🧩 Understanding Flow Nodes: Triggers, Conditions, Actions & Variables
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Flows in Flows Building are created by connecting nodes together.
Each node plays a specific role in controlling when a flow runs, how decisions are made, what actions occur, and how
data is stored and reused.
This article explains the four core node types:
- Triggers
- Conditions
- Actions
- Variables
Understanding these concepts is essential for building reliable and predictable flows.
What Is a Flow Node?
A node is a single step in a flow.
Nodes are connected in sequence to define the logic of your automation.
The order and configuration of nodes determine how the flow behaves.
Triggers
A trigger defines when a flow starts.
Every flow must have at least one trigger.
If the trigger conditions are not met, the flow will not run.
Key points about triggers
- Triggers listen for specific events
- They start the flow automatically
- They only activate when defined criteria are met
Triggers should be configured carefully to avoid flows running too often or not at all.
Conditions
Conditions allow a flow to make decisions.
They check whether specific criteria are true or false and determine which path the flow should follow.
Conditions are used to
- Branch a flow into different paths
- Stop a flow when criteria are not met
- Control whether actions should run
Conditions usually evaluate data provided by triggers or earlier actions.
How Conditions Work
- Conditions evaluate data at runtime
- Each condition results in a true/false outcome
- The flow follows the path that matches the result
Placing conditions before dependent actions is critical to correct behaviour.
Actions
An action defines what the flow does.
Actions are the steps that perform work once a flow is running.
Common action purposes
- Creating or updating records
- Sending notifications or messages
- Forwarding or routing events
- Triggering external systems
A flow can include multiple actions, which run in the order they are connected.
Variables
Variables are used to store and reuse data within a flow.
They allow you to capture information once and reference it later, making flows more flexible and efficient.
What Variables Are Used For
Variables can be used to:
- Store values from triggers or actions
- Reuse data across multiple steps
- Simplify complex logic
- Reduce repeated configuration
For example, a variable might store a caller’s number, an ID, or a calculated value.
How Variables Work
- Variables are created during flow execution
- Their values can be updated as the flow runs
- Other nodes can reference variables when needed
If a variable is empty or missing, actions that rely on it may fail.
How Nodes Work Together
A typical flow follows this structure:
1. A trigger starts the flow
2. One or more conditions evaluate logic
3. Variables store or pass data between steps
4. Actions perform the required tasks
Incorrect ordering or missing configuration can cause flows to stop or behave unexpectedly.
Best Practices for Using Nodes
To build reliable flows:
- Keep logic simple where possible
- Use conditions before actions that depend on data
- Name variables clearly
- Avoid unnecessary branching
- Test each logic path before publishing
Clear structure makes flows easier to maintain and troubleshoot.
Common Node-Related Issues
Some common problems include:
- Triggers that are too broad or too narrow
- Conditions placed after actions
- Variables referenced before being set
- Actions missing required input data
Most issues can be resolved by reviewing node order and configuration.
When to Review Node Logic
Review triggers, conditions, actions and variables if:
- A flow is not triggering
- Actions fail unexpectedly
- The flow runs too often or not often enough
- Recent changes were made
Small adjustments often resolve larger issues.
Related Articles
- Setting up your first flow
- Editing, versioning & publishing flows
- Common mistakes when building flows
- Troubleshooting Flows That Are Not Triggering
- Troubleshooting Actions That Fail
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