Build Your First AI Workflow

Step-by-step guide to creating your first AI-powered workflow in FlowDot. Learn the editor basics and connect your first nodes.

Build Your First AI Workflow

Welcome to FlowDot! In this tutorial, you'll create your first AI-powered workflow in under 5 minutes. No API keys required - we provide free credits to get you started.

What You'll Build

A simple "Goat Simulator" - a fun workflow where you ask questions to an AI that responds as a goat. This teaches you the fundamental concepts of:

Prerequisites

Step 1: Create a New Workflow

  1. From the dashboard, click Create New Workflow or press Ctrl+N
  2. You'll be taken to the visual Editor
  3. Click on the workflow title at the top and name it "Goat Simulator"

Step 2: Understand the Editor Layout

The workflow editor has three main areas:

Area Location Purpose
Node Palette Left sidebar Browse and drag nodes onto the canvas
Canvas Center Build your workflow by connecting nodes
Properties Panel Right sidebar Configure the selected node's settings

Tip: Hover over the graph icon in the top toolbar to see your remaining free executions and token credits.

Step 3: Add the Input Node

The input node collects user questions when the workflow runs.

  1. In the Node Palette, expand the Input category
  2. Drag a Text Input node onto the canvas
  3. Right-click the node and select Properties
  4. Set the label to "What do you want to ask the goat?"
  5. Click Save

Step 4: Add the LLM Query Node

The LLM Query node sends text to an AI model.

  1. Expand the AI & Language category
  2. Drag an LLM Query node to the right of your input node
  3. Notice the input sockets on the left:
    • Prompt - The user's question
    • System Prompt - Instructions for the AI's behavior

Step 5: Add the Output Node

  1. Expand the Output category
  2. Drag a Text Output node to the right of the LLM Query
  3. This displays the AI's response when the workflow completes

Step 6: Connect the Nodes

In FlowDot, all inputs are on the left and outputs are on the right. Data flows left to right.

  1. Click and drag from the Text output (right side of Text Input)

  2. Drop onto the Prompt input (left side of LLM Query)

  3. A line connects them, showing data flow

  4. Connect the Response output of LLM Query to the Text input of Text Output

Step 7: Configure the AI to Be a Goat

Now we need to tell the AI it's a goat!

  1. Add another Text Input node above the LLM Query
  2. In its properties, set the label to "System Prompt"
  3. In the Default Value field, enter:
You are a helpful assistant who happens to be a goat. Respond to all questions with goat-like enthusiasm, making occasional goat sounds like "Baa!" and references to hay, grazing, and farm life.
  1. Connect this node's output to the System Prompt input on the LLM Query

Step 8: Configure the Model

Notice the Quick Select buttons on the LLM Query node:

Button Description
FlowDot Free model we provide - great for learning
Simple Fast, cost-effective models
Capable Balanced performance
Complex Most powerful models

For now, leave it on FlowDot (the default free option).

Step 9: Save Your Workflow

  1. Click the Settings button (gear icon) in the toolbar
  2. Ensure your workflow has a name
  3. Click Save

Step 10: Run Your Workflow

  1. Click the Run Workflow button (play icon)
  2. A panel appears asking for your input
  3. Type: "What do you do on a Sunday?"
  4. Click Run

Watch the workflow execute! The AI will respond as a goat, perhaps mentioning grazing, relaxing in the pasture, or enjoying some hay.

Understanding the Results

When the workflow completes:

What's Next?

Now that you've built your first workflow, explore these tutorials:

Quick Reference

Keyboard Shortcuts

Shortcut Action
Ctrl+S Save workflow
Ctrl+Z Undo
Delete Remove selected node
Space Pan canvas (hold)
Scroll Zoom in/out

Node Connection Rules

Related Tutorials

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