Flows/Key Concepts

Key Concepts

Understanding these core concepts will help you build powerful automations.

Terminology

Flow

A flow is an automated workflow - a series of connected nodes that execute in sequence. Each flow has one trigger and can have multiple tools and utilities.

Trigger

The starting point of your flow. Triggers define when your flow runs - manually, on a schedule, when receiving a webhook, or when table rows change.

Tool

Tools are actions that connect to external services. They let you interact with apps like Google Drive, Gmail, Slack, AI models, and more. Tools are the what of your automation - the actual tasks being performed.

Utility

Utilities add logic and control flow to your automations. They include IF conditions, loops (iterators), routers, aggregators, and more. Utilities help you build complex, intelligent workflows.

Connection / Edge

The lines between nodes that define execution order and data flow. Data from one node can be used in subsequent connected nodes using templates.

Bundle

A bundle is a single unit of data passing through your flow. When processing multiple items (like files or rows), each item becomes a separate bundle that flows through your nodes independently.

Node Types

Triggers

Schedule

Run at specific times or intervals

Webhook

Run when receiving HTTP requests

Manual

Run by clicking a button

Table Event

Run when Base rows change

Utilities

IF / Router

Branch based on conditions

Iterator

Loop through arrays of data

Aggregator

Combine multiple bundles into one

Filter

Only allow matching data through

How Data Flows

Trigger

Outputs data

Tool A

Uses trigger data

Tool B

Uses A's output

Each node can access data from any previous node in the chain using {{nodeName.field}} templates.

Key Concepts - Flows Guide - Serenities