> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.unifygtm.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Sequence step types

> Choose email and task steps for your outreach.

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## Overview

Each sequence step sends an email or creates a task for a rep. Combine step types
to match the follow-up you want: an automatic introduction, a phone call, and an
email that the rep reviews before sending.

| Step type | What happens | Use it when |
| - | - | - |
| [Automatic email](#automatic-email) | Unify sends the prepared email. | The message is ready to send without individual review. |
| [Manual email](#manual-email) | A rep receives a task to review and send an email. | The message needs a final edit or a rep's judgment. |
| [Phone call](#phone-call) | A rep receives a task to call the person. | You want a conversation as part of the follow-up. |
| [Action item](#action-item) | A rep receives a task with your instructions. | The next action is research, preparation, or other manual work. |

In the sequence builder, click **+** where you want to add a step, then choose its
type. To change an existing step, select it and click **Change step type**. See
[Create a sequence](/reference/sequences/create-a-sequence) for the full setup
procedure.

## Automatic email

Write the subject and message that Unify should send when a person reaches the
step. Sending follows the sequence's
[send schedule](/reference/sequences/send-schedules) and the mailbox's
sending limits.

Use [template variables](/reference/sequences/personalization/template-variables)
for recipient details and [snippets](/reference/sequences/personalization/snippets)
for reusable copy with fallbacks. Review the personalized preview before
publishing. Missing required values can block the email from sending.

## Manual email

Write a draft for the rep to review, edit, and send from their tasks. Manual email
steps support the same variables, snippets, and thread choices as automatic
emails.

Set the task's priority and due date in the step editor. The assignment summary
shows who receives the task for enrollments from plays and for manual enrollments.

<ThemedImageFrame lightSrc="/images/reference/sequences/manual-email-step-light.png" darkSrc="/images/reference/sequences/manual-email-step-dark.png" alt="A manual email step with task priority, due date, assignment, and a draft reply." />

## Phone call

Add a phone call step when a rep should call the person. Write notes that help
them prepare, such as a question to ask or account details to review, then set
the task's priority and due date.

<ThemedImageFrame lightSrc="/images/reference/sequences/phone-call-step-light.png" darkSrc="/images/reference/sequences/phone-call-step-dark.png" alt="A phone call step with a four-hour due date and notes for the rep." />

## Action item

Use an action item for work such as reviewing an account's CRM history or
preparing a meeting brief. Write the instructions the rep should follow and set
the task's priority and due date.

<ThemedImageFrame lightSrc="/images/reference/sequences/action-item-step-light.png" darkSrc="/images/reference/sequences/action-item-step-dark.png" alt="An action item with instructions to review account history and record a next step." />

## Email threads

The first email starts a new thread. For later automatic or manual emails,
choose **Reply** to continue the preceding email thread or **New thread** to
start another with its own subject. A reply uses the subject of the thread it
continues.

## Task assignment and timing

The sequence's [ruleset](/reference/sequences/rulesets#task-assignment) determines
who receives tasks. Open the sequence's
**Settings** and expand its selected ruleset to review assignment for enrollments
from plays and for manual enrollments. The step editor displays those choices
under **Assign to**.

A task's due date is relative to when it becomes ready. For example, a four-hour
due date gives the rep four hours to complete the task once it is ready. Set a
delay between steps when you want to wait before creating the next task or
sending the next email.

Completing or skipping a task allows an active enrollment to proceed to its
next step.


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