> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.lumi-ai.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.lumi-ai.com/~/revisions/YMfC3Bihs20j8mruxyTG/using-lumi/lumi-use-cases/proactive-alerting.md).

# Proactive Alerting

## Monitor Metrics with Alerts

Use Lumi to proactively monitor important business metrics and notify your team when something needs attention.

### When to use alerts

Use alerts when you want Lumi to monitor a recurring question or metric, such as:

* Revenue drops below target
* Inventory falls below a threshold
* On-time shipment rate decreases
* Support backlog exceeds a normal range
* A data quality issue appears
* A metric changes more than expected

### How it works

1. Ask or build the question you want to monitor.
2. Save the result to a Board.
3. Configure the Board card to refresh on a schedule.
4. Add an alert rule to the card.
5. Choose who should be notified.
6. Use Lumi to investigate when the alert fires.

### Example

You want to know when on-time shipment drops below 75%.

First, create an insight that tracks on-time shipment rate. Save it to a Board, configure the Board to refresh regularly, then add an alert to notify the operations team when the rate falls below 75%.

### Why alerts require Boards

Alerts are tied to Board cards because Boards provide the saved, recurring context Lumi needs to monitor an insight over time. Chat is useful for one-time investigation, while Boards are used for ongoing monitoring.

### Next steps

* [Learn how to create a Board](https://docs.lumi-ai.com/product-features/boards#create-board-1)
* [Learn how to configure a Board card](https://docs.lumi-ai.com/product-features/boards/card-configuration-and-utilization)
* [Learn how to add an alert](https://docs.lumi-ai.com/product-features/boards/card-configuration-and-utilization#setting-alerts)
* [Learn how notifications work](https://docs.lumi-ai.com/product-features/notifications)