Flow Builder
The Orbit Flow Builder is a visual drag-and-drop editor for designing communication workflows. Built on React Flow, it provides an intuitive canvas where you connect nodes to build automations of any complexity.Accessing the Builder
Open the Flow Builder from the Orbit dashboard: Flows > Create New Flow or edit an existing flow.Node Types
Drag nodes from the sidebar onto the canvas and connect them to build your flow.Triggers
| Node | Description |
|---|---|
| Incoming Message | Starts when a message is received on any channel |
| Incoming Call | Starts when a phone call is received |
| API Trigger | Starts when an external system calls your flow’s webhook URL |
| Schedule | Starts on a cron schedule (e.g., daily at 9 AM) |
| Event | Starts when a platform event fires (e.g., contact.created) |
Actions
| Node | Description |
|---|---|
| Send SMS | Send an SMS message |
| Send WhatsApp | Send a WhatsApp template or session message |
| Send Email | Send an email using a template or inline content |
| Make Call | Initiate an outbound voice call |
| HTTP Request | Call any external API |
| Run Agent | Hand the conversation to an AI agent |
| Set Variable | Store a value for use in later nodes |
Logic
| Node | Description |
|---|---|
| Condition | Branch based on a value (if/else) |
| Switch | Branch based on multiple values (switch/case) |
| Delay | Wait for a duration before continuing |
| Wait for Reply | Pause until the user responds |
| Loop | Repeat a sequence for each item in a list |
Building a Flow
1. Add a Trigger
Every flow starts with a trigger node. Drag one onto the canvas — this defines what starts your workflow.2. Add Action Nodes
Drag action nodes below your trigger and connect them by dragging from the output handle of one node to the input handle of the next.3. Use Variables
Reference dynamic data in any text field using double curly braces:4. Add Conditions
Use condition nodes to create branches:5. Test Your Flow
Click Test in the toolbar to simulate the flow with sample data. The builder highlights each node as it executes so you can trace the path.6. Publish
Click Publish to activate your flow. Published flows process live events immediately. You can pause or unpublish a flow at any time without deleting it.Keyboard Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Ctrl + S | Save flow |
Ctrl + Z | Undo |
Ctrl + Shift + Z | Redo |
Delete | Delete selected node |
Ctrl + D | Duplicate selected node |
Space + Drag | Pan the canvas |
Scroll | Zoom in/out |