Workflows Quick Start: Build Your First Workflow in 10 Minutes

What it is

Workflows is the visual workflow and process automation module inside RAPTIX. You design a process by dragging and connecting step-by-step building blocks onto an infinite canvas — no code required. Once built, a workflow can run automatically, notify the right people, wait for approvals, route decisions, and much more. This Quick Start walks you through creating your very first workflow: a simple one that starts manually, assigns a task to someone for approval, sends a notification email, and then ends.

Why it's useful / Key benefits

• No code required for a basic flow: drag nodes, configure their visible fields, and draw connections.
• Visible process logic: every step and decision is visible on one screen, making it easy to review and explain to colleagues.
• Runs reliably in the background: once triggered, a workflow keeps running even if you close the browser or the server is restarted. Nothing is lost mid-process.
• Builds confidence fast: most users have a working first workflow saved and ready to test within 10 minutes.
• Reusable foundation: this first workflow is a starting point you can extend, duplicate, or share with teammates.

Before you start

• You need access to Workflows. If Workflows does not appear in your sidebar or on the Home screen, ask your administrator to grant you the Workflows permission.
• No special role is required to design and save a basic workflow — most users can do this. Some advanced nodes (such as Python Script) are reserved for Administrators.
• Open the RAPTIX platform in your browser and confirm you are signed in.

How to use it — step by step

Step 1: Open Workflow Management

1. Open Applications.

2. Select Flow Builder in the Build actions.

   Workflow Management opens at the Workspace level. Select a Workspace and Application when you want to review existing workflows in that location.

Step 2: Create a new workflow

3. Select New Workflow in the page header.

   A metadata form appears asking you to fill in the details for your new workflow.

4. Fill in the following fields:

   Field	What to enter
   Workspace	Select the Workspace that owns the workflow. It may already be selected if you opened New Workflow from inside that Workspace.
   Application	Select the Application that owns the workflow.
   Workflow name	Type a unique descriptive name, for example: My First Approval Workflow
   Description	(Optional) A brief note such as Quick start tutorial workflow

5. Select Continue to Designer. The Visual Designer opens automatically with the new blank workflow.

Step 3: Add a Start node

The new workflow opens with an empty canvas. If you are adapting an existing or duplicated workflow instead, do not clear it unless you intend to remove all of its current nodes.

6. On the left side of the canvas, the Workflow Elements panel is visible. It has two tabs at the top: BASIC and LOGIC. Make sure BASIC is selected.

7. Find the Start node (the gold "Start" item with a play icon). Click and drag it onto the canvas, then release it near the top-center of the canvas.

   The Start node appears on the canvas. Double-click it (or click it once and look for the edit/properties panel) to configure it:

   • Label: Start (leave as is, or rename to something like Begin Request)
   • Trigger type: Select Trigger Manually for now.
   • Click Save or Close to save the node settings.

Step 4: Add a Task node

8. In the BASIC tab of the Workflow Elements panel, find Task (the orange checklist icon). Drag it onto the canvas below the Start node.

9. Click on the Task node to open its properties panel. Fill in:

   Field	What to enter
   Task Title	Manager Approval
   Description	Review and approve the submitted request
   Assigned To	Choose a user or role who should receive this task
   Priority	Medium

10. Click Save (or close the properties panel to confirm).

Step 5: Add an Email node

11. In the BASIC tab, find Email (the purple envelope icon). Drag it onto the canvas below the Task node.

12. Click the Email node to open its properties. At minimum:

    • Subject: Your request has been processed
    • Recipients: Enter an email address or select a workflow variable for the recipient

13. You can use the drag-and-drop email builder to compose the email body, or leave it with a default layout for now. Click Save.

Step 6: Add an End node

14. In the LOGIC tab, find End (the gray square icon). Drag it onto the canvas below the Email node.

The End node marks where this branch of the workflow finishes.

Step 7: Connect the nodes

Now draw the connections (arrows) between the nodes to define the flow:

15. Hover your mouse over the bottom edge of the Start node. A small circle (connection handle) appears.

16. Click and drag from that handle to the top edge of the Task node. Release the mouse over the Task node. An arrow appears connecting them.

17. Repeat to connect: Task → Email, then Email → End.

Step 8: Save your workflow

18. Press Ctrl+S on your keyboard (or Cmd+S on Mac), or click the gold Save Workflow button (the floppy disk icon, top-left of the toolbar).

A "Saved!" confirmation appears briefly at the top of the screen, and a version entry is created automatically.

Congratulations — you have just built and saved your first Workflows workflow!

Options & settings explained

Tips & best practices

• Start simple. Build a 3- or 4-node workflow first, confirm it works, then add complexity. You can always add branches, conditions, and extra steps later.
• Use Auto-Layout (the wand icon in the toolbar, or Ctrl+L) if your canvas gets messy — it arranges all nodes into a clean vertical or horizontal hierarchy with one click.
• Name nodes clearly. Instead of "Task 1," use something like "Finance Manager Review" so the workflow diagram explains itself at a glance.
• Save often. Pressing Ctrl+S takes only a second. Auto-save runs every 30 seconds, but manual saves create named checkpoints in Version History that are easier to identify later.
• Use the Variable Panel (the { } icon in the toolbar) to see all the data fields produced by each node, so you can reference them in other nodes using {{variable_name}} syntax.
• View before sharing. Before asking colleagues to use a workflow, select its main row in Workflow Management to open it in read-only mode — this is what others will see, and it confirms your design looks right.

Frequently asked questions

Q: I don't see the Workflow Elements panel. Where did it go? Click the hamburger/menu icon at the far left of the toolbar to toggle the panel open. On smaller screens it may be hidden by default.

Q: I drew a connection but the arrow went to the wrong node. How do I remove it? Click on the connection arrow to select it, then press the Delete key on your keyboard. The connection is removed. You can then draw the correct one.

Q: I made a mistake placing nodes. Can I undo? Yes. Press Ctrl+Z (or Cmd+Z on Mac) to undo the last action, or click the Undo button in the toolbar. You can also go to Version History (the Save button opens the version panel) and revert to a previous saved version.

Q: Can I rename my workflow after creating it? Yes. Double-click the workflow title in the center of the toolbar to edit it inline, then save the workflow.

Q: I cannot see the Python Script node in the sidebar. Is it missing? The Python Script node is only visible to users with the Administrator role. This is by design — it is an advanced node restricted to administrators.

Q: How do I run my workflow to test it? Click Run Workflow in the toolbar. Then use Applications → Workflow → All Instances to follow the created instance. See Run and Monitor a Workflow.

Q: Does my workflow start running immediately when I save it? No. Saving just stores the design. You must explicitly trigger it (by clicking Run, setting up a schedule, or configuring a webhook trigger) for it to begin executing.