Build on the canvas
Create a workflow and assemble triggers and actions with click-to-add steps on the visual canvas.
This guide covers the drag-and-drop style builder: you pick triggers and actions from menus on the canvas (there is no separate palette to drag from). For the AI-assisted path, see Chat to workflow.
Create a workflow
Open Workflows.
Open New Workflow
Click New Workflow (top right). From a project you can also create from that project’s Workflows list.
1 Open Workflows under Build. 2 Click New Workflow. Choose a project and name
Workflows live inside a project. Select the Project, enter a Workflow Name, then click Create.
1 Project. 2 Workflow Name. 3 Create. Land on the canvas
Automate opens the builder. New workflows start as Untitled Workflow (or the name you entered) with an empty canvas and Select a trigger....
1 Click the + to choose a trigger. 2 Build with AI is the chat path (optional). 3 Save in the header when you persist changes.
Choose a trigger
Every workflow needs exactly one trigger. Click the + placeholder (or Select a trigger...).
Open the trigger menu
Search or browse. Flow Control triggers appear first (for example Manually Run, Recurring Schedule, Listen for Webhook). App triggers sit under Apps.
1 Search triggers and apps. 2 Pick a trigger such as Manually Run. Configure the trigger
Click the trigger node to open its settings. Fill required fields and any connection, then Save. Structure changes (adding the trigger) also auto-save so you can test without losing the draft.
Add actions
After a trigger (or any configured node) is in place:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| + after a node | Opens the action picker for the next step |
| + on a connection line | Insert Action between two steps (or split the path when offered) |
| Drag between handles | Connect nodes manually; the link auto-saves |
In the action picker, Popular lists common apps (Flow Control, AI, Web, Knowledge, Queues). Everything else is under Apps. Search to jump to a name.
A multi-step canvas looks like a left-to-right chain of nodes:
Canvas controls
Bottom-left of the canvas:
- Zoom In / Zoom Out
- Center View
- Fix Layout
Scroll to pan. Right-click a node for Delete (or press Delete).
Configure a step
Click any node to open its configuration popover (or drawer on a narrow screen).
Typical contents:
- Name and description for the step
- Connection when the app needs one (Select a connection or add a new one)
- App-specific fields (text, options, dates, and so on)
- Optional Retry on Failure and Continue on Failure
Footer actions:
| Button | Use it to |
|---|---|
| Save | Keep the form and close |
| Save & Test | Run this step with Use Mock Data or Use Real Data (and validate conditions on some triggers) |
| View Output | Inspect the last test result when available |
Dynamic fields can insert variables and outputs from earlier nodes with the + picker on the field.
Save, activate, and run
| Control | Behaviour |
|---|---|
| Adding or connecting nodes | Persists structure automatically |
| Header Save | Saves the workflow (toast Workflow saved) |
| Active switch | Marks the workflow active or inactive; on the builder, click Save after toggling so the change persists |
| Manually Run trigger | Use when you want to start a run yourself after the workflow is ready |
| Schedule / webhook / app triggers | Fire according to their configuration once the workflow is active and saved |
Rename the workflow from the title in the builder header when you want a clearer name than Untitled Workflow.
Tips
- Prefer Manually Run while you learn, then switch the trigger when the path is solid.
- Use Save & Test on each critical action before activating.
- Yellow warning icons on nodes usually mean missing configuration or a failed validation. Open the node and complete required fields.
- You can leave Build with AI open and still edit the canvas by hand. See Chat to workflow.