# Designing a Flow

At Fastn, flows are built using a set of core elements that define the structure and behavior of your automations. 

> These include components such as the starting point of a flow, the steps it performs, how data moves between those steps, and how different services are connected.

## Flow Elements in Fastn

These are the building blocks you’ll use to create automations in Fastn. Each element plays a specific role in making your flows powerful, flexible, and easy to maintain.

{% hint style="info" %}
You can select any flow component you want from the right navigation bar, or click the **plus (+)** icon in your flow steps and search for the component name to add it.
{% endhint %}

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="image">Cover image</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Connector</strong></td><td>Connect to external apps and APIs to send or receive data seamlessly.</td><td><a href="designing-a-flow/connectors">connectors</a></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Database</strong></td><td>Query or update Fastn’s internal database using SQL commands.</td><td><a href="designing-a-flow/database">database</a></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Data Mapper</strong></td><td>Transform and map data between steps or formats within your flow.</td><td><a href="designing-a-flow/database">database</a></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Variables</strong></td><td>Store and reuse dynamic values, flags, or configurations across steps.</td><td><a href="designing-a-flow/variables">variables</a></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Switch</strong></td><td>Add conditional logic to branch your flow based on data or rules.</td><td><a href="designing-a-flow/switch">switch</a></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Loop</strong></td><td>Repeat steps for a list of items or until a condition is met.</td><td><a href="designing-a-flow/loop">loop</a></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Download File</strong></td><td>Retrieve files from URLs to use or process within your automation.</td><td><a href="designing-a-flow/download-file">download-file</a></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Converter</strong></td><td>Change data formats for compatibility.</td><td><a href="designing-a-flow/converter">converter</a></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Custom Code</strong></td><td>Add logic with custom scripts in JavaScript, Python, or C#.</td><td><a href="designing-a-flow/custom-code">custom-code</a></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Flow Response</strong></td><td>Define structured success or error responses when the flow ends.</td><td><a href="designing-a-flow/flow-response-success-and-error">flow-response-success-and-error</a></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><strong>AI Agent</strong></td><td>Build intelligent, multi-step automations powered by your chosen model.</td><td><a href="ai-agent-and-ai-action-in-flows#building-your-ai-agent-on-chat-request">#building-your-ai-agent-on-chat-request</a></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><strong>AI Action</strong></td><td>Trigger quick, single-step actions using natural language prompts.</td><td><a href="ai-agent-and-ai-action-in-flows#ai-action">#ai-action</a></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Logger</strong></td><td>Record custom messages or data for debugging and monitoring.</td><td><a href="designing-a-flow/logger">logger</a></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Trigger</strong></td><td>Initiate a flow whenever a specific event occurs in a connected app.</td><td><a href="designing-a-flow/trigger">trigger</a></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Summarization Chain</strong></td><td>Condense large documents, chat logs, or articles into short, readable outputs while maintaining key context and intent.</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>