Docs / Strand / workflow-editor/overview

Workflow Editor Overview

The Strand workflow editor is a visual, drag-and-drop interface for building event-driven workflows.

Interface Components

The editor: workflow toolbar across the top, canvas in the middle, node palette on the right.

Canvas

The main workspace where you build your workflow. Nodes are placed here and connected to form your workflow graph.

Toolbar

Located at the top of the editor:

• Back to Flows - Return to the workflows list
• Workflow name with gear icon - Click the gear next to the name to open Workflow Settings (Expose to Contact, tags, allowed sources, etc.)
• Run Workflow - Execute the workflow with a test event
• Save Workflow - Save the current workflow version
• Clear Run Details - Reset the canvas back to a clean state (clears highlighted run output)
• View Runs - Open execution history for this workflow

Node Inspector

Opens on the right side when you select a node. Use it to:

• View and edit node configuration
• See the node ID (for templating references)
• Delete the node
• Update the node label

Selecting a node opens the inspector, including the exact templating expressions for reaching its output.

Edge Inspector

Opens when you select a connection between nodes. It shows the connection's source and target and an explanation of the handle colors (blue = output, green = input). Edges carry no settings of their own, so use it to delete the connection.

The Edge Inspector, open on a selected connection.

Workflow Concepts

Nodes

Nodes are the building blocks of workflows. Each node:

• Receives input events
• Processes them according to its configuration
• Produces output events
• Can have multiple outputs (branching)

Edges

Edges connect nodes and define the execution flow. Edges are always traversed: they have no conditions or relationship types. Data flows from the source node to the target node.

Branching and iteration are done with a Logic node, not with edges:

• Branching: a Logic node in If/Else mode routes to its if or else handle.
• Iteration: a Logic node in Foreach mode fans out over its each handle and aggregates on its done handle.

See Conditional Logic and the Logic Node for details.

Workflow Types

Strand supports two workflow types:

• Triggered (default): Runs when triggered manually, via webhook, or from another workflow (flow.call)
• Scheduled: Runs automatically on a recurring cron schedule. Choose from simple presets (every 5 minutes, hourly, daily, etc.) or use a custom cron expression with timezone support.

You choose the workflow type when creating a workflow. Scheduled workflows show a clock badge in the workflows list and display their next scheduled run time.

Entry Nodes

Nodes with no incoming edges are entry nodes. The workflow starts execution from these nodes.

Terminal Nodes

Nodes with no outgoing edges are terminal nodes. When all paths reach terminal nodes, the workflow completes.

Building a Workflow

Canvas Controls

Located in the top-left of the canvas:

• Rearrange - Automatically arrange nodes on the canvas
• Horizontal/Vertical - Toggle between horizontal and vertical layout directions

Tips

• Use descriptive node labels to make workflows easier to understand
• Test incrementally - build and test workflows step by step
• Use Workflow Variables for reusable non-sensitive configuration values
• Use the Global Vault for sensitive secrets (API tokens, passwords)
• Check execution logs to debug issues

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