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

# Flows

> Automate replies and routing with a visual flow builder.

Flows automate what happens when a conversation comes in — sending replies, routing to the right team, collecting information, or calling your own systems — without an agent doing it by hand.

Build flows in the agent console under **Flows**.

## How a flow runs

A flow has a **trigger** that starts it and a series of **nodes** connected together. When a conversation matches a trigger, the flow runs node by node, following the connections until it finishes or waits for the customer's next message.

## Triggers

A flow can start when:

* A new conversation begins
* A customer sends a message that matches your conditions
* An external webhook calls the flow

You can scope a flow to specific channels or accounts so it only runs where you intend.

## Nodes

Common node types include:

* **Message** — send text, a template, an interactive menu, or a location
* **AI response** — generate a reply with the workspace AI, grounded in your [knowledge base](/guide/knowledge-base)
* **Condition** — branch based on the message, contact data, or time of day
* **Assignment** — hand the conversation to an agent or [agent group](/guide/team#agent-groups)
* **Delay** — wait before continuing
* **Webhook** — call an external URL and use the response later in the flow

## Collecting metadata

Flows can save what they learn about a customer into [custom fields](/guide/contacts#custom-metadata) on the contact, so the data is available to your team and in later flows.

## Testing

Use the webhook test tools in the flow builder to send a sample payload and confirm a webhook-triggered flow behaves as expected before publishing.