How to Send Emergency Issue Escalation with Pipedream

Workflows > New > HTTP/Webhook Requests

Create new Pipedream workflow

Log into pipedream.com and click the green New button in the top left. Select HTTP/Webhook Requests as your trigger source. This creates an instant webhook URL that Basecamp will call when messages are posted. Copy the webhook URL from the trigger step - you'll need it for Basecamp setup.

1. 1Click the green 'New' button in top left
2. 2Select 'HTTP/Webhook Requests' from the trigger list
3. 3Copy the webhook URL that appears
4. 4Click 'Save and continue'

Basecamp Project > Campfire > Gear Icon > Configure integrations

Connect Basecamp webhook

In your Basecamp project, go to Campfire (the chat section) and click the gear icon. Select Configure integrations and choose Webhook. Paste your Pipedream webhook URL and check the Messages option. This tells Basecamp to POST to Pipedream whenever someone posts a message.

1. 1Open your Basecamp project
2. 2Click on Campfire in the left sidebar
3. 3Click the gear icon in the top right
4. 4Select 'Configure integrations'
5. 5Choose 'Webhook' from the list
6. 6Paste your Pipedream webhook URL
7. 7Check the 'Messages' checkbox
8. 8Click 'Add this webhook'

Basecamp Campfire > Pipedream Workflow

Test the webhook connection

Post a test message in your Basecamp Campfire containing the word 'urgent'. Switch back to Pipedream and refresh your workflow. You should see webhook data appear in the trigger step with message content, author details, and project information. This confirms Basecamp is sending data correctly.

1. 1Go to your Basecamp Campfire
2. 2Type 'This is an urgent test message'
3. 3Press Enter to send
4. 4Switch back to Pipedream
5. 5Refresh your workflow page
6. 6Click on the trigger step

Workflow > + > Code (Node.js)

Add keyword detection step

Click the + button below your trigger to add a new step. Choose Code (Node.js) from the list. This step will check if the message contains emergency keywords like 'urgent', 'critical', 'down', or 'emergency'. Only matching messages will continue to Slack notification.

1. 1Click the + button below the trigger step
2. 2Select 'Code (Node.js)' from the app list
3. 3Name the step 'Check Emergency Keywords'
4. 4Clear the default code in the editor

Code Step > Editor

Configure keyword detection logic

Paste the emergency detection code into your Node.js step. This code extracts the message content, converts it to lowercase, and checks for critical keywords. If found, it passes the data forward with an emergency flag. If not found, it exits early without triggering Slack.

1. 1Paste the keyword detection code
2. 2Click 'Test' to run against your test message
3. 3Verify it detects 'urgent' in your test
4. 4Click 'Save'

Workflow > + > Slack > Send Message to Channel

Connect your Slack account

Click the + button to add another step and select Slack from the apps list. Choose 'Send Message to Channel' as the action. Pipedream will prompt you to connect your Slack workspace. Click Connect and authorize Pipedream to post messages on your behalf.

1. 1Click + to add a new step
2. 2Search for and select 'Slack'
3. 3Choose 'Send Message to Channel'
4. 4Click 'Connect an account'
5. 5Authorize Pipedream in your Slack workspace

Slack Step > Configuration

Configure Slack message details

Select your emergency channel from the Channel dropdown - typically something like #emergencies or #urgent. Set the Username to 'Basecamp Alert' so team members know the source. Configure the message text to include the original message content, author name, and project details from the webhook data.

1. 1Select your emergency channel from the dropdown
2. 2Set Username to 'Basecamp Alert'
3. 3In the Text field, click the + icon
4. 4Select message content from the webhook data
5. 5Add author and project information

Workflow > + > Slack > Send Direct Message

Add direct message backup

Click + to add a final step for critical escalation. Add another Slack action but choose 'Send Direct Message' this time. Configure it to DM your project manager or team lead when emergencies are detected. This ensures someone always gets notified even if they miss the channel notification.

1. 1Add another Slack step
2. 2Choose 'Send Direct Message'
3. 3Use the same Slack connection
4. 4Select your project manager from the User dropdown
5. 5Configure message text with urgency indicator

Workflow > Deploy > Basecamp Test

Test end-to-end workflow

Deploy your workflow by clicking the Deploy button in the top right. Return to Basecamp and post another message containing 'critical issue with client site'. Within 10 seconds, you should see notifications in both your Slack channel and as a direct message. Check that all message details transferred correctly.

1. 1Click the blue 'Deploy' button
2. 2Go back to Basecamp Campfire
3. 3Post 'critical issue with client site down'
4. 4Check your Slack emergency channel
5. 5Verify the direct message was sent

Add this code to your keyword detection step to handle multiple emergency levels and route them to different Slack channels based on severity.

export default defineComponent({
  async run({ steps, $ }) {
    const message = steps.trigger.event.recording?.content || steps.trigger.event.content || '';

export default defineComponent({
  async run({ steps, $ }) {
    const message = steps.trigger.event.recording?.content || steps.trigger.event.content || '';
    const messageText = message.toLowerCase();
    
    // Define emergency levels with keywords and channels
    const emergencyLevels = {
      critical: {
        keywords: ['down', 'offline', 'critical', 'emergency', 'urgent'],
        channel: '#critical-alerts',
        emoji: '🚨'
      },
      high: {
        keywords: ['issue', 'problem', 'help needed', 'asap'],
        channel: '#high-priority',
        emoji: '⚠️'
      }
    };
    
    // Check each level for matches
    for (const [level, config] of Object.entries(emergencyLevels)) {
      const matchedKeywords = config.keywords.filter(keyword => 
        messageText.includes(keyword)
      );
      
      if (matchedKeywords.length > 0) {
        return {
          is_emergency: true,
          level: level,
          matched_keywords: matchedKeywords,
          target_channel: config.channel,
          emoji: config.emoji,
          original_data: steps.trigger.event
        };
      }
    }
    
    // No emergency keywords found
    $.respond('No emergency keywords detected');
    return;
  }
});