Why it matters
Workflows help you automate repeatable processes across Whippy and connected systems. Use workflows when you want Whippy to respond to a trigger, run a set of steps, update data, send information to another system, or coordinate a multi-step process without needing someone to complete every action manually.
This article is the starting point for the Workflows section. Use it to understand the workflow list, workflow status, publishing, versions, runs, and where to go next when you need to build or troubleshoot a workflow.
For detailed builder instructions, use Build Workflows in Whippy. For run history, versions, replaying runs, and import/export, use Monitor and Troubleshoot Workflows in Whippy.
Key Concepts
Workflow: An automation made up of a trigger and one or more steps.
Trigger: The event that starts a workflow. A trigger can be a webhook request, an email parser, a schedule, or a supported app trigger.
Step: An action or logic block that runs after the workflow starts.
Draft: A workflow version that is being edited and has not been made live yet.
Published Workflow: A workflow that can be triggered and run.
Current Version: The published version that is currently in use for workflow execution.
Run: A single execution of a workflow.
Version History: The list of draft and published versions for a workflow.
Import & Export: The workflow tool used to copy workflow JSON out of Whippy or import workflow steps from JSON.
Workflow Articles in This Section
The Workflows documentation is split into three practical guides:
Workflows in Whippy: Create, find, publish, unpublish, and manage workflows.
Build Workflows in Whippy: Add triggers, steps, actions, apps, variables, filters, loops, waits, and validation.
Monitor and Troubleshoot Workflows in Whippy: Review runs, inspect errors, manage versions, replay runs, and import or export workflow JSON.
Step-by-Step: Open Workflows
Open Workflows from the main navigation.
Review the list of workflows in your workspace.
Use the workflow name and description to identify the automation you want to open.
Use the Status toggle to see whether a workflow is currently published.
Review Created at and Updated at to understand when the workflow was created or last changed.
Step-by-Step: Create a Workflow
Open Workflows.
Click Add workflow.
Enter a Workflow name.
Add an optional Description explaining what the workflow does.
Click Add.
Whippy opens the workflow editor so you can start building the workflow.
The workflow is not live just because it has been created. It must be configured and published before it can run.
Find and Organize Workflows
The Workflows page includes tools for finding and reviewing workflows:
Search: Search workflows by name.
Sort: Sort by available workflow columns, such as created or updated date.
Status: Review whether each workflow is published.
Workflow actions: Open the workflow actions menu to view the workflow, edit details, or delete it.
Use clear workflow names and descriptions so other team members can understand what each automation does before opening it.
Step-by-Step: Open a Workflow
Open Workflows.
Click a workflow row, or open the workflow actions menu.
Select View workflow if you want to open the workflow from the actions menu.
If the workflow has a current published version, Whippy opens the current workflow view.
If the workflow has not been published yet, Whippy opens the editor.
Step-by-Step: Edit Workflow Details
Open Workflows.
Open the workflow actions menu for the workflow.
Select Edit details.
Update the workflow name or description.
Save your changes.
Editing workflow details does not automatically change the steps in the workflow.
Step-by-Step: Publish a Workflow
Open the workflow you want to publish.
Confirm the workflow has a trigger and all required steps are configured.
Click Publish.
If Whippy highlights validation issues, open the flagged steps and complete the missing configuration.
Click Publish again after resolving the issues.
Once published, the workflow becomes live and can be triggered.
Publishing creates the version that Whippy uses when the workflow runs.
Step-by-Step: Unpublish a Workflow
Open Workflows.
Find the workflow in the table.
Turn off the Status toggle.
Confirm the workflow is no longer published.
When a workflow is unpublished, it will no longer be triggered.
Versions, Runs, and Import/Export
After a workflow has been published or run, additional tools become important:
Versions: Review draft and published workflow versions, create drafts, publish drafts, test run a version, or make a previous version current.
Runs: Review workflow execution history, inspect inputs and outputs, search run data, and troubleshoot failures.
Import & Export: Export workflow JSON or import workflow steps from JSON.
These tools are available from the workflow toolbar inside a workflow.
Tips and Best Practices
Use a clear workflow name that describes the business process, not only the trigger.
Add a description so other admins know what the workflow is expected to do.
Keep unpublished workflows for drafts or inactive automations.
Review run history after publishing a workflow for the first time.
Use versions when making changes to a live workflow so you can understand what changed over time.
Avoid deleting a workflow unless you are sure the automation and its run history are no longer needed.
Troubleshooting
Issue | Possible Cause | Fix |
I cannot find a workflow | Search, filters, or sorting may be limiting the list | Clear search terms and review the Workflows list again |
The workflow does not run | The workflow may not be published | Check the Status toggle or publish the workflow from the editor |
The Publish button is disabled | The workflow may be empty or contain an empty step | Add and configure the required trigger and steps |
Publishing fails | One or more steps may be missing required configuration | Open the highlighted steps and complete the required fields |
The workflow opens in edit mode | The workflow may not have a current published version | Finish configuring the workflow and publish it |
A workflow should stop running | The workflow may still be published | Turn off the Status toggle from the Workflows list |