What is idempotency in automation?

Idempotency in automation means that repeating an operation produces the same result as executing it once:

Why it matters:

Triggers can fire multiple times due to system retries, data syncs, or user actions. Without idempotency, each trigger execution sends another email or performs another action. With idempotency, duplicate triggers do not create duplicate sends.

Implementation approaches:

Unique identifiers: Track event IDs to detect and ignore duplicates. State checking: Before sending, verify "has this recipient already received this message for this event?" Deduplication windows: Ignore identical triggers within a defined time period.

Examples:

An order confirmation sends once per order, even if the order event fires multiple times. A welcome email sends once per signup, regardless of how many times the signup event triggers.

Idempotency is invisible when working correctly. You only notice its absence when customers receive duplicate emails.