Quick links
Introducing the new flow builder
How to add a node to the canvas
Adding more nodes to the canvas
Inline editing a node on the canvas
Node name, description and guide text
Joining nodes (creating paths)
Flow builder overview
Introducing the flow builder
A flow is an automated communication sent by Pendula, as either a one-off or on an ongoing basis. It can be sent to one or many people, based on specific criteria.
The flow builder is designed to give you full flexibility when building flows from any data source. All settings for a flow live on a single screen, within the flow builder canvas.
The menu bar allows you to add a flow name and flow description.
Simply click on the text to edit it.
The flow builder itself is divided into two sections:
- The toolbar (left): Here you can browse and select different nodes. A node represents a process that occurs during a flow, such as sending an SMS or updating a field. You can click the arrow in the top right to minimise or maximise the toolbar.
- The canvas (right): Here you can drag and drop nodes and build your flow. The canvas lets you configure, rearrange, and build your flows however you like!
What is a node?
All Pendula flows are made up of nodes. Nodes are modular and configurable. Each node represents a process that occurs during a flow, such as sending an SMS or updating a field, and when linked together create the customer experiences we call flows. Let's take a look at each node type:
Trigger nodes
Triggers nodes begin flows based on criteria that you can configure.
Messaging nodes
Messaging nodes handle both single outbound messages and two-way conversation with expected replies and no-reply expiry handling.
Data nodes
Data nodes let you sync to integrations like Salesforce Marketing Cloud.
Workflow nodes
Workflow nodes let you enter code directly in our Pendula WorkFlow Language (WFL). You can learn more about workflow nodes here.
For now, your Pendula Expert will help with entering WFL code for the relevant flows.
How to add a node to the canvas
All flows need a ‘trigger’ node to start the flow. Learn more about trigger nodes here.
- Click and drag a node from the toolbar onto the canvas. The available helpers will pulse where you can drop that particular type of node.
- The settings panel will open automatically after placing the node.
- Once configured, click Save to save your settings.
- Nodes can be edited at any time by hovering over the node and clicking the settings icon that appears beneath it.
Nodes with multiple outcomes, such as the conversation node, will show helper paths on the canvas.
Adding more nodes to the canvas
- Click and drag another node from the toolbar onto the canvas. The available helpers will pulse where you can drop that particular type of node.
How to delete a node
- Hover your mouse over the node you wish to delete, and click on the bin icon that appears beneath it
Deleting a node will also remove any nodes on the path after it, along with any configuration unique to this node.
Inline editing a node on the canvas
As you add multiple nodes to your flow, it’s helpful to know what actions each node is taking without having to check the settings pane of each one.
Pendula allows you to see this info at a glance with editable node name, description and guide text. We recommend giving each node descriptive identifiers to make it easy for yourself and your team to track each step of a flow when you view it later.
Node name, description and guide text
A node's name and description can be edited in order to make it more easily identifiable. It doesn't affect anything inside the node or anything to do with its configuration. You can also add guide text as instructions for anyone who is viewing or editing a particular node.
You can add a node name, node description and guide text by hovering over the text on the canvas. An edit icon will appear, and you can simply click to enter new text.
You can also edit a node's name, description and guide text from within the settings pane.
Joining nodes (creating paths)
You can join nodes and create paths by connecting outcomes to other nodes. To do this, drag the grey + icon and drop it onto the desired outcome node. This creates a new path for that particular outcome.
You cannot remove a joined node path and orphan the child node; to remove a path you must delete the child node.
Changing node settings
Clicking on a node will bring up its settings pane for you to configure. Different nodes have different configuration options; we will go through some of them below.
Node settings are divided into two sections:
- The node details pane (left): Here you can edit the node name, node API name, node description and node guide text. These settings are available on every node.
- The node configuration pane (right): Here you can edit node settings. These settings vary based on node type.
