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Creating a Workflow

You can create workflows in two ways:
  1. Start from a template: Choose pre-built workflows for common tasks
  2. Create from scratch: Build custom workflows using the block library

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Starting from a Template

Click Create workflow in the Workflows page. Browse available templates by category Select a template to start with pre-configured blocks and logic.

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Creating from Scratch

Click Create Blank to open the workflow builder with:
  • Input block (defines workflow inputs)
  • End block (marks where the workflow finishes; it has no settings)
Add blocks between these to build your workflow logic.

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Understanding the Workflow Builder

The workflow builder has three main areas: Left sidebar: Block library organized by category
  • AI (LLM, Generate Image, Content Humanizer)
  • Semrush (Keyword Overview, Domain Overview, Backlink Overview)
  • Data Sources and Lookups (Google Search, Google AI Overview, Web Scrape)
  • and so on …
Center canvas: Visual workflow designer
  • Drag blocks from sidebar to canvas
  • Connect blocks to define execution flow
  • Configure the blocks using the config panel in each block
Top toolbar: Workflow actions
  • Version dropdown (shows Draft or the version number): View previous versions
  • History: Open the workflow’s run history in a new tab
  • Test All: Run workflow with test inputs
  • Settings: Configure workflow metadata
  • Publish: Make workflow available for use

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Adding and Configuring Blocks

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Adding Blocks

  1. Browse the block library in the left sidebar
  2. Click a block and drag it to add it to the canvas
  3. Position blocks in the sequence you want them to execute

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Configuring Blocks

Click any block on the canvas to open its configuration panel. Each block has Block-specific parameters. All the configurations are auto saved.

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Adding Super Blocks

Super blocks are curated, published workflows that you add to your workflow as a single block. When your workflow runs, the super block runs its whole workflow as one step.
  1. In the editor sidebar, click the Super blocks tab next to Blocks.
  2. Find a super block in the list, or type in Search super blocks.
  3. Drag the super block onto the canvas, between the blocks where it should run.
  4. Click the new block and fill in its input fields. Like other blocks, the fields accept variables such as {{input.keyword}}.

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Defining Workflow Inputs

The Input block defines what data your workflow needs to run. Add input fields that users provide when running the workflow:
  • keyword: Target keyword for SEO workflows
  • url: Website URL to analyze
  • topic: Content topic for generation
Input values flow through the workflow and can be referenced in any block.

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Connecting Blocks

Blocks in a workflow are connected like links in a chain. Each one builds on the results of the previous steps. They execute sequentially from top to bottom, ensuring data flows smoothly through the process. Each block can:
  • Use outputs from earlier steps
  • Reference workflow input variables
  • Pass data to subsequent blocks automatically
As you build, Slate shows which variables and data are available for each block based on its position in the sequence. You can easily map what goes in and what comes out without writing code.

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Example: Using Input and Previous Outputs

A simple content outline workflow: Input Block
  • Variable: keyword
  • User enters: “best CRM software for startups”
Step 1: Google Search Block
  • Uses: {{input.keyword}} to fetch top 10 organic results
  • Output: A list of search results and descriptions
Step 2: LLM Block
  • Prompt example:
  • Here, {{step_1.output}} pulls the output of the Google Search Block, and {{input.keyword}} references the user’s input
  • Output: An AI-generated content outline
Step 3: Text Block (Output)
  • Combines everything into a formatted response:
  • This final block uses both the original input and the processed data from previous steps
By referencing variables like {{input.keyword}} or {{step_1.output}}, you create dynamic, data-driven workflows where every step depends on the one before it.

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Testing Workflows

Click Test All to run your workflow with sample inputs. The test panel shows:
  • Execution status for each block
  • Output data at each step
  • Errors or warnings
Use test runs to verify logic before publishing.

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Testing a Single Block

Test one block at a time to check its output before you run the whole workflow.
  1. Click a block on the canvas to open its settings panel.
  2. Click Test in the panel header. The panel switches to the Test Result tab.
  3. Wait for the test to finish. To end a running test, click Stop.
  4. Review the block’s Output and Input on the Test Result tab.
The settings panel has two tabs:
  • Configure: The block’s settings.
  • Test Result: The block’s latest test output. The tab is available once the block has a test result.
The Input and End blocks have no Test button. The Input block has a Test Input tab instead. Enter sample values there and click Save Inputs. If a block uses another step’s output, such as {{step_1.output}}, test that step first. Otherwise, Slate shows Action Required and lists the steps to test. Slate saves block test outputs in your browser. When you reopen the editor in the same browser, Slate restores the latest test outputs. Test outputs don’t carry over to another browser or device.

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Saving and Publishing

Workflows auto-save as you build. Draft workflows: Can be edited freely. Drafts appear in your workspace’s Workflows list. Click Publish when your workflow is ready to use in production. Publishing creates a new numbered version — your draft stays editable and the live version is unaffected until you publish again. Published workflows:
  • Available to run live and in Sheets.
  • Each publish creates an immutable version snapshot.
  • You can roll back to any previous version at any time.
See Workflow Versioning for full details on version history, redrafting, and rollback.

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What’s Next

Now that you know how to build workflows: