5.6 Workflow Canvas Guide
The Workflow Canvas is the core interaction area of the Pop Workflow System.
Here, you will complete almost all visual automation building actions:
- Dragging nodes
- Connecting flows
- Adjusting layout
- Box selection & multi‑selection
- Viewing runtime status
- Managing complex workflow structure layers
This chapter will help you fully master canvas usage skills and build large workflows more efficiently.
🖼 1. Basic Canvas Operations
1. Drag nodes onto the canvas
Drag from the Node Panel on the left to create a new node.
Supported:
- Drag to any position
- Auto‑increment name for duplicates
- Auto‑center on empty canvas
2. Connect nodes (Edges)
Each node has input ports and output ports.
Drag from output → input to create a connection.
Pop’s Smart Edge System supports:
- Auto‑detect data type
- Auto‑prevent circular dependencies
- Conditional nodes auto‑create True/False branches
- Invalid drags bounce back safely
3. Move nodes
Drag the node directly.
Supports:
- Move single
- Move multiple
- Snap to grid
- Hold Shift for horizontal/vertical lock
4. Canvas Zoom & Navigation
Use mouse wheel or trackpad:
- Scroll: zoom in/out
- Right‑mouse drag: pan
- Double‑click empty space: auto‑center
Toolbar includes:
- Fit to screen
- Zoom In / Zoom Out
- Reset View
🔲 2. Node Selection & Batch Actions
1. Single Select
Click to select.
2. Multi‑select
Three ways:
- Hold Shift and click
- Hold Cmd / Ctrl and drag
- Drag a selection box
3. Batch Actions
Selected nodes allow:
- Delete
- Copy
- Move
- Group
- Convert to Module
📦 3. Node Grouping (Group)
A Group is a visual organization method and does not affect logic.
Useful for:
- Structuring complex canvases
- Separating areas like “Data Prep”, “AI Processing”, “Rendering Output”
- Improving workflow readability
To group:
- Multi‑select nodes
- Right‑click → Create Group
Groups support:
- Rename
- Color style
- Collapse/expand
- Move as a whole
🔧 4. Node Properties (Inspector)
When a node is selected, the right panel shows:
- Node name
- Inputs
- Config fields
- Outputs
- Variable settings
- Node description
Different node types display different forms:
- AI model nodes show model, temperature, prompt, tool‑use
- HTTP nodes show Method / Headers / Body
- File nodes show path / format / content
- Conditional nodes show PSL or rule expression
The Inspector is fully extensible and will support more fields in the future.
🔁 5. Undo / Redo
Pop Workflow supports complete history:
- Cmd + Z: Undo
- Cmd + Shift + Z: Redo
Supports:
- Add nodes
- Delete nodes
- Edit config
- Move nodes
- Edit edges
- Group / ungroup
🧪 6. Run & Debug
1. Run a single node
Right‑click a node → Run this node
Useful for:
- Testing input
- Viewing output structure
- Debugging PSL
Results appear in the bottom log panel.
2. Run entire workflow
Click the toolbar ▶ Run Workflow.
Visual feedback:
- Executing nodes highlight
- Success nodes turn green
- Failed nodes turn red with messages
🧭 7. Tips for Managing Large Canvases
These tips help when you have 20+ nodes.
✔ Use Groups for visual structure
Example:
[Data Prep] [AI Processing] [Document Generation] [Publish Output]
✔ Use Modules for logic encapsulation
✔ Keep a consistent left‑to‑right or top‑to‑bottom layout
✔ Use colors to mark node categories
✔ Keep node names clear
Example:
Extract Title
Format as JSON
Generate Summary (AI)
Write to Database
Generate Charts
🔍 8. Search & Jump
Canvas supports searching by:
- Node name
- Node type
- Node notes
And offers auto‑jump to target.
📝 9. Node Annotations
You may insert free‑floating text notes:
- Flow explanation
- Design documentation
- Reminders
- TODOs
Notes do not affect workflow logic.
🎯 10. Summary
The Workflow Canvas is the core of Pop’s visual automation system. Through it you can:
- Organize flows
- Configure nodes
- Debug logic
- Manage complex workflows
- Integrate with Layout & App Publishing
Mastering the canvas will greatly enhance productivity, especially for large AI workflows and business processes.