> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.fastn.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.fastn.ai/tutorials-1/understanding-flow-types.md).

# Understanding Flow Types

Flows are the backbone of automation and configuration in **Fastn**.

> Each flow type serves a different purpose, from activating new tenants to fetching dynamic lists or managing configuration fields inside widgets.

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="image">Cover image</th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Activation Flow</strong></td><td><em>Initialize tenants, import templates, and register webhooks.</em></td><td><a href="/files/SIBX67b7wv05BgiKgou1">/files/SIBX67b7wv05BgiKgou1</a></td><td><a href="/pages/cpBlTDP8mtslr2svkiVD">/pages/cpBlTDP8mtslr2svkiVD</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Selection Flow</strong></td><td><em>Fetch real-time data to populate dropdowns and selections dynamically.</em></td><td><a href="/files/YfGmF0xaPZ3oWcRLjG9n">/files/YfGmF0xaPZ3oWcRLjG9n</a></td><td><a href="/pages/iE3F2wHenEArBduXuFNN">/pages/iE3F2wHenEArBduXuFNN</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Configuration Flow</strong></td><td><em>Define how users configure, map, and validate fields inside widgets.</em></td><td><a href="/files/qfrLoNy3faBPS87wI7fY">/files/qfrLoNy3faBPS87wI7fY</a></td><td><a href="/pages/lfLDJN0BaGa4Rmc1wrzX">/pages/lfLDJN0BaGa4Rmc1wrzX</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

#### Before You Begin

Make sure you're familiar with:

{% content-ref url="/pages/CJeq2eW6YUecsDPP789v" %}
[Flow Setup Essentials](/flow-setup-essentials.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/CboLD9QAEO4R5OVtet9c" %}
[Connector Types & Setup](/flow-setup-essentials/connecting-apps/connector-types-and-setup.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/vx1OKak9dJskfAs5omp3" %}
[Data Mapping in Flows](/flow-setup-essentials/designing-a-flow/data-mapping-in-flows.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}


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