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

# Launch a pulse

> Send a pulse now or schedule it to run later.

A new pulse is a draft. Nothing goes to participants until you launch it. Only pulse owners can launch a pulse.

Before you launch, you can send yourself a test. See [Test a pulse](/features/pulse-surveys/test-a-pulse).

## Start the launch

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Launch tab">
    Open the pulse from [Pulse surveys](https://app.gowindmill.com/COMPANY/pulse). A draft pulse opens on the **Launch** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Launch Pulse">
    Select **Launch Pulse**. The **Launch pulse** dialog opens.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose how to launch">
    * **Send now:** Send one run right away and start collecting responses.
    * **Schedule for later:** Set a schedule so the pulse runs automatically.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Send now

The **Send pulse now** setup has three steps:

1. **Choose participants:** Everyone in the pulse's participant list is selected. Clear the check box for anyone you want to leave out of this run. Use **Select all** and **Clear all** for bulk changes.
2. **Choose expiration:** Choose how long participants have to respond. The default is 3 days. Send now requires an expiration.
3. **Review:** Check the expiration and the number of participants. Then select **Send now**.

If a person got a run of this pulse less than 6 hours ago, their row shows **Ran less than 6 hours ago.** You can still select them, but they will get a second request.

The expiration you choose also becomes the pulse's default expiration. Learn more about [expiration and deadlines](/features/pulse-surveys/expiration-and-deadlines).

## Schedule for later

The schedule setup has three steps:

1. **Choose schedule type:** Choose **Recurring schedule**, **Calendar event schedule**, **One-time schedule**, or **New hire anniversary**.
2. **Configure schedule:** Set the dates, times, time zone, and expiration. The default expiration is 1 day.
3. **Review:** Check the next runs and the participants. Then select **Schedule pulse**.

Windy sends each run at its scheduled time. Learn more about each option in [Schedule types](/features/pulse-surveys/scheduling-types).

## What participants receive

When a run starts, Windy sends each participant a direct message in Slack. The pulse also appears in their to-dos in Windmill, where they can open the web form.

Windmill does not send pulse invitations by email. Email is used only for result reports after a run. Learn more about [responding to a pulse](/features/pulse-surveys/respond-to-a-pulse).

## After launch

The pulse page changes to show results. The tabs are **Responses**, **Insights**, **Questions**, **Runs**, **Participants**, and **Settings**.

To run the pulse again, pause it, or change it, see [Manage a pulse](/features/pulse-surveys/manage-a-pulse).