Before You Begin

This tutorial will walk you through designing your first simple workflow. We will create a standard TO DOIN PROGRESSDONE lifecycle, which is the foundation for countless business processes.
Prerequisite: This guide assumes you have already created a Function and an Object Type named “Task”. If you haven’t, please follow our Creating Your First Object Type guide first.
You are now acting as the architect, defining the official path that all “Task” Objects must follow. A clear workflow is the foundation of a predictable and reportable process.

Step-by-Step Guide: Creating a ‘Task’ Workflow

# Designing a Basic 'Task' Workflow
This guide walks you through creating a simple but essential three-step workflow on the visual canvas.

## Section 1: Accessing the Workflow Canvas
! Important: Make sure you are inside the design canvas of a `Function` and have selected the "Task" `Object Type` you created previously.

1.  From the left sidebar of the Function designer, ensure you are on the **'Object Types'** tab and that your "Task" `Object Type` is highlighted.
    ![Screenshot showing the Function design canvas with the 'Task' Object Type selected.](/images/workflows/tutorial-step1.png)
2.  Click on the **'Workflow'** sub-tab. This will open the visual workflow canvas where you will design the process.
    * The canvas may be empty or contain a single default status.
    ![Screenshot showing the workflow canvas, ready for design.](/images/workflows/tutorial-step2.png)

## Section 2: Creating Your Statuses
* Tip: Each status represents a key stage in your process. For clarity and system-wide consistency, it's a best practice to name your statuses in `UPPERCASE`.

1.  If there is a default status on the canvas, click on it to open its settings, and rename it to `TO DO`.
2.  Click the **'+ Add Status'** button on the canvas to create a new status. Name it `IN PROGRESS`.
3.  Click **'+ Add Status'** again and name the final status `DONE`.
    ![Screenshot of the canvas with three separate, unconnected status boxes: TO DO, IN PROGRESS, and DONE.](/images/workflows/tutorial-step3.png)

## Section 3: Defining the Transitions
* Tip: Transitions create the 'flow' in your workflow. They define the permitted paths an Object can take, preventing steps from being skipped.

1.  Hover over the `TO DO` status. Click the small `+` icon on its right edge and, while holding the mouse button, drag the arrow to the `IN PROGRESS` status. Release the mouse button to create the transition.
2.  Now, hover over the `IN PROGRESS` status. Click the `+` icon on its right edge and drag the arrow to the `DONE` status.
3.  Review your workflow. You should now have a clear, linear flow: `TO DO` → `IN PROGRESS` → `DONE`.
    ![A screenshot of the completed workflow showing the three statuses connected by two directional arrows, representing the transitions.](/images/workflows/tutorial-step4.png)

Your First Workflow is Ready!

Congratulations! You have now successfully designed a complete, logical workflow. Every “Task” Object created from this Object Type will now be bound to this exact TO DOIN PROGRESSDONE lifecycle. This simple act enforces your business process, ensures data consistency for reporting, and makes the status of every task instantly understandable.

What’s Next?

A workflow is more than just boxes and arrows. The next step is to learn about the properties and rules that give your statuses power and intelligence.