---
title: "Configure a ruleset for prospecting flows"
slug: "configure-a-ruleset-for-prospecting-flows"
updated: 2026-09-22T14:47:19Z
published: 2026-09-22T14:47:19Z
canonical: "help.gong.io/configure-a-ruleset-for-prospecting-flows"
---

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

# Configure a ruleset for prospecting flows

> **Who can use this**: Business admin
> 
> **Available on**: Gong Engage
> 
> **Required permissions:** Create and manage flow rulesets

In new business prospecting, the moment a contact replies or books a meeting, automated outreach should pause, not continue while a conversation is already in progress. Configure a ruleset that pauses the flow on contact engagement so reps stay in control of follow-up.

## Step 1: Open or create a ruleset

Start with a new ruleset dedicated to prospecting flows, or edit an existing one. Using a dedicated ruleset makes it easier to apply the same settings across all your prospecting flows and update them in one place.

**To open or create a ruleset:**

1. From the left sidebar, click **Assets**, and select **Flow rulesets**.
2. Click **Create ruleset** and enter a name (for example, "Prospecting"), or hover over an existing ruleset and select the more actions![Action Menu.svg](https://cdn.us.document360.io/2837c190-3ec8-4120-9116-6d427e774667/Images/Documentation/MoreActions.svg?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-12T19%3A23%3A48Z&se=2026-10-12T20%3A23%3A48Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=YFsYab9Oknx%2BFocCJ03E3%2BsxNfKZGbKBbvfDFaarENY%3D)icon > **Edit**.

## Step 2: Pause the flow when a contact engages

Configure the ruleset to pause the flow whenever a contact replies to an email or books a meeting. This stops automated steps from firing while a rep follows up.

**To configure reply handling:**

1. Under **Response handling**, set the email reply action to **pause the flow**.
2. (Optional) Select **create a response to-do** so the rep gets a task to follow up when the flow pauses.

**To configure meeting booked handling:**

1. Set the meeting booked action to **pause the flow**.
2. (Optional) Select **create a meeting booked to-do** so the rep gets a follow-up task after the meeting is confirmed.

Learn more about [configuring response handling](/v1/docs/configure-ruleset-rules).

## Step 3: Include an opt-out footer

For cold outreach to prospects, include an opt-out footer in all flow emails. This is a compliance best practice for new business prospecting and may be required depending on your region.

**To enable the opt-out footer:**

1. In the **Outbound emails** section, choose **Display an opt-out footer**.

> [!NOTE]
> Note:
> 
> If your company has a global opt-out setting enabled, the opt-out footer may already be on and cannot be turned off at the ruleset level.

## Step 4: Save and apply to your prospecting flows

The ruleset settings take effect only after you save and apply it to your flows. Apply it now to all flows used for new business prospecting.

**To save and apply:**

1. Click **Save**.
2. Hover over the ruleset and click the **More actions** icon![Action Menu.svg](https://cdn.us.document360.io/2837c190-3ec8-4120-9116-6d427e774667/Images/Documentation/MoreActions.svg?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-12T19%3A23%3A48Z&se=2026-10-12T20%3A23%3A48Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=YFsYab9Oknx%2BFocCJ03E3%2BsxNfKZGbKBbvfDFaarENY%3D), then select **Apply ruleset to flows**.
3. Select your prospecting flows and click **Apply**.

> [!WARNING]
> Important:
> 
> Applying a ruleset to active flows takes effect immediately, including for contacts already in those flows.

## Frequently asked questions

****What happens if a contact replies but the rep doesn't act on the to-do?****

The flow stays paused. Contacts remain in a paused state until the rep acts on the to-do or manually resumes or removes them from the flow. To-dos have an expiry period configured by your admin. After that, the contact may be automatically removed. Learn more about [how flow rulesets work](/v1/docs/about-flow-rulesets).

****Should I use one prospecting ruleset or different ones per flow?****

One ruleset for all prospecting flows makes it easier to update behavior consistently. Use separate rulesets only when specific flows need different settings. For example, one flow may target a region with stricter compliance requirements.

A team member who manages the business entities in Gong, such as deal and forecast boards. [Find my Business admin](/v1/docs/find-your-technical-or-business-admin).

Gong’s AI-driven sales engagement solution that helps sales teams prioritize, personalize, and automate outreach activities to accelerate their pipelines. Access to features depends on your [company’s plan and your assigned seat](/v1/docs/plans-and-seats).