Plugs
A plug is a small automation for one channel. It watches the posts Postra publishes on that channel. When a post reaches the number of likes you choose, the plug acts on it: it reposts the post or adds a reply under it.
You set plugs up once per channel. After that they work in the background on every post Postra publishes there.
Which channels have plugs
| Plug | X | Bluesky | Threads |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auto Repost Posts | Yes | Yes | No |
| Auto plug post | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Other platforms have no plugs. To connect one of these channels, see Channels.
What each plug does
Auto Repost Posts. When the post reaches your number of likes, the channel reposts its own post. It has one field: The amount of likes to trigger the repost.
Auto plug post. When the post reaches your number of likes, Postra publishes your text as a reply under the post, from the same account. It has two fields: the number of likes, and a text box marked Post to plug for the reply. Use it to promote something, such as an offer, under a post that is doing well.
Both plugs act when the post has at least the number of likes you set. Each plug acts once per post.
When plugs check a post
A plug starts when Postra publishes a post on the channel.
- Postra checks the post’s likes 6 hours after it is published.
- If the post has not reached your number yet, Postra checks again after 12 hours and after 18 hours. Then it stops.
Plugs only work on posts Postra publishes after you set them up. They do not check posts published before that, or posts you publish directly on the platform.
Set up a plug
- Click Plugs in the menu on the left. Under Channels, Postra lists your channels that have plugs.
- Click a channel. Its plugs appear as cards, each with a short description.
- On a card, click Set Plug. A window called Auto Plug: followed by the plug’s name opens.
- Type the number of likes as a whole number, for example
20. - For Auto plug post, write your reply in Post to plug. It needs at least 3 characters.
- Click Activate. You see Plugin updated, and the plug is on.
If a value is not accepted, Postra shows Invalid value under the field.
Change or stop a plug
Once a plug is set up, its card shows a switch and Edit Plug.
- Edit Plug opens the same window with your values. Change them and click Activate. Postra uses the new values from the next check, also for posts that are already waiting for one.
- The switch turns the plug off or back on. While it is off, the plug does nothing, also on posts already published. Turn it on again and it works on the posts Postra publishes from then on.
A plug also stops when you disable or delete its channel.
If a channel needs reconnecting
A channel with a red ! on its picture needs reconnecting. When you click it on the Plugs page, Postra shows Please refresh the integration from the calendar. Reconnect it from the channel menu on the calendar, then come back. See Reconnect a channel.
No channels with plugs yet
If none of your channels has plugs, the page says No plugs matching your channels. Click Go to the calendar to add channels and connect an X, Bluesky or Threads channel.
To write and schedule the posts that plugs act on, see Writing a post and Your first post.