Get to Know Flowbuilder: First Steps and Main Actions
If you're taking your first steps in Flowbuilder, it's key to understand where each element is located, what its function is, and how they connect to each other so that your bot works correctly.
In this article we will show you:
How to identify the component menu
What controls appear in each component
How to connect components to each other
What quick actions are available to you
How to easily detect errors before publishing
👉 This content is intended as an introductory guide. For advanced configurations, you will find specific articles per component in our Knowledge Base.
🧭 First Steps in Flowbuilder: Location of Elements
🧩 Component Menu
When you enter Flowbuilder, the side component menu is already visible on the left side of the screen.
If you don't see it at any time:
Enter your flow (if it is an Inbound Flow: Configuration —> Platform —> Bots; there you can select an existing one or Create a Bot. In the case of an Outbound Flow or campaigns, go to Campaigns —> Flow and there you can select between an existing one or Create Flow)
Locate the orange arrow on the left side
Click to display the component menu
From this panel you can drag and drop the components to the central canvas to start building your flow.
🛠️ Component Controls (quick actions on the canvas)
When you add a component and position the mouse over it, different visual controls appear that allow you to work faster:
Select component (⚙️): opens the component configuration
Clone (📃): duplicates the component
Swap (↔️): replaces the component with another without losing the connection
Delete (🗑): removes the component from the flow
Plus sign “+” (➕): allows you to add additional outputs or actions (depending on the component)
💡Tip: Use “Swap component” to save time when you need to change the logic without redoing connections.
🔗 How to connect one component to another?
🧠 Step by step
Place the components you need on the canvas
Locate + in the connection circle at the bottom of the component
Press and hold and drag to the destination component
Release when you see that none of the edges of the components to be connected no longer have red edges.
⚠️ Key hack: detect connection errors in seconds
If a flow has components or buttons that are not connected, Flowbuilder automatically detects it.
At the bottom of the editor you will see a warning icon (!)
By clicking on that icon: Errors are listed You can click on each one Flowbuilder will take you directly to the component with the problem
Errors are listed
You can click on each one
Flowbuilder will take you directly to the component with the problem
👉 This is one of the best shortcuts to review flows before publishing them.
🧩 Components available in Flowbuilder
The components allow you to add logic, automations and integrations to your flow.
Some of the main ones are:
Message
Typing
Customer stage
Evaluate response
Intentions
Smarton
Format
Assignment
HTTP Request
Save field
Conditional
Timeout
Recognition
End of flow
Tag
Location
Conversion API
Businesses
HubSpot Components
💡 Useful tips when working with components
You can copy and paste one or more components by selecting them with Ctrl, using Ctrl + C to copy and Ctrl + V to paste. This is especially useful for reusing similar structures within a flow.
If you have two components already connected, by clicking on the “+” icon that appears between them, the option will open to insert a new component in the middle, without having to delete or redo the existing connection.
📚 In the Atom Knowledge Base you will find a specific article for each component with its configuration and use cases.
⚙️ Special Features
➕ Add Parameter
In several components you can insert dynamic information using Add parameter, with categories such as:
System fields (name, phone, email)
Custom fields
Conversation properties
Agent information
HubSpot properties (with active integration)
This allows you to personalize messages and actions automatically.
✍️ Text formatting and styling
You can improve the conversational experience by applying:
Bold
Italic
Strikethrough
Emojis
⚡ Quick Actions on Flows
From the actions column you can:
View: visualize the flow as an image
Edit: modify flows in draft or with errors
Duplicate: copy existing flows
Simulate: test the flow without generating real conversations
Simulate with Webhooks: using API token
Publish: define validity and activate
Deactivate: stop the flow
✅ General Best Practices
Don't leave buttons disconnected
Make sure each button has a coherent action
Use clear names for the components
Always simulate before publishing
Check the errors icon (!) before activating a flow