1: Introduction & Setup
      Back to home
      1. Home
      2. 1: Introduction & Setup

      Best Practices for Workflow Design

      Designing effective workflows in Rayven.io is key to building scalable, maintainable, and high-performance solutions. This article shares best practices for organizing workflows, naming conventions, error handling, and performance optimization.

      Overview

      This guide outlines best practices for structuring logic, naming nodes, managing errors, optimizing performance, and testing workflows. These recommendations improve usability for human users and ensure accurate responses when accessed via LLM-powered chatbots.



      Workflow Structure and Organization

      Keep Workflows Modular

      • Break large workflows into smaller, logical components.

      • Use sub-workflows to isolate reusable logic (e.g., validation, notifications).

      • Separate logic paths with clear branching for readability and debugging.

      Group Related Nodes

      • Visually organize workflows by aligning and spacing related nodes.

      • Use Comment Nodes to label sections (e.g., “Input Validation”, “API Sync”).

      • Maintain consistent flow direction (vertical or horizontal) to improve readability.

      Minimize Crossed Lines

      • Avoid overlapping connectors.

      • Use clean branches and spatial layout to reduce visual noise.

      • Keep data flow logical and easy to follow during debugging or reviews.

      Naming Conventions

      Use Descriptive Node Names

      • Name nodes based on what they do and what they interact with.

        • Example: ValidateInputData, SyncToCRM, LogErrorResponse

      Standardize Variable Naming

      • Use consistent naming conventions like camelCase or snake_case.

        • Example: deviceId, alertMessage, crmPayload

      • Prefix variables to indicate source or function (e.g., sensorValue, userInput, apiResponse).

      Use Comments Effectively

      • Add short comments to explain complex logic or conditional branches.

      • Clarify assumptions about data structures, especially for third-party APIs or custom payloads.

      Error Handling and Resilience

      Always Validate External Inputs

      • Check all incoming data for null, undefined, or unexpected formats.

      • Use Expression Nodes for type checks, range validation, or value sanitization.

      Handle API Failures Gracefully

      • Use Conditional Nodes to check HTTP status codes.

      • Implement retry logic for timeout errors and 5xx responses.

      • Add fallback paths for essential workflows to continue without full failure.

      Log Errors for Debugging

      • Log error messages, payloads, and related UIDs using dedicated logging nodes or write-to-table operations.

      • Include timestamp and workflow name in error records.

      Monitor with Analytics

      • Enable node analytics to track success/failure rates and execution times.

      • Use trends in analytics to identify bottlenecks or recurring errors.

      Performance Optimization

      Avoid Redundant Writes

      • Only write to databases or send updates when data has changed.

      • Use Expression Nodes to compare old vs new values before writing.

      Reduce API Load

      • Batch requests to third-party systems where possible.

      • Cache config or reference data instead of calling APIs repeatedly.

      Limit Incoming Data

      • Filter out unnecessary fields early using Transformation or Expression Nodes.

      • Set record or size limits on incoming payloads where supported.

      Leverage UID Scoping

      • Use the UID search feature in Debug Mode to isolate and trace specific events or data packets.

      Testing and Deployment

      Test Incrementally

      • Build and test workflows step-by-step.

      • Use mock data or sample payloads to verify logic in isolated branches.

      Use Version Control

      • Clone workflows before making significant edits.

      • Add notes to record changes, assumptions, or logic updates.

      Deploy to Sandbox First

      • Run new or updated workflows in a test environment before pushing to production.

      • Validate outputs, triggers, and integrations under realistic conditions.

      Summary

      Following these best practices ensures that your workflows in Rayven.io are:

      • Easy to read, maintain, and scale

      • Resilient against failure or inconsistent inputs

      • Optimized for performance and resource efficiency

      • Understandable by human operators and LLM-driven support tools

      For support with advanced workflow review or automation strategy, contact the Rayven solutions team.

      Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

      Q: Can I use multiple-workflows to simplify complex flows?
      Yes. Multiple-workflows help encapsulate repeated or reusable logic, making your main workflow easier to manage and scale.

      Q: What’s the best way to debug a specific data input?
      Use the UID search in Debug Mode to trace that input’s path through the entire workflow.

      Q: How should I name nodes and variables?
      Use descriptive, action-oriented names for nodes. For variables, stick to camelCase or snake_case and prefix them by context (e.g., apiResponse, sensorId).

      Q: How do I prevent unnecessary writes to the database or dashboards?
      Compare current vs. previous values using Expression Nodes and only perform write actions if values have changed.

      Q: Can I store and track errors in a table?
      Yes. Use Write to Table nodes to log error messages, timestamps, and identifiers for review or alerting.

      Q: Should I test in production?
      No. Always test workflows in a sandbox first, especially those that trigger external systems or write to live data tables.

      Q: What if my API request times out?
      Use retry logic and fallback paths. Also, check the status code using Conditional Nodes to handle specific errors.