> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.commenda.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Workflow Builder

> Build automated workflows to orchestrate complex business processes and streamline operations

The Workflow Builder is a powerful visual tool for creating and managing automated workflows that orchestrate your business processes. It enables you to define complex multi-step processes, handle conditional logic, and integrate with external systems.

## What is Workflow Builder?

Workflow Builder allows you to:

* **Design visual workflows** using a drag-and-drop canvas interface
* **Define step types** including human tasks, system operations, and decision gateways
* **Create conditional logic** with exclusive and inclusive branching
* **Orchestrate sub-workflows** for modular, reusable process design
* **Manage versions** with draft, published, and active states

## Key concepts

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Steps" icon="circle-nodes">
    Individual units of work in a workflow, including start/end points, human tasks, system tasks, and gateways.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Transitions" icon="arrow-right">
    Connections between steps that define the flow of execution, optionally with conditions.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Templates" icon="file-lines">
    Reusable workflow definitions that can be versioned and activated.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Executions" icon="play">
    Running instances of workflow templates that track progress and state.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Workflow architecture

```
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                    Workflow Template                        │
│  ┌─────────┐    ┌──────────┐    ┌─────────┐    ┌─────────┐ │
│  │  START  │───▶│  Task 1  │───▶│ Gateway │───▶│   END   │ │
│  └─────────┘    └──────────┘    └────┬────┘    └─────────┘ │
│                                      │                      │
│                                      ▼                      │
│                                ┌──────────┐                 │
│                                │  Task 2  │                 │
│                                └──────────┘                 │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
```

## Step types

| Type                          | Description                                           |
| ----------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- |
| **START**                     | Entry point of the workflow (exactly one required)    |
| **END**                       | Terminal point of the workflow (exactly one required) |
| **HUMAN\_CONFIRM**            | Waits for human confirmation before continuing        |
| **SYS\_SUB\_WORKFLOW**        | Triggers child workflows (single or batch mode)       |
| **GATEWAY\_PARALLEL\_SPLIT**  | Branches into multiple parallel paths                 |
| **GATEWAY\_PARALLEL\_JOIN**   | Waits for all parallel branches to complete           |
| **GATEWAY\_EXCLUSIVE\_SPLIT** | Yes/no decision point (one path taken)                |
| **GATEWAY\_INCLUSIVE\_SPLIT** | Multiple paths based on conditions                    |

## Workflow lifecycle

1. **Create template** - Define a new workflow template with name and description
2. **Add version** - Create a version in draft status
3. **Design workflow** - Use the visual editor to add steps and transitions
4. **Publish version** - Mark the version ready for activation
5. **Activate version** - Set as the active version for new executions
6. **Link triggers** - Connect to service request types or products

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Quickstart" icon="rocket" href="/engine/workflow-builder/quickstart">
    Create your first workflow in minutes
  </Card>

  <Card title="Core concepts" icon="book" href="/engine/workflow-builder/concepts/core-concepts">
    Deep dive into workflow concepts
  </Card>

  <Card title="Step types" icon="shapes" href="/engine/workflow-builder/concepts/step-types">
    Learn about available step types
  </Card>

  <Card title="DSL reference" icon="code" href="/engine/workflow-builder/reference/dsl-types">
    Technical reference for workflow DSL
  </Card>
</CardGroup>