Tendrl

Docs / Strand / workflow-editor/connecting-nodes

Connecting Nodes

Learn how to connect nodes to create workflow execution paths.

Basic Connection

  1. Click and drag from a node's output handle (blue)
  2. Drag to another node's input handle (green)
  3. Release to create the connection

Which edge of the node a handle sits on depends on the canvas orientation — the Vertical / Horizontal toggle in the toolbar. The colours do not change.

Connections Are Unconditional

Every edge is always traversed: connections have no condition or relationship type. Data flows from the source node's output to the target node's input.

To branch, filter, or iterate, use a Logic node (its if/else and each/done handles route the flow). See Conditional Logic.

Multiple Connections

One-to-Many

A single node can have multiple output connections:

code

        ┌-> [Node B]
[Node A] |-> [Node C]
        └-> [Node D]

Many-to-One

Multiple nodes can connect to a single input:

code

[Node A] --┐
[Node B] --┼-> [Node C]
[Node D] --┘
Execution Order

When multiple nodes connect to the same target, they execute in parallel. The target node receives events from all sources.

Handles

Each node has handles you drag between:

Execution always follows the edge from the source (output) to the target (input).

The Strand workflow editor with the canvas, toolbar, and the Add Node panel's handle legend The Add Node panel restates the convention: blue is the output you drag from, green the input you drag to.

Editing Connections

  1. Click on an edge (connection line) to select it
  2. The Edge Inspector opens, showing the source and target nodes
  3. Edges carry no settings; the only action is to delete the connection

The Edge Inspector showing the connection's source and target and a Delete Connection button Selecting an edge names its From and To nodes, and repeats the handle-colour convention.

Deleting Connections

  1. Click on the edge to select it
  2. Click "Delete Connection" in the Edge Inspector
  3. Or press Delete key when edge is selected

Tips

Best Practices
  • Use descriptive node labels to make connections clear
  • Keep workflows readable - avoid too many crossing lines
  • Use the Layout button to auto-arrange nodes
  • Test connections by running the workflow
  • Check execution logs to verify connection flow

Common Patterns

Sequential Flow

code

[Start] -> [Process] -> [Transform] -> [End]

Parallel Processing

code

        ┌-> [Process A]
[Start] |-> [Process B]
        └-> [Process C]

Conditional Branching

A Logic node (If/Else mode) routes through its if and else handles:

code

[Logic] --if--> [Path A]
    └--else--> [Path B]

← Back to Strand docs