutorials/how-to-automate-notebooklm-with-rules). 1. ### Open Automation In the Kortex Workspace sidebar, open Automation and click Create Pipeline. 2. ### Name it, then pick a trigger The setup has four steps: Name, Trigger, Actions and Review. Choose what starts the rule. 3. ### Choose the actions Add one or more actions. They run in order. 4. ### Review and switch it on Read the rule's plain-English summary and save it. Leave Chrome open. Each rule has an on and off switch. ## Questions people ask Something we missed? [Ask us](#contact). ### Do rules run when Chrome is closed? No. Pipelines run in the background only while Chrome is open. Schedules are checked every 15 minutes, so a scheduled rule needs Chrome running. ### What can start a rule? These can start a rule: a notebook or source tag added, a move to a collection, a title containing text, a page address matching the Domain Router, an Audio Overview being generated, an episode finishing, or a schedule (every hour, day or week). A trigger can also need a minimum number of sources. ### Can I still do each step by hand? Yes. Every action a rule runs is also a button in the Kortex Workspace. A rule does it for you when its trigger starts. ### Where is a rule switched on or off? On the rule's card in the Automation view. Kortex remembers whether a rule is on or off on the computer where you set it. ### What happened to the older automation types? Smart Sort, Escalator, Podcast Curator and the others were each moved into a pipeline once, named after the old type. Build new ones with Create Pipeline. ### Can I automate NotebookLM with Kortex? Yes. Kortex rules act on your Gemini Notebook (formerly NotebookLM) notebooks. A rule can move a notebook, add a tag, generate audio or an artifact, or send an episode to a podcast. ## Related features The full reference is in the [Kortex docs](/docs/automation-rules). - [Templates Save a notebook, source or note setup once. Use it again anywhere.](/features/templates) - [Podcast feed Turn your Audio Overviews into a private podcast feed for any podcast app that accepts a feed address.](/features/podcast-feed) - [Collections and folders Folders for notebooks, with subfolders, colors and pins. Folders for sources and artifacts too.](/features/collections-and-folders) [All Kortex features](/features) ## Try it on your own notebooks. 100,000+ people use the Kortex extension. Install it and try automation rules on a notebook you already have. [Add to Chrome](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/kortex/hdapplggdhndkblofffknpmnnnnbncbn) 100,000+ users, rated 4.5 on the Chrome Web Store.