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Auto Reply Field
The Auto Reply Field lets listing owners write an automatic reply that is sent instantly whenever someone messages their listing through Voxel's direct messages. Think of it as an away-message or instant acknowledgment for businesses — "Thanks for reaching out! We usually respond within a few hours."
Overview
This field type adds a new Auto Reply (VT) option when configuring post fields in Voxel. The post author writes their auto-reply message in the Create Post form. When a visitor sends the listing a direct message, the reply is sent back automatically from the listing — personalized with dynamic tags if desired.
Key Features
- Automatic instant reply to new messages sent to a listing
- Each listing owner writes their own reply message
- Dynamic tags personalize the reply with listing and sender details
- Works with Voxel's native direct messages — no extra setup
- No reply is sent when the field is left empty
Setup Instructions
Step 1: Enable the Field
- Navigate to Voxel Toolkit → Post Fields in your WordPress admin
- Find Auto Reply Field in the list
- Toggle the switch to enable
- Click Save Changes
Step 2: Add Field to Post Type
- Go to Voxel → Post Types
- Select the post type to configure (e.g. Places)
- Navigate to Fields tab
- Click Add Field
- Select Auto Reply (VT)
- Configure field settings
- Save the post type
Step 3: Authors Write Their Reply
On the Create Post form, the author writes their auto-reply message in the field's textarea. Leaving it empty disables the auto-reply for that listing.
Field Configuration
| Setting | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Label | Display name for the field | Auto Reply |
| Key | Unique identifier for the field | auto-reply |
| Description | Help text shown to users | Empty |
| Placeholder | Placeholder text in the textarea | "Enter your auto-reply message..." |
Dynamic Tags
The reply message supports these tags, replaced when the reply is sent:
| Tag | Replaced with |
|---|---|
@listing(title) | The listing's title |
@listing(field:key) | Any field value from the listing (replace key with the field key) |
@sender(name) | The message sender's display name |
@sender(display_name) | Same as above |
Example:
Hi @sender(name), thanks for contacting @listing(title)!
We usually reply within a few hours. You can also call us at @listing(field:phone).How It Works
- A visitor sends a direct message to the listing via Voxel's messages
- The Auto Reply Field on that listing is checked
- If a message is configured, dynamic tags are processed
- The reply is sent back automatically from the listing, appearing in the visitor's inbox like a normal message
Use Cases
Business Away-Message
Restaurants, salons, and service businesses acknowledge inquiries instantly with hours, phone numbers, or booking links.
Expectation Setting
"We respond within 24 hours" keeps prospective customers from bouncing to competitors.
Lead Routing
Point senders to a booking form or phone line for faster service than chat.
After-Hours Coverage
Inquiries sent at night get an immediate, helpful response.
Troubleshooting
Field Not Appearing in Post Type
- Verify the Auto Reply Field is enabled under Voxel Toolkit → Post Fields
- Clear any object caches
- Check that the Voxel theme is active and up to date
Auto-Reply Not Sending
- Confirm the listing actually has a reply message saved (empty = disabled)
- The reply triggers on messages sent to the listing — direct user-to-user messages don't trigger it
- Verify Voxel's direct messages are enabled and working
Dynamic Tags Showing as Plain Text
- Check the exact tag syntax —
@listing(field:phone), not@listing(phone) - Confirm the field key referenced in
@listing(field:key)exists on the post type