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

# Auto-record the time when a status changes

> Automatically write a timestamp when a record's status changes to a specific value

<Tip>We recommend building automation examples directly in AI chat. Just describe the workflow you want, and AI will handle the full setup for you, including the trigger, actions, script, and configuration.</Tip>

## Build with AI

Open the AI Chat in your table's right sidebar and tell AI what you want. For example, you can say:

*"When a task's status changes to Completed, write the current date and time into the Completed At field"*

AI will create the complete workflow automatically. You can review the generated script, test it with real data, and enable the workflow when ready.

## Manual setup

1. **Create a workflow** with trigger **When Record Matches Conditions**.
2. Select your **Tasks** table.
3. Set the filter: `Status` **is** `Completed`.
4. Click **Test**.
5. **Add an action** → **Update Record**.
6. Map:
   * Record ID → the trigger record's ID (via **+**)
   * Completed At → use an expression or set to the trigger's timestamp
7. Click **Test**, then **enable**.

## Why "When Record Matches Conditions"?

This trigger fires **once** — at the moment the record transitions to matching. If someone later edits the Description (while Status is still "Completed"), the workflow does **not** fire again. This prevents the timestamp from being overwritten.

## Variations

* **"Started At"** — trigger when Status becomes "In Progress".
* **"Escalated At"** — trigger when Priority becomes "Urgent".
* **"Approved At"** — trigger when Approval becomes "Yes".