> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.cogniagent.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Running Workflows

> Learn the general process to execute any workflow in CogniAgent

Once you've configured and saved all the nodes in your application, you can initiate the process directly from the workflow canvas. This assumes any necessary starting data is already saved within the initial Event node (e.g., On Start) or will be provided immediately upon starting.

## 1. Start the Execution

<Steps>
  <Step title="Click the Start Button">
    Locate the blue **Start** button at the bottom of the workflow canvas.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Execution Begins">
    The workflow will immediately execute the first Event node, loading the initial data.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Workflow Pauses (if needed)">
    Execution will proceed automatically until it hits a node that requires external input, such as a **Human Step** node waiting on a person or a **Wait & Combine** node waiting for a branch to complete.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## 2. Complete Necessary External Steps

If the workflow hits a Human Step node, the person it reached must respond before the process continues:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Check the channel" icon="bell">
    Look for the message sent by the workflow (for example, an approval request in your email inbox or Slack)
  </Card>

  <Card title="Reply" icon="reply">
    Reply in plain words (for example, approve the request or send your answer). The node reads the reply and resumes the workflow on the matching branch.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## 3. Verify Automated Completion

Once the external step is satisfied, the rest of the Action nodes execute automatically.

<Tip>
  Use the **Execution History** panel to monitor the progress of your workflow and verify that all nodes completed successfully.
</Tip>