Smart Flows Advanced Builder
The Advanced Visual Builder (/smart-flows/builder) is for complex automations: branches, delays, drip sequences, HTTP calls, and AI Employee nodes. Use Create a Smart Flow (recipe) for simple trigger-and-action flows first.
Video
Who can do this
Admin or users with Smart Flows edit permission.
Before you begin
- Flow diagram on paper (trigger → branches → actions)
- Integrations for communication nodes
- For AI nodes: Knowledge Hub and AI Employee configured
- Save early—Executions requires a saved workflow
What you'll accomplish
- A visual workflow with connected nodes on the canvas
- Saved flow editable in Recipe via Edit in Recipe
- Testable executions at
/smart-flows/executions/:workflowId
Open the builder
- Sidebar → Smart Flows → Advanced Builder (
/smart-flows/builder) for a new flow. - Or from dashboard workflow menu → Advanced builder.
- Or from Recipe → Open in advanced visual builder →.
Header labels:
- Editable name (placeholder New Smart Flow)
- Advanced Visual Builder
- Save / Saving...
- Edit in Recipe (saved flows only)
- Executions (saved flows)
Add Steps panel (node library)
Left panel: Add Steps — Click to add nodes to your workflow
Search nodes... filters the library.
Top-level categories
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Add trigger | Starts the workflow |
| AI Employee | Autonomous agent steps |
| 3rd Party Apps | External app actions |
| Data Transformation | Format text, numbers, dates |
| Flow Control | Branch, merge, loop, delay |
| CRM | Contacts, tasks, deals |
| Human in the Loop | Approvals, manual input |
| Communication | Email, SMS, WhatsApp, voice |
| Core | HTTP, custom code |
Nodes may show badges Beta or Certified.
Trigger types (Advanced)
Six canonical triggers: manual, CRM event, scheduled, webhook, workflow, chat message, communications.
Common action nodes
Communication: send_email, send_sms, send_whatsapp, make_phone_call, live_chat_message
CRM: create_contact, update_contact, find_contact, tag_contact, create_task
Flow control: condition_field, condition_expression, delay_fixed, delay_until, delay_business_hours, split, go_to, end_node, drip
AI: conversational_whatsapp, conversational_email, conversational_call, conversation_ai, workflow_ai
Core: custom_code, HTTP request nodes
Submenu headers include Conditions, Delays, Contact Management, Email, SMS, WhatsApp, Voice.
Build on the canvas
- Click a node in Add Steps to place it on the canvas.
- Connect nodes by dragging edges between output and input handles.
- Double-click a node to configure properties in the side panel.
- Add canvas notes when prompted: Enter a note for this node:
Typical patterns:
| Pattern | Nodes |
|---|---|
| Simple outbound | Trigger → send_whatsapp → end_node |
| Qualified lead branch | Trigger → condition_field → (yes) create_task / (no) send_email |
| Drip nurture | Trigger → drip → series of delays + emails |
| AI handoff | Trigger → conversational_whatsapp → human in the loop |
Configure nodes
Each node opens a property form. Examples:
- send_email — To, subject, body, from address
- send_whatsapp — Template, sender number, variables
- condition_field — Field, operator, value (same operators as Recipe)
- delay_fixed — Duration
- conversational_whatsapp — AI Employee, session settings
Fix validation errors before saving—red error indicators on nodes mean required fields are missing.
Save and sync with Recipe
- Select Save (top bar).
- To simplify editing for teammates, select Edit in Recipe—logic syncs to plain-language sections where supported.
- Do not maintain divergent copies—pick one source of truth after major edits.
Limited mode banner
If you see Limited mode: with Retry registry fetch:
- Node library may be incomplete temporarily
- Select Retry registry fetch / Retrying…
- Save work only after registry loads—missing nodes can break runs
Verify your work
- Save successfully (no Saving... stuck state).
- Select Executions → run a test or wait for live trigger.
- Open Execution Viewer → snapshot shows each node executed.
- Recipe Test tab can still run automations created in Advanced Builder.
Tips
Use end_node explicitly on branches—orphan paths confuse execution traces.
Prefer delay_business_hours for customer-facing messages so sends respect working hours.
Start from a Template in Recipe, then Open in advanced visual builder to extend—not from blank canvas.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Please save the workflow first before viewing executions. | Save then open Executions |
| Node shows error state | Open node panel; complete required fields |
| Branch never runs | Check condition node wiring; test with Trace |
| AI node generic replies | Enrich Knowledge Hub; verify AI Employee link |
| Limited mode persists | Retry registry; contact Admin if network blocked |