> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.dscout.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.dscout.com/diary-studies/what-are-diary-studies-in-dscout/understanding-manual-and-automatic-diary-missions.md).

# Understanding manual and automatic diary missions

Within Dscout Diary, we offer two mission types: manual and automatic. You can change mission types under the “Activity Availability” section within your mission’s Details tab. Understanding when to use each will help you best put the platform to use.

![](/files/d3587a6c7fc3f41ba196d974e8ef6214d24945bc)

## Manual missions

Manual missions allow you to control when activities become available for scouts to complete.

This type of mission is helpful when you need scouts to complete an activity over a set number of days. It’s also helpful if you are looking to customize later mission activities based on responses to earlier activities; with manual missions, you can add more activities (up to 10) after you've launched.

Activities can be edited until you [publish and open them to scouts](/diary-studies/manage-a-diary-study/how-do-i-open-activities-in-diary-missions.md). Once an activity has been opened, it cannot be edited. If you’re using [due dates](/diary-studies/manage-a-diary-study/activity-due-dates-and-reminders.md), you cannot change a scout’s due date after you’ve opened an activity up for that scout.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note**: Activities must still be opened *sequentially* (i.e. you cannot open Activity 1 and Activity 3 without also opening Activity 2).
{% endhint %}

## Automatic missions

Automatic missions allow scouts to choose how quickly they complete activities in their mission.

As scouts complete the minimum number of required entries for an activity, the next activity will open for them automatically. All you need to worry about is [keeping scouts on track](/diary-studies/manage-a-diary-study.md) with the overall deadline!

This is great for when activities don’t need to be completed over a specific number of days and scouts are able to go at their own pace—they are even able to finish a mission in one sitting, if they want to!

None of your activities or due dates can be edited once you launch the mission to scouts, so make sure you [test your mission](/diary-studies/what-are-diary-studies-in-dscout/test-mode-in-diary-missions.md) before launching!


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://help.dscout.com/diary-studies/what-are-diary-studies-in-dscout/understanding-manual-and-automatic-diary-missions.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.