# 4. Steer the conversation with Conditions

Apart from being re-used inside the conversation itself, variables can help the bot steer the conversation in different directions, by using Condition blocks.

<figure><img src="/files/uoxeJhNu5mJESOqRJnMv" alt=""><figcaption><p>What we will build in lesson 4. </p></figcaption></figure>

## Step 8: Check a variable in a Condition block

Our Bee bot now asks if the user is new, then asks the user information.

We would like Bee to give a slightly different answer depending on if the user is new or returning. To do so, we’ll need a **Condition** block that checks a {userType} variable.

<figure><img src="/files/eHGiz2ru8RbHdXue0qgr" alt=""><figcaption><p>The Condition block type.</p></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="success" %}
&#x20;[Condition](https://docs.chatlayer.ai/bot-answers/dialog-state/plugins) blocks enable your bot to redirect the user to another block depending on the conditions of the session variables, following an if-then logic.
{% endhint %}

### Get variables under button clicks

We’ll save a {userType} variable under button click of the **Check user type** block. This variable can have either the value *returning* or *new*.

To save a variable under a button click:

1. Open the **Check user type** block.
2. Under the first **I’m new** button, click on **+ Add a variable** and create the variable *userType.*

<figure><img src="/files/3Hnvl7mlSSEirZRKtEsJ" alt="" width="302"><figcaption><p>Create a variable under a button click.</p></figcaption></figure>

3. Add the value *new*.
4. For the second button, do the same with the value *returning*.

<figure><img src="/files/ToCEK8iTe2ItoKavjeIB" alt=""><figcaption><p>Make your Go-to buttons capture variables.</p></figcaption></figure>

5. **Save** your changes.

Now, when a user clicks on one of these buttons, the system will remember the {userType} variable. Let's utilize this variable within a Condition block.

### Add a Condition block

We aim to create a Condition block that evaluates the {userType} variable and provides a different response based on its value.

To add a Condition block:

1. Open the **Next block** block.
2. Go to its **Settings**.
3. Change its Type to **Condition**.

<figure><img src="/files/ONsicW28araGFlirAjnj" alt=""><figcaption><p>Change a block dialog type from its Settings.</p></figcaption></figure>

4. You’ll get a warning message. Click **Yes, change type**.
5. Under **Bot dialog name**, change the block name to *Route userType*.

<figure><img src="/files/VS9tHBKE3qyBxndt7bXV" alt=""><figcaption><p>Change a block name from its Settings.</p></figcaption></figure>

6. Go back to its configuration, and click on the **+** to add your first condition.
7. Fill in the block as follows, using the **equal case insensitive operator**:
   * If {userType} = new,
     * then Go to **Send email new user**. You can create this new block directly from the text field.
   * Else if {userType} = returning,
     * then Go to **Send email returning user**. You can create this new block directly from the text field.
   * Else:
     * Go to **Error occurred**.

{% hint style="success" %}
The Error occurred block is a [default block](https://docs.chatlayer.ai/bot-answers/dialog-state#default-blocks) triggered when an API integration fails to complete a certain request, or when Chatlayer considers your bot to be blocked in a loop.
{% endhint %}

Your window should look like this:

<figure><img src="/files/O7xEcguCPBDThI9EcT8a" alt=""><figcaption><p>Fill your Condition block with conditions.</p></figcaption></figure>

8. **Save** your changes.

Your canvas looks a bit messy now, and that’s totally normal. Let’s organize it a bit:

### Organize your flow

To re-organize your flow when it looks messy, click on the **Auto-layout** button at the bottom-right corner of your canvas.

<figure><img src="/files/tvd7FvUz1ucg8nGGWHn8" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

What we created should look like this now:

<figure><img src="/files/gOBsnoqpDCWaM7sPehm2" alt=""><figcaption><p>What your canvas should look like at this point.</p></figcaption></figure>

## Lesson 4 recap

Congratulations! In this lesson, you’ve learned how to:

* [ ] Store variables from button clicks.
* [ ] Add a Condition block.
* [ ] Check variables inside a Condition block and steer the conversation accordingly.
* [ ] Organize your canvas by using Auto-layout.

## Coming next

Coming next, we’ll see how to connect your bot to 3rd party providers so that you leverage your bot’s functionalities.

{% content-ref url="/pages/hejRQvvKlH9sxWwhYqF6" %}
[5. Empower your bot with Actions](/start-quickly/leadzy-tutorial/5.-empower-your-bot-with-actions.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

## 💬 Feedback

{% hint style="warning" %}
Your feedback on the tutorial means the world to us! Please, let us know what you think through [this short form.](https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=ropROyGJe0qEl2GddWziDlEYn6XpsIRDjnCtdRk8L21UMFZMMlAzN0tHOTI4UjMxVTgzTVAwTE5aOCQlQCN0PWcu)
{% endhint %}


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