Node Types Explained
Learn about the different types of nodes in Flowdrop and how they work together to create powerful automations.
The 5 Types of Nodes
Every workflow in Flowdrop is built using these five fundamental types of nodes. Understanding how each type works will help you design more effective automations.
Workflow Triggers
Nodes that start your workflows and determine when they should run
How It Works
These nodes are the entry points of your workflows. They listen for specific events or conditions and initiate the workflow execution when triggered.
Common Examples
Use Cases
- Start workflows manually when needed
- Run workflows on a schedule (daily, weekly, etc.)
- Trigger workflows when new emails arrive
- Start workflows via HTTP requests from external systems
Action Nodes
Nodes that perform specific tasks and operations within your workflows
How It Works
Action nodes do the actual work in your workflows. They process data, make API calls, generate content, and perform various operations based on the inputs they receive.
Common Examples
Use Cases
- Generate AI-powered content with LLM prompts
- Send HTTP requests to external APIs
- Read and write to Gmail messages
- Update Google Sheets with data
- Generate images and process files
Data Processing
Nodes that transform, analyze, and manipulate data as it flows through your workflow
How It Works
These nodes take input data and process it in various ways - transforming formats, filtering results, randomizing selections, or performing calculations to prepare data for the next steps.
Common Examples
Use Cases
- Randomly select items from a list
- Filter data based on specific criteria
- Transform data formats (JSON to CSV, etc.)
- Sort and organize data
- Perform calculations and aggregations
Flow Control
Nodes that control the logic and flow of your workflow execution
How It Works
Flow control nodes determine which path your workflow should take based on conditions, loop through data sets, or make intelligent decisions about the next steps.
Common Examples
Use Cases
- Create conditional logic (if this, then that)
- Use AI to make smart decisions about workflow paths
- Loop through lists of data (emails, files, etc.)
- Create complex branching logic
- Handle different scenarios based on data
Human in the Loop
Nodes that pause workflows to get human input, approval, or decision-making
How It Works
These nodes pause your workflow and wait for human input before continuing. They're essential for workflows that require human oversight, approval, or decision-making at critical steps.
Common Examples
Use Cases
- Get human approval for important decisions
- Pause workflows for manual review
- Require human input for sensitive operations
- Get approval before sending important communications
- Allow humans to make complex decisions that AI can't handle
How Nodes Work Together
The Flow of Data
Nodes are connected in a sequence, and data flows from one node to the next. Each node receives input from the previous node, processes it, and passes the result to the next node in the chain.
Building Effective Workflows
The key to powerful workflows is understanding how to combine different node types effectively. Start with a trigger, add actions to do the work, use data processing to prepare information, apply flow control for logic, and include human input when decisions are needed.
Example Flow:
Next Steps
Explore the Node Library
Dive deeper into specific nodes and learn their capabilities, configuration options, and use cases.
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Put your knowledge to practice by creating a real workflow using different node types.
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