> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.flowx.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Adding a new node

> Learn how to add and configure different node types to build process flows in FlowX.AI Designer.

Once you've created a process definition, the next step is to build your process flow by adding and connecting nodes. Nodes represent different steps, events, and decision points in your business process.

![Adding a new node](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/docx.flowx.ai/release40/mapf_add_new_node.gif)

## What is a BPMN node?

> [card] BPMN node
>
> A BPMN (Business Process Model and Notation) node is a visual representation of a point in your process. Nodes are added at specific process points to denote the entrance or transition of a record within the process. Each node type has a specific purpose and configuration requirements.

## Available node types

FlowX.AI supports a rich variety of BPMN node types that you can use to model your business processes:

### Flow control nodes

> [card] [Start event](https://docs.flowx.ai/6.x/docs/building-blocks/node/start-end-node.md)
>
> Marks the beginning of a process flow

> [card] [End Event](https://docs.flowx.ai/6.x/docs/building-blocks/node/start-end-node.md)
>
> Marks the conclusion of a process flow

### Activity nodes

> [card] [Task Node](https://docs.flowx.ai/6.x/docs/building-blocks/node/task-node.md)
>
> Executes automated tasks and business rules

> [card] [User Task](https://docs.flowx.ai/6.x/docs/building-blocks/node/user-task-node.md)
>
> Creates user interfaces and handles user interactions

> [card] [Send Message Task](https://docs.flowx.ai/6.x/docs/building-blocks/node/message-send-received-task-node.md)
>
> Sends data to external systems or services

> [card] [Receive Message Task](https://docs.flowx.ai/6.x/docs/building-blocks/node/message-send-received-task-node.md)
>
> Receives data from external systems or services

### Gateway nodes

> [card] [Exclusive gateway](https://docs.flowx.ai/6.x/docs/building-blocks/node/exclusive-gateway-node.md)
>
> Creates decision points with mutually exclusive paths

> [card] [Parallel Gateway](https://docs.flowx.ai/6.x/docs/building-blocks/node/parallel-gateway.md)
>
> Splits process flow into multiple concurrent paths

### Event nodes

> [card] [Message event](../../building-blocks/node/message-events/)
>
> Captures interactions between different process participants

> [card] [Timer Event](https://docs.flowx.ai/6.x/docs/building-blocks/node/timer-events/timer-events.md)
>
> Triggers actions based on time conditions or delays

> [card] [Error Event](https://docs.flowx.ai/6.x/docs/building-blocks/node/error-events.md)
>
> Manages error handling in processes

### Subprocess nodes

> [card] [Call activity](https://docs.flowx.ai/6.x/docs/building-blocks/node/call-subprocess-tasks/call-activity-node.md)
>
> Calls and runs a subprocess within the main process

> [card] [Start Embedded Subprocess](https://docs.flowx.ai/6.x/docs/building-blocks/node/call-subprocess-tasks/start-embedded-subprocess.md)
>
> Initiates subprocesses embedded within a parent process

### Boundary event nodes

> [card] [Message catch boundary event](https://docs.flowx.ai/6.x/docs/building-blocks/node/message-events/message-catch-boundary-event.md)
>
> Waits for a specific message during task execution

> [card] [Timer Boundary Event](https://docs.flowx.ai/6.x/docs/building-blocks/node/message-events/message-catch-boundary-event.md)
>
> Triggers based on time conditions during task execution

> [card] [Error Boundary Event](https://docs.flowx.ai/6.x/docs/building-blocks/node/error-events.md#configuring-an-error-intermediate-boundary-event)
>
> Catches errors during task or subprocess execution

> [!NOTE]
>
> Boundary events can only be attached to certain node types:
>
> * User Task
> * Service Task
> * Send Message/Receive Message Tasks
> * Subprocess (Embedded and Call Activity)

For more information on BPMN node types and BPMN standards, see the following resources:

> [card] [BPMN Node Documentation](https://docs.flowx.ai/6.x/docs/building-blocks/node/node.md)
>
> BPMN node types in FlowX.AI

> [card] [Intro to BPMN](https://docs.flowx.ai/6.x/docs/platform-overview/frameworks-and-standards/business-process-industry-standards/intro-to-bpmn.md)
>
> Learn fundamental BPMN concepts and standards

For a comprehensive understanding of BPMN standards and concepts, see [BPMN 2.0 Basic Concepts](https://docs.flowx.ai/6.x/docs/platform-overview/frameworks-and-standards/business-process-industry-standards/intro-to-bpmn.md).

