# Rules overview

In Data Mover Smart, **Rules** are automated instructions that dictate specific actions to be executed on files that arrive in a designated folder of a Virtual File System (VFS). These rules help streamline file-handling processes, improving workflow efficiency by automatically executing predefined actions.

Rules can include a variety of actions, such as adding metadata, converting the file, copying it to a VFS, deleting the file, and executing a script once they are received. 

{% hint style="info" %}
The detailed list of actions is available on the [Actions](/data-mover-smart/rules/actions.md) page. 
{% endhint %}

**Example of use: automatically send invoices to an external system**

Imagine a company receiving invoice files from an internal application. Each time a new invoice file arrives in a specific folder, it must be sent to an external system via SFTP and archived for auditing purposes.

Manually performing these steps would be time‑consuming and error‑prone. You can configure a **rule** to automate the entire process.  

Once the rule is enabled, every time a new invoice is added to the configured folder, the rule is triggered automatically and the file is transferred to the external system without manual intervention.

See the [Example](/data-mover-smart/rules/example.md) for details on how to configure the Rule to cover this scenario. 

### Rules bar

Use the Rules bar to create a new rule, search, and filter existing Rules by status or tags. 

<figure><img src="/files/kspzl1vwl1ayEY0abAI9" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* **New**: creates a new rule.
* **Refresh**: reloads the rule list.
* **Search**: filters rules by name.
* **Enabled filter**: shows all rules or filters by enabled/disabled status.
* **Tag filter**: filters rules based on assigned tags.

### Rules list

The central table displays all existing rules. Each row corresponds to a single rule.

**Columns**

* **Rule**: the rule name. A status indicator shows whether the rule is enabled.
* **Listening folder (VFS)**: the VFS folder monitored by the rule.
* **Next execution**: indicates the trigger type or next scheduled execution (for example, *New file*).
* **Condition attributes**: the number of condition attributes configured for the rule.
* **Actions**: the number of actions executed when the rule is triggered.
* **Tags**: tags assigned to the rule for classification and filtering.
* **Created**: date and time when the rule was created.
* **Last update**: date and time of the most recent modification.

**Options**

* **Information (i) icon**: displays the full rule definition in a read‑only panel.
* **Context menu (three‑dot icon)**: provides rule management actions:
  * **Edit**: opens the rule editor, allowing you to modify the rule configuration.
  * **Clone**: clone the Rule. The Rule can be cloned totally (all options) or partially (only some of them)&#x20;
  * **Listening folder**: opens the VFS folder associated with the rule, allowing you to quickly navigate to the monitored location.
  * **Disable**: disables the rule. A disabled rule remains configured but is not executed.
  * **Delete**: deletes the rule. A confirmation is required before the rule is permanently removed.
  * **Add to template** (optional, requires permission): adds the rule to a **template**, allowing it to be included in predefined Data Mover Smart entities for export, backup, or migration. All dependent entities managed by the Rule will also be included. For example, if a Rule references a VFS path, credential, or link that is not included in the template, the generation procedure will automatically add them. Templates are created and managed in ​ **Settings** → **Import & Export** → **DMS** → [Template](/data-mover-smart/settings/import-and-export/dms.md#template-tab).&#x20;
* **Multiple selection**: multiple rules can be selected using the **checkbox** on the left side of each row. When multiple rules are selected, a **toolbar** appears at the bottom‑right corner of the screen, allowing you to perform **bulk actions** on the selected rules:
  * **Add to template**&#x20;
  * **Delete**&#x20;


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