Last updated: March 2026 Category: Flows
Overview
This guide walks you through building a flow from start to finish. You will learn how to choose a starting point, name your flow, add a trigger, build a chain of actions and controls on the visual canvas, and activate your flow.
Prerequisites
Access to the BeyondCart dashboard
At least one communication channel configured
Familiarity with flow concepts (see Flows Overview)
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1 — Start a New Flow
Navigate to Flows in the left menu.
Click "Create Flow" in the top-right corner.
You are presented with two options:
Start from Template — Pick a pre-built template (Welcome Series, Abandoned Cart, etc.) to get a head start.
Start from Scratch — Begin with a blank canvas.
[Screenshot: Flow creation dialog showing template options and a "Blank Flow" option]
Step 2 — Name Your Flow
Enter a clear, descriptive name for your flow. Good examples:
"Welcome Series – New App Users"
"Abandoned Cart – 1 Hour Reminder"
"Post-Purchase Follow-Up"
You can rename the flow at any time from the flow editor.
Step 3 — Add a Trigger
Every flow needs exactly one trigger — the event or condition that causes users to enter the flow.
The trigger node is the first node on the canvas. Click it to configure.
Choose a trigger type:
Event — Fires when a user performs a specific action (e.g., page_view, add_to_cart, purchase, cart_abandoned, wishlist_add).
User Milestone — Fires when a user reaches a threshold (e.g., total orders hits 5, LTV reaches $500, a metafield matches a value).
Scheduled — Fires on a recurring schedule (daily, weekly, or custom cron).
Manual — Fires when you manually push users into the flow.
Configure the trigger's parameters (event name, threshold values, schedule time, etc.).
[Screenshot: Trigger configuration panel showing Event trigger options]
Step 4 — Build the Node Chain
With the trigger in place, build out the flow by adding nodes. Click the "+" button below any node to add the next step.
Available node types:
Actions — Send Push Notification, Update User, Manage Segment Membership, Send Webhook.
Delays — Wait for a specified amount of time (minutes, hours, or days).
Conditions — IF/ELSE branches that split users based on criteria.
Splits — Divide users by percentage for A/B testing.
Goals — Mark a conversion point for tracking.
Exits — Remove the user from the flow.
Drag and drop nodes on the canvas to rearrange them. Connect nodes by dragging from one node's output to another node's input.
[Screenshot: Flow editor canvas with a trigger, delay, condition, and two push notification branches]
Step 5 — Configure Each Node
Click any node to open its configuration panel on the right side. Fill in the required fields:
For a Send Push Notification action: write the title, body, select an image, and add personalization variables like
{{user.first_name}}or{{trigger.product.title}}.For a Delay node: set the duration (e.g., 1 hour, 3 days).
For a Condition node: define the IF criteria and the ELSE path.
Step 6 — Review the Flow
Before activating, walk through the entire node chain visually:
Confirm the trigger is correct.
Verify each action's content and settings.
Check that delays and conditions make logical sense.
Ensure every branch has a clear endpoint (an action, goal, or exit).
Step 7 — Activate the Flow
Click the "Activate" button in the top-right corner of the editor.
Confirm in the dialog that appears.
The flow status changes to Active and begins processing users immediately.
If you are not ready to go live, click "Save as Draft" instead.
Key Concepts
The canvas is drag-and-drop. The flow editor uses a visual canvas (powered by React Flow) where you drag, drop, and connect nodes.
One trigger per flow. Each flow has exactly one trigger. If you need different triggers, create separate flows.
Branching is unlimited. You can create as many condition branches and splits as needed.
Tips and Best Practices
Start simple. A trigger, a delay, and one action is a perfectly valid flow. Add complexity as you learn what works.
Use templates for common scenarios. Templates save time and follow proven marketing patterns.
Test before activating. Save as Draft and review the entire node chain before going live.
Name nodes descriptively. Click any node and give it a custom label (e.g., "Wait 1 Hour" or "Check if VIP") so the canvas is easy to read at a glance.
FAQ
Q: Can I edit a flow while it is active? A: Yes, but changes only affect users who enter the flow after the edit. Users already in progress continue on the original path.
Q: What happens if I delete a node that has users waiting on it? A: Users waiting on a deleted node are moved to the next connected node. If no next node exists, they exit the flow.
Q: Can I revert a flow to a previous version? A: Flow versioning is not currently available. We recommend duplicating a flow before making major changes so you have a backup.
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