> [card] [BPMN 101](https://academy.flowx.ai/explore/bpmn-101)
>
> Learn more about BPMN and how it's used in FlowX through our Academy course

## Adding a node to your process

**1. Access Your Process Definition**

1. Open **FlowX.AI Designer** and navigate to your project
2. Go to the **Processes** section within your project
3. Click on the process definition you want to edit

**2. Add a Node to the Canvas**

1. Locate the node palette on the left side of the screen
2. **Drag and drop** your desired node type onto the canvas
3. Position the node where you want it in your process flow

> [!TIP]
>
> Organize your process flow from left to right for better readability. Place related nodes closer together to show their relationship.

**3. Connect Nodes with Sequence Flows**

To create a connection between nodes (called a sequence flow):

1. Click on the source node to select it
2. Click the **arrow** icon that appears
3. Click on the target node you want to connect to
4. A sequence flow arrow will be created between the two nodes

![Connect nodes](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/docx.flowx.ai/470/node_sequence.png)

> [!WARNING]
>
> Every node (except End nodes) must have at least one outgoing sequence flow, and every node (except Start nodes) must have at least one incoming sequence flow for the process to be valid.

**4. Configure Node Properties**

After adding a node, you need to configure its properties:

1. Click on the node to select it to open the properties panel
2. Click edit icon to open the properties panel
3. Configure basic properties like name and description
4. Set node-specific properties depending on the node type
5. Configure actions for the node

![Node edit menu](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/docx.flowx.ai/470/node_edit_menu.png)

![Node properties](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/docx.flowx.ai/470/node_config.png)

> [!NOTE]
>
> Different node types have different configuration options. For example, Gateway nodes have condition-related settings.
>
> ![Gateway configuration](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/docx.flowx.ai/470/gateway_config.png)

**5. Add Actions to Nodes**

For nodes that support actions (task nodes, user task nodes, and message nodes):

1. Select the node
2. In the properties panel, navigate to the **Actions** section
3. Click **+ Add Action**
4. Select the action type and configure its parameters

![Add action](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/docx.flowx.ai/470/node_action.png)

> [!NOTE]
>
> Actions allow you to incorporate business rules, save data, send messages, and interact with users. Learn more about [Node Actions](https://docs.flowx.ai/6.x/docs/building-blocks/actions/actions.md).

## Common node configuration options

While each node type has specific properties, many share these common configuration options:

> [accordion] Basic Properties
>
> * **Name**: A descriptive name for the node (visible in the Process Designer).
> * **Can go back**: Option available in various nodes that controls whether users can return to previous steps in a process. When enabled (set to true), it allows users to revisit and redo that step after completing it.
> * **Stage**: The stage of the process the node belongs to.

> [accordion] Action Properties
>
> For nodes that support actions:
>
> * **Action Type**: Type of action to execute
> * **Action Parameters**: Configuration for the specific action
> * **Execution Order**: Sequence for multiple actions on a node

## Node type-specific configuration

> [card] User Task Configuration
>
> * UI Component selection
> * Form configuration
> * Data validation rules
> * Task assignment settings

> [card] Gateway Configuration
>
> * Condition expressions
> * Default sequence flow
> * Branch naming
> * Gateway direction (diverging/converging)

> [card] Message Task Configuration
>
> * Message format
> * Target system
> * Correlation keys
> * Timeout handling

> [card] Service Task Configuration
>
> * Service implementation
> * Input/output mapping
> * Error handling
> * Execution parameters

## Best practices

> [!TIP]
>
> **When adding nodes to your process:**
>
> * **Use descriptive names** for nodes to make the process easier to understand
> * **Organize the layout** from left to right for better readability
> * **Limit the number of sequence flows** from a single node to maintain clarity
> * **Group related functionality** into subprocesses to reduce complexity
> * **Document assumptions and decisions** in node descriptions
> * **Validate your process** regularly during development to catch errors early

## Next steps

After adding nodes to your process, you can:

> [card] [Add Actions to Nodes](https://docs.flowx.ai/6.x/docs/flowx-designer/managing-a-project-flow/adding-an-action-to-a-node.md)
>
> Configure business rules and actions for your nodes


## Related topics

- [Adding an action to a node](https://docs.flowx.ai/6.x/docs/flowx-designer/managing-a-project-flow/adding-an-action-to-a-node.md)
- [Custom Agent node](https://docs.flowx.ai/6.x/docs/platform-deep-dive/integrations/custom-agent-node.md)
- [Deep Research node](https://docs.flowx.ai/6.x/docs/platform-deep-dive/integrations/deep-research-node.md)
- [Mock integrations](https://docs.flowx.ai/6.x/docs/platform-deep-dive/integrations/mock-integrations.md)
- [Creating and managing process definitions](https://docs.flowx.ai/6.x/docs/flowx-designer/managing-a-project-flow/creating-a-new-process-definition.md)


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