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Node Explained · Lesson 1 of 12

START Node: Workflow Inputs and Validation

Open the Start node and declare what a workflow needs: pick the default model, choose how data moves between nodes, then define input fields (string, number, enum, array, object, image, media, file) with the constraints each type allows.

Beginner2:02Learning path · Lesson 8, Build

What You Will Learn

  • What START does: you declare what the workflow needs and the form builds itself, with no interface code
  • The field types and why the type is not decoration: text, number, true or false, file, and list of files
  • Why a file field is not a string with a filename in it, and the extraction pipeline declaring one sets off
  • Marking fields required, and writing descriptions as helper text your user reads in Hub
  • The interaction choice that lives here: form, chat or hybrid, and why it changes how the whole thing feels
  • How the same declaration becomes your API request schema, so the integration payload comes free

Step by step guide

Step 1: Open the Start node Configuration

Click on the Start node in your workflow canvas to open its configuration panel.

The Start node selected on the workflow canvas, with its configuration panel open

Step 2: Select the Default LLM

In the start node configuration, choose the default LLM from the available list of models. This LLM will be used as the primary model for the flow unless overridden later.

The default LLM dropdown, listing the available models

Step 3: Choose the State Mode

Configure the state mode for data transfer between nodes.

The state mode setting, offering Temporal and Redis

  • Temporal:
    • Use when the data to be transferred is relatively small (up to around 4 MB).
    • Suitable for lightweight, transient data passing between nodes.
  • Redis:
    • Use when you need to transfer large volumes of data between nodes.
    • Provides temporary storage of data while it is being passed across different nodes.

I'll select Temporal mode as the default configuration for data storage while the data is transferred between nodes.

Step 4: Add an Input Field

To configure input fields for the start node, click Add field.

The Add field button in the Start node's input section

Enter a field name (for example, query), then select the field type from the dropdown.

A new input field named query, with the field type dropdown open

Available field types include: string, number, boolean, object, array, enum, file, image, and media.

You can also configure constraints for the field, such as:

  • Marking it as required
  • Setting minimum and maximum length (where applicable)
  • Applying a regex pattern
  • Specifying placeholder text and a label for how it appears in the UI

Step 5: Add a Number Field (Example: Retries)

Click Add field again to create another input field. Set the field type to number (for example, a field named retries).

A second field named retries, with its type set to number

For a number field, configure constraints such as minimum and maximum values.

Minimum and maximum value constraints on a number field

Step 6: Configure an Image Field

Add another field and set its type to image.

A field with its type set to image

In the image field configuration, you can define:

Image field options: maximum file size, character limit and allowed extensions

  • Maximum file size
  • Maximum number of characters (for associated metadata, if applicable)
  • Allowed file extensions

Step 7: Configure a Media Field

Set a field type to media to accept media files (such as audio or video). Configure the available media-specific options as presented in the UI.

Media field options for accepting audio and video uploads

Step 8: Configure a File Field

For a file field type, similar configuration options are available as for image and media fields (e.g., max size, extensions).

File field options, mirroring those for image and media

Step 9: Configure an Enum Field

For an enum field type, specify the list of allowed values that the user can choose from.

An enum field with its list of allowed values

Step 10: Configure an Array Field

For an array field type, define:

Array field options: the item type and the maximum number of items

  • The type of items in the array (e.g., string, number)
  • The maximum number of items allowed

Step 11: Configure an Object Field

For an object field type, specify whether the field is required or optional.

An object field with its required toggle

Step 12: Configure Boolean and Number Fields

For a Boolean field type, define whether it represents a true/false value and mark if it is required.

A boolean field and its required toggle

These configurations complete the setup of the Start node, including LLM selection, state mode, and input field definitions.