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title: "QuickStart Guide for Irrigation Programs"
canonical: "https://farmconnect.docs.rubiconwater.com/space/FCD/2094792705/QuickStart%20Guide%20for%20Irrigation%20Programs"
format: markdown
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> Macro (toc)

Create Irrigation Programs to automate your irrigation schedules. To start creating an irrigation program click the **Irrigations** menu and choose **Irrigation Programs**.

# What Kind of Program Should I Create?

- Create a time-based program if you just need to irrigate specific bays at specific times.
- Create an event-based program if you want more control over the program timing or over your devices.

> ℹ️ **Example**
> ℹ️ 
> ℹ️ For example, an event-based program can react to events such as water level changes.

See [https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FCD/pages/2015625957](https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FCD/pages/2015625957), [https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FCD/pages/2029586419](https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FCD/pages/2029586419), and [https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FCD/pages/2029586433](https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FCD/pages/2029586433) for more details about the different program types.

See [https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FCD/pages/2036957345](https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FCD/pages/2036957345) for more information about the types of actions and events you can use in your time-based or event-based programs.

# Creating the Program

**Step 1**

Start a new program on the Irrigation Programs screen by clicking either **Create New Time-Based Program** or **Create New Event-Based Program**.

**Step 2**

Fill in the program details including when the program will start on the [https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FCD/pages/2064809985](https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FCD/pages/2064809985) panel. 

**Step 3**

Create program steps in the [https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FCD/pages/2064810000](https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FCD/pages/2064810000) panel or by selecting bays or devices on the [https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FCD/pages/2064810015](https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FCD/pages/2064810015). 

**Step 4**

Check your program. You can check and edit the list of steps in the [https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FCD/pages/2064875521](https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FCD/pages/2064875521). You can also see a chart of the steps in the [https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FCD/pages/2064875536](https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FCD/pages/2064875536).

**Step 5**

Synchronize your program by clicking the **Synchronize** button. This means that the program is ready to run at the designated start time. See [https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FCD/pages/2066645114](https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FCD/pages/2066645114) or [https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FCD/pages/2066612281](https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FCD/pages/2066612281). 

# Monitoring or Changing the Program

- See a list of pending or operating programs on the [https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FCD/pages/2066350144](https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FCD/pages/2066350144).
- View the details of a pending or operating event-based programs on the [https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FCD/pages/2029453718](https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FCD/pages/2029453718).

You can also make some changes to pending or operating programs although there are some restrictions on what changes you can make. See [https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FCD/pages/2066612230](https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FCD/pages/2066612230) or [https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FCD/pages/2039742532](https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FCD/pages/2039742532).

# Monitor Water Usage by a Program

- Track and monitor water usage by program or by bay in the water usage screen. See [https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FCD/pages/2029846565](https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FCD/pages/2029846565).

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