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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 (formats final output)
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, Google AI Overview, Generate Image)
  • SEO (Find related keywords, Web Research)
  • Semrush (Keyword Overview, Domain Overview, Backlink Overview)
  • 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
  • Test All: Run workflow with test inputs
  • Settings: Configure workflow metadata
  • Publish: Make workflow available for use
  • History: View previous versions

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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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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:
Based on {{step_1.output}}, create a content outline for {{input.keyword}}.
  • 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:
## Content Outline for {{input.keyword}}

{{step_2.output}}
  • 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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Saving and Publishing

Workflows auto-save as you build. Draft workflows: Visible only to you, can be edited freely Click Publish when your workflow is ready to use in production. Published workflows:
  • Publish the workflow to run it live.
  • Published workflows will be available in Sheets.
  • Users can modify published versions and it will be auto saved. So make sure to create a copy before editing live workflows.

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What’s Next

Now that you know how to build workflows: