Flow Setup Essentials

What Are Flows?

In Fastn, flows are sequences of steps that perform a complete operation from start to finish. These steps can include actions like API connectors, condition-based switches, loops, and even custom code. Flows power automation by letting you define how data should move and be processed across your systems.

Accessing Flows

You can view and manage all your existing flows by navigating to the Flows section from the left-hand menu in your project workspace.

You can click on the Templates button to access the section that presents several pre-built templates that we have for different connections and actions.

Click on Create Flow to select a starting point for the type of flow you want to create:

Flow Types

Fastn supports multiple types of flows, based on the event or trigger that starts them:

i. On API Request

Kick off a flow whenever an external system makes an API call to Fastn. This is perfect for building seamless integrations between Fastn and your internal tools or external services. Whether you're triggering actions from a custom app or automating backend operations, this option gives you full control via a simple API endpoint.

ii. On App Event

Let your flow respond to what's happening in your favorite apps; like Salesforce, Shopify, or HubSpot. When something changes (like a new lead, order, or form submission), Fastn can jump into action automatically.

iii. On Webhook Event

Flows can listen for incoming webhooks and act instantly when data is received. This trigger is perfect when you want Fastn to respond to external systems in real-time; whether you're syncing customer updates, processing transactions, or handling alerts from other platforms.

iv. On Schedule

Use this trigger to run flows automatically at specific times; whether that’s every hour, once a day, once a week, or on a custom schedule you define. It’s perfect for tasks that need to happen regularly, like sending reports, syncing data, or cleaning up old records. Just set it once, and Fastn will handle it from there.

v. On Chat Message

Trigger flows based on new messages from your users. This is especially useful for chatbot interactions, support flows, or conversational interfaces where a message can kick off a series of automated actions; all while keeping the experience personal and responsive.