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

# Heartbeat

> Runner watches your apps in the background and nudges you when something needs your attention.

<Note>
  Heartbeat is in beta. We're actively refining it based on feedback.
</Note>

Automations run on a schedule you set. Heartbeat is different. It runs quietly in the background, checks your connected apps, and taps you on the shoulder when something actually needs your attention.

Think of it as a second pair of eyes on your inbox, calendar, and tasks.

## What Heartbeat does

Heartbeat checks your connected apps on a regular basis and flags things you might miss:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Email" icon={<img src="/images/apps/gmail.svg" alt="Gmail" width="24" height="24" />}>
    **Unanswered sent emails** — *"You emailed Jordan 3 days ago about the contract. Still no reply."*

    **High-priority inbound** — *"Email from your investor with subject 'Term Sheet'. Arrived 2 hours ago."*

    **Active threads** — *"The Q2 planning thread has 6 new replies since you last read it."*
  </Card>

  <Card title="Calendar" icon={<img src="/images/apps/google-calendar.svg" alt="Google Calendar" width="24" height="24" />}>
    **Overlapping meetings** — *"You have two meetings at 2pm tomorrow."*

    **Big meeting prep** — *"Board meeting in 2 hours. Here's what you should review first."*

    **Deep work blocks** — *"You have a 3-hour block free Thursday afternoon."*
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Tasks" icon={<img src="/images/apps/linear.svg" alt="Linear" width="24" height="24" />}>
    **Stale tasks** — *"3 tasks in Linear haven't been touched in over a week."*

    **Approaching deadlines** — *"Sprint ends Friday. 4 issues still open."*
  </Card>

  <Card title="Messages" icon={<img src="/images/apps/slack.svg" alt="Slack" width="24" height="24" />}>
    **Mentions** — *"You were tagged in #engineering 3 times today."*

    **Conversations needing input** — *"Active discussion in #product about the pricing change."*

    **Unread DMs** — *"2 unread Slack DMs that look like they need a reply."*
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## How Heartbeat stays safe

Heartbeat only creates **drafts**. It never sends an email, posts a Slack message, or changes a task on its own. Everything it surfaces is a suggestion. You decide what to act on.

***

## Turn it on

<Steps>
  <Step title="Go to workspace settings">
    Open settings in your Runner workspace.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable Heartbeat">
    Find the **Heartbeat (Beta)** toggle and switch it on.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pick how often it checks">
    Choose a cadence. Anywhere from every 30 minutes to once a day.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Start with once a day to see what kinds of nudges Heartbeat sends. If you like it, bump the frequency up.
</Tip>

***

## Heartbeat vs. automations

|                      | Heartbeat                                     | Automations                                   |
| -------------------- | --------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
| **When it runs**     | On its own, at a cadence you pick             | On a specific schedule you set                |
| **What triggers it** | Runner decides based on what it finds         | You define the exact task                     |
| **What it does**     | Nudges you about things that need attention   | Runs a specific workflow and delivers results |
| **Best for**         | Catching things you didn't think to ask about | Repeatable tasks you know you want done       |

They work well together. Automations handle the predictable stuff. Heartbeat catches everything else.

***

## Give us feedback

We're making Heartbeat better every week. If a nudge was helpful, or if it was noise, let us know at [support@runner.now](mailto:support@runner.now) or in the [Run Club Slack community](/support).

***

## What's next?

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Create an automation" icon="wand-magic-sparkles" href="/workflows/creating-automations">
    Heartbeat catches the unpredictable. Automations handle the routine. Use both.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Tips and tricks" icon="star" href="/tips/tips-and-tricks">
    Quick wins and features you might not have found yet.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>