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

# Message status rule

> Route contacts based on whether they read or reply to a template message.

# Message status rule

Use a **Message status rule** to route contacts based on whether they **Read** or **Replied** to a template message sent earlier in the same Journey.

For example, you can send a follow-up message to contacts who read a template but did not reply.

## Before you start

Add and configure the **Send template** step that you want to evaluate before you add a Message status rule.

You can select only a template used by a **Send template** component earlier in the current Journey.

## Configure the rule

1. Add a **Message status rule** after a **Send template** step.
2. Select the template message to evaluate.
3. Select **Read** or **Replied** as the status to check.
4. Set the waiting time. You can set a period from 1 minute to 30 days.
5. Connect the follow-up steps for both outcomes.

The rule has two paths:

* The matched path runs when the selected status is met during the waiting period.
* The unmatched path runs after the waiting period ends without the selected status being met.

<Frame caption="This example checks whether the selected welcome template is read within three days.">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/lchnan/rmZYWVwRdpR7TJaI/product-assets/english-help-context-2026-09-23/journey-status-rule-context.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=rmZYWVwRdpR7TJaI&q=85&s=4a0815d18bd987b74d590910966ae06c" alt="Message status rule configured to check Read within three days." width="3024" height="1656" data-path="product-assets/english-help-context-2026-09-23/journey-status-rule-context.png" />
</Frame>

## Add a rule from a Send template step

Hover over the connection point after the Send template component, then select the available option for checking whether the message was read or replied to. The Journey adds and connects a new Message status rule.

<Frame caption="Use Read or Replied after the template node to add a connected status rule.">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/lchnan/rmZYWVwRdpR7TJaI/product-assets/english-help-context-2026-09-23/journey-status-shortcut-context-annotated.svg?fit=max&auto=format&n=rmZYWVwRdpR7TJaI&q=85&s=172da678016add4397f5ff0dc70ebc29" alt="Read and Replied shortcuts following a Send templates node." width="3024" height="1656" data-path="product-assets/english-help-context-2026-09-23/journey-status-shortcut-context-annotated.svg" />
</Frame>

## Add a rule manually

When you add a Message status rule manually, select the template message and status in the component settings, then connect it to the appropriate preceding and following steps.

<Frame caption="Select Message status rule from Step Tools, then configure the template and status.">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/lchnan/rmZYWVwRdpR7TJaI/product-assets/english-help-context-2026-09-23/journey-status-manual-context.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=rmZYWVwRdpR7TJaI&q=85&s=3a7d4bff67edc271011abb954f497759" alt="Manually added Message status rule with its configuration drawer open over the Journey." width="3024" height="1656" data-path="product-assets/english-help-context-2026-09-23/journey-status-manual-context.png" />
</Frame>

<Frame caption="Select the template used by the preceding Send templates step.">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/lchnan/rmZYWVwRdpR7TJaI/product-assets/english-help-context-2026-09-23/journey-status-template-context.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=rmZYWVwRdpR7TJaI&q=85&s=8726717bc4e6558ca331deba9567defc" alt="Template selection in the Message status rule editor." width="3024" height="1656" data-path="product-assets/english-help-context-2026-09-23/journey-status-template-context.png" />
</Frame>

## Next steps

Use the matched and unmatched paths to add a [Send template](/en/documentation/journey/components-and-features-introduction/send-template), [Add tag](/en/documentation/journey/components-and-features-introduction/add-tag), or another follow-up step.


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