Visual Editor Overview: Anatomy and Essential Tools

The flow editor is where you build, test, and maintain your automations in RapidPro.app. Knowing what each area of the editor does helps you move faster, avoid mistakes, and troubleshoot flows with confidence.

Reading time
6–7 min read
Category
Flows
Scope
Updated on: 18/12/2025

Find your way around the flow editor in minutes

If you just need the essentials, follow this:

  1. Open a flow from the Flows list
  2. Identify the key areas: flow name, Create Message, Start Flow, and the ☰ menu
  3. Use the ☰ menu for Results, Edit, Copy, Export/Import, and Revision history
  4. Open the simulator (phone icon) and test after each major change

You’re done. You can now build, manage, and test flows confidently from the editor.

Step-by-Step Process

1
Open a flow in the editor

  1. Log in to your RapidPro.app workspace.
  2. Go to the Flows section.
  3. Click any existing flow (or create a new one).
  4. The flow editor opens automatically.

[CAPTURE: Flows list with a flow selected and the flow editor open.]

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Tip: If you’re new to flows, start with a simple “ask one question” flow and expand gradually.

2
Identify the key parts of the flow editor

When the editor opens, you’ll typically see these elements:

  1. Flow name
    • Use the flow name to confirm you’re editing the correct flow.
    • You can rename it from the editor’s ☰ menu.

[CAPTURE: Top bar showing the flow name clearly visible.]

  1. Create Message (add a new node)
    • Click Create Message to add a node to the canvas.
    • Configure the node (Send Message, Update Contact, Wait for Response, etc.).
    • Save the node.

[CAPTURