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

# Trigger Intent

The *Trigger Intent* feature lets you
manually activate a specific Intent in your Flow using the syntax `cIntent:` followed by the Intent name.
This feature overrides the default Intent mapping process, giving you precise control over the Flow's next steps based on user input, such as a message or button click.

Use the Trigger Intent feature when you need to:

* Skip NLU processing and direct the Flow to a specific Intent.
* Ensure consistent navigation in response to button clicks or system actions.
* Improve the user experience by minimizing errors from misinterpreted user input.

## Key Benefits

* **Precise Flow Control**. Ensures the correct Intent drives the Flow forward.
* **Postback Support**. Triggers a specific Intent smoothly when a user clicks a button with a Postback value.

## Prerequisites

Before using this feature, ensure the following:

1. You set up your Flow with specific Intents for the scenarios you want to trigger.
2. You have a Say, Question, or Optional Question Node in the Flow editor.

## Restrictions

* This feature bypasses full NLU processing, preventing default replies from triggering and automatically setting the Intent score to 1. Don't use this feature for general NLU analysis.

## How to Use

1. In the Flow editor, identify the Intent needed to continue your Flow. For example, `Continue Booking`.
2. In a Say, Question, or Optional Question Node, use the syntax `cIntent:Continue Booking` as a Postback value in [Output Types](/ai/agents/develop/node-reference/basic/say) that support Postbacks.
   Follow these syntax rules:
   * No space should follow the colon, though spaces within the Intent name are allowed. For example, `cIntent:Continue Booking`.
   * *(Optional)* Add a text for Slot parsing after a pipe symbol (`|`). For example, `cIntent:continueBooking|book tomorrow`.

## How to Test

Test the feature in the Interaction Panel:

1. Open the Interaction Panel and enable **Debug Mode**.
2. Test your Flow with the `cIntent:continueBooking` Postback value. The system debug message shows:
   ```text theme={null}
   Intent Match
   Flow: Slots
   Intent: Continue Booking
   Intent score: 1
   ```
3. Test your Flow with the `cIntent:continueBooking|book tomorrow` to verify Slot extraction, for example, `tomorrow`. The system debug message shows:
   ```text theme={null}
   System Slot Match
   Start: February 26, 2025 (2025-02-26T00:00:00+01:00)
   Text: tomorrow
   Slot: DATE
   ```

## More Information

* [Intents](/ai/platform-features/nlu/intents/overview)
* [Slots](/ai/platform-features/nlu/slots/overview)