Release pipelines rely on triggers to decide when and how deployments start. These triggers define the delivery cadence and level of automation in your release process.
🔁 Continuous Deployment Trigger
🟢 Fully automated deployment
When enabled, a release is triggered automatically as soon as a new build artifact is produced successfully.
✅ Key Characteristics
- No human intervention
- Immediate promotion of artifacts
- Ideal for fast feedback and high-velocity teams
🎯 Best Used When
- Pipelines are stable and well-tested
- You want rapid, frequent releases
- Environments support automation confidently
⏰ Scheduled Triggers
🔵 Time-based automation
Scheduled triggers start releases at predefined times, independent of when the build completes.
✅ Key Characteristics
- Runs at specific times like 3:00 AM or 12:00 PM
- Supports multiple schedules per day
- Predictable and controlled deployments
🎯 Best Used When
- Deployments must occur during off-peak hours
- Change windows are enforced
- You want batching instead of immediate releases
🖐️ Manual Trigger
🟠 Human or system initiated
Releases start only when explicitly triggered by a user or an external system.
✅ Key Characteristics
- Full control over release timing
- Can be initiated via UI or API
- Suitable for approvals and special cases
🎯 Best Used When
- Production releases require sign-off
- Emergency or hotfix deployments are needed
- External automation tools control releases
📊 Summary at a Glance
| Trigger Type | Automation Level | Control | Typical Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🔁 Continuous | High | Low | Fast, frequent releases |
| ⏰ Scheduled | Medium | Medium | Predictable, timed deployments |
| 🖐️ Manual | Low | High | Controlled or approval-based releases |
🧠 Key Takeaway
✔ Continuous triggers optimize speed
✔ Scheduled triggers optimize predictability
✔ Manual triggers optimize control
A mature delivery pipeline often combines all three to balance velocity, safety, and governance.
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