# Best way to send a message only when Node-RED has started and running
**URL:** https://discourse.nodered.org/t/best-way-to-send-a-message-only-when-node-red-has-started-and-running/75958
**Category:** General
**Created:** [1 March 2023 17:45 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/best-way-to-send-a-message-only-when-node-red-has-started-and-running/75958 "2023-03-01T17:45:23Z")
**Posts on this page:** 8
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@tree-frog](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/tree-frog)
#### Post date: [1 March 2023 17:45 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/best-way-to-send-a-message-only-when-node-red-has-started-and-running/75958/1 "2023-03-01T17:45:23Z")
What is the best way to detect Node-RED starting, running so I can start a connection to OPC-UA I/O?
Thanks,
---
### Author:  [@GogoVega](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/GogoVega)
#### Post date: [1 March 2023 17:49 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/best-way-to-send-a-message-only-when-node-red-has-started-and-running/75958/2 "2023-03-01T17:49:40Z")
You can use an `inject` node with the **once option** , which will send a single message after 0.1s (configurable).
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### Author:  [@tree-frog](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/tree-frog)
#### Post date: [1 March 2023 18:01 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/best-way-to-send-a-message-only-when-node-red-has-started-and-running/75958/3 "2023-03-01T18:01:26Z")
Sure, Is it that simple?
I guess what I was asking is this the means for a "First Scan" ? Maybe this is it.
I got looking at "Function" and the On Start script. Not sure the purpose of this. The context isn't clear.
Thanks.
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### Author:  [@GogoVega](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/GogoVega)
#### Post date: [1 March 2023 18:19 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/best-way-to-send-a-message-only-when-node-red-has-started-and-running/75958/4 "2023-03-01T18:19:50Z")
You can also use the "On Start" part in which you add this to send a message at startup:
```js
node.send({ payload: "Started" });
```
No `inject` node needed for this option.
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### Author:  [@omrid](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/omrid)
#### Post date: [1 March 2023 18:34 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/best-way-to-send-a-message-only-when-node-red-has-started-and-running/75958/5 "2023-03-01T18:34:39Z")
As far as I know (and would ask to be corrected in case I'm wrong), there is a risk that the sender node sends the on-start message to a node which has not been initialized yet and cannot receive the message.
Since the node initialization sequence goes tab by tab, left to right, I would suggest to place the initiating node as the last-created node on the last (rightmost) tab, and use a link out to send the on-start message to its destination.
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### Author:  [@gerry](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/gerry)
#### Post date: [1 March 2023 19:13 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/best-way-to-send-a-message-only-when-node-red-has-started-and-running/75958/6 "2023-03-01T19:13:00Z")
Or simply wait ten seconds or so after startup to send your message. That's how mine is setup and seems to be reliable.
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### Author:  [@tree-frog](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/tree-frog)
#### Post date: [9 March 2023 23:59 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/best-way-to-send-a-message-only-when-node-red-has-started-and-running/75958/7 "2023-03-09T23:59:25Z")
node.send({ payload: "Started" });
This is what I was looking to do. Thanks!
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### Author:  [@system](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/system)
#### Post date: [9 April 2023 00:58 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/best-way-to-send-a-message-only-when-node-red-has-started-and-running/75958/8 "2023-04-09T00:58:12Z")
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