📌 This article is for users of elvex Classic. Find out which version you're using.
What you'll learn
In this tutorial, you'll learn how to:
Add and configure basic steps and agent steps
Connect steps together in a logical sequence
Test and run your flow
Troubleshoot common issues
Understand when to use basic steps vs. agent steps
By the end of this tutorial, you'll have built a working content research flow that can gather information on any topic, analyze the findings, and produce a structured summary.
Before you start
You should have:
An elvex account with Creator permissions
Basic familiarity with elvex agents and how they work
Understanding of what datasources are (though you won't need any for this tutorial)
What we're building
We'll create a simple content research flow with three steps:
Research step - Gather information about a topic from the web
Analysis step - Analyze and organize the gathered information
Summary step - Create a structured summary with key findings
Step 1: Access the flow builder
Look for the Flows section in the sidebar or main navigation
Click Create New Flow or the + button
Step 2: Set up your flow basics
Name your flow: Click on "Untitled Flow" at the top and rename it to "Content Research Flow"
Add a description: "Researches a topic, analyzes findings, and creates a structured summary"
Set the input: Your flow will need a topic to research, so we'll configure this as a text input
Step 3: Add your first step - Research
Click the + Add Step button on the canvas
Choose Basic Step from the options
Configure the step:
Step name: "Web Research"
Instructions: "Search the web for comprehensive information about the given topic. Focus on finding recent, credible sources and gather key facts, statistics, and expert opinions."
Input: Connect this to your flow's main input
Step 4: Add the analysis step
Click + Add Step below your research step
Choose Agent Step this time
Configure the step:
Step name: "Research Analysis"
Instructions: "You are a research analyst. Take the provided research information and organize it into clear categories: key findings, important statistics, expert opinions, and emerging trends."
Input: Connect this to the output of your "Web Research" step
Step 5: Add the summary step
Click + Add Step below your analysis step
Choose Basic Step
Configure the step:
Step name: "Create Summary"
Instructions: "Create a comprehensive research summary with Executive Summary, Key Findings, Important Statistics, Expert Opinions, and Sources sections. Format the output in clear, professional markdown."
Input: Connect this to the output of your "Research Analysis" step
Step 6: Connect your steps
Research Topic (Input) → Web Research → Research Analysis → Create Summary → Final Output
***To delete a connection click anywhere on the line and hit delete on your keyboard.
Step 7: Test your flow
Click the Test Flow button
Enter a sample research topic, such as "artificial intelligence in healthcare"
Click Run Test
Step 8: Review and refine
Check the output: Does the final summary meet your expectations?
Review each step: Click on individual steps to see their outputs
Identify issues: Look for steps that didn't work as expected
Step 9: Save and use your flow
Click Save Flow
Your flow is now ready to use!
Understanding step types
Basic Steps
Use basic steps for simple, straightforward processing; built-in elvex tools (web browsing, data analysis, etc.); and consistent, repeatable actions.
Agent Steps
Use agent steps for complex reasoning or analysis, consistent personality or expertise, and reusable logic across multiple flows.
Tips for success
Start simple: Begin with basic flows and add complexity gradually
Test frequently: Run tests after adding each step to catch issues early
Be specific: Clear, detailed instructions lead to better results
Iterate: Don't expect perfect results on the first try