# Automatic suggestion decisions

> Choose a status when positive or negative votes reach a threshold

Set a suggestion's status automatically when enough members vote. Each vote direction has its own threshold and outcome. Positive votes can deny a suggestion, and negative votes can accept one.

You need an [existing suggestion setup](/docs/suggestions/create-suggestions-channel) and permission to update it. Both automatic rules are disabled by default.

## Configure the rules

1. Open your server in the dashboard and choose **Suggestion setup**.
2. Select the setup, then open **Rules & roles**.
3. Under **Automatic decisions**, enter a **Positive vote threshold** and choose its status.
4. Enter a **Negative vote threshold** and choose its status. Use `0` for either threshold to disable that rule.
5. Set **Quiet period (seconds)**. Use `0` for an immediate decision, or enter how long to wait after the latest vote change. The default is `60` seconds.
6. Read the previews, then choose **Save setup**. Wait for the saved confirmation.

![Automatic decision settings with 50 positive votes set to Denied, 20 negative votes set to Implemented, and a 60-second quiet period](../../../../../static/screenshots/dashboard/suggestion-automatic-decisions.png)

The controls accept whole numbers: up to 100,000 votes per threshold and up to 86,400 seconds (one day) for the quiet period. A threshold of `0` disables a rule; a quiet period of `0` runs a qualifying rule immediately.

Saving applies the rules to existing open suggestions as well as future ones. A suggestion needs a recorded vote change before a rule can run. An existing suggestion whose recorded votes already qualify can resolve after saving if its quiet period has elapsed. The previews describe what you are about to save; editing a field alone does not change the active rules.

## Choose any supported outcome

Both selectors offer **Accepted**, **Denied**, **Implemented**, and **Planned**. The vote direction does not restrict the outcome.

For each example below, disable the unused vote direction by setting its threshold to `0`.

| Votes needed | Status | Quiet period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 50 positive votes | Implemented | `0` seconds |
| 50 positive votes | Denied | `0` seconds |
| 20 negative votes | Accepted | `60` seconds |
| 30 negative votes | Denied | `60` seconds |

You can enable both directions in the same setup. Each counts its own votes: 50 positive votes and 20 negative votes meet a positive threshold of 50, even though the net score is 30. A rule qualifies when its count reaches or exceeds the threshold.

Configure the matching destination channels under **Channels** if you want resolved suggestions reposted in Discord. Automatic decisions use the setup's state labels, colors, history, notifications, and reward roles. Aethor is recorded as the actor. Read [Approve and resolve suggestions](/docs/suggestions/approve-suggestions) for the status workflow.

## Give members time to change their minds

Every added, removed, or switched vote restarts the quiet period, including a vote in the other direction. Aethor checks the latest counts before applying a status. If votes fall below a threshold, that rule no longer qualifies.

For example, with a 60-second quiet period:

- The threshold is reached at 12:00:00.
- Someone changes a vote at 12:00:40.
- The earliest decision is 12:01:40, provided a rule still qualifies and no more votes change.

Delayed decisions are checked every five seconds, so allow a few extra seconds after the quiet period. Waiting decisions survive bot restarts.

## When both rules qualify

If both rules select the same status, Aethor applies it after the quiet period.

If they select different statuses, the suggestion stays **Open** for staff. A later vote change can leave only one rule qualifying, which starts a fresh quiet period. Staff can also [resolve the suggestion manually](/docs/suggestions/approve-suggestions).

## Voting windows, restoration, and review

A voting window stops further votes when it expires. It does not cancel a qualifying automatic decision: Aethor can still apply the status once the quiet period ends.

Deleted and resolved suggestions are excluded. Restoring a suggestion retains its votes, but automatic decisions wait for another vote change before starting a new quiet period.

Automatic decisions apply to published suggestions. The [review queue](/docs/suggestions/review-queue) controls staff approval before publication and has separate settings.

## Verify your setup

Reload the setup and check that the thresholds, statuses, and quiet period match what you saved. In a test channel, have another member vote on a suggestion; authors cannot vote on their own suggestions.

After a rule qualifies and its quiet period ends, check the status in the dashboard. If you configured a destination channel, check the resolved card in Discord too. Turn a rule off by setting its threshold to `0` and saving again.

If a suggestion stays open, check whether the rule is disabled, votes changed recently, both rules qualify for different statuses, or the setup failed to save. If a destination channel is configured, also check that Aethor can access it and post messages there.