Webhooks are mechanisms that allow one application to send real-time data to another whenever an event occurs. In Activepieces, webhooks are supported as both triggers and actions, enabling real-time data exchange between services and making workflows faster and more responsive.
Webhooks are automated messages sent from one app to another when something happens. They are sometimes described as “reverse APIs” because instead of a system needing to constantly request information, a webhook pushes data immediately when an event occurs.
The idea comes from the need for efficiency in application communication. Rather than polling an API repeatedly for updates, webhooks provide instant notifications.
For example, when a payment is processed, a webhook can notify an accounting system instantly instead of waiting for a scheduled sync.
In Activepieces, webhooks can serve as triggers (starting a flow when a webhook is received) or actions (sending a webhook from a flow to another system). This flexibility makes them essential for real-time automation.
Webhooks work through simple HTTP requests. When a specific event occurs in an application, it sends an HTTP POST request to a predefined URL with the relevant data. In Activepieces, the process typically looks like:
This lightweight communication method makes sure workflows are responsive and efficient.
Webhooks are important because they make data exchange immediate and reliable. In a world where real-time responses are expected, webhooks provide a way to connect systems without delays.
The main reasons webhooks matter include:
For Activepieces, webhooks are foundational. They allow users to connect apps that aren’t in the pre-built library, expand integrations, and design workflows that run instantly.
Webhooks are versatile and can be applied in many scenarios. Examples in Activepieces include:
These examples highlight how webhooks provide real-time connectivity across diverse applications.
Webhooks are automated messages sent between systems when an event occurs. They allow real-time data exchange by pushing information instantly to another app or workflow.
APIs typically require one system to request information from another at intervals. Webhooks, by contrast, push data immediately when an event happens, making them faster and more efficient for real-time automation.
Activepieces supports webhooks as both triggers and actions. Users can start flows when data is received from a webhook or send data out to other systems, enabling real-time communication between apps and workflows.
