# Initial Setup for Event-Based Automation

With this setup, you can connect FlowMate’s automation and integration capabilities directly to your own UI and backend, while FlowMate handles the authentication, orchestration, and infrastructure in the background.

To get started, follow these steps:

#### 1. Embed the Integration Center

Even if you plan to build a fully customized experience with the API, you still need the Integration Center as the entry point for users to connect their accounts.\
FlowMate handles **authentication and credential management** automatically, so your users can securely connect to third-party apps without additional setup.

{% content-ref url="/pages/yxw81E6vdTbwWi7e0bNd" %}
[Embed Integration Center](/flowmate-documentation/integration-center/embed-integration-center.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

#### 2. Use the API to Embed Integrations Natively

Use the FlowMate API to embed integrations directly into your product.\
Through the API, you can list available integrations, create and manage flows, trigger executions, and display integration states or results within your own interface.\
This gives you full control over how integration logic and data appear inside your application.

{% content-ref url="/pages/lMTS737aIeXGdW57esEX" %}
[Implementing Event-Based Automation with the FlowMate API](/flowmate-documentation/event-based-automation-guide/implementing-event-based-automation-with-the-flowmate-api.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

#### 3. Build Templates

Templates define the actual integrations and workflows your users can activate.\
They specify the triggers, actions, and data mappings that power each automation behind the scenes.\
Once a template is published, it becomes available through both the API and the Integration Center.

{% content-ref url="/pages/QOZbCiOiRDFmsnxX5h9X" %}
[How to Create a Template](/flowmate-documentation/templates/how-to-create-a-template.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://flowmate.gitbook.io/flowmate-documentation/event-based-automation-guide/initial-setup-for-event-based-automation.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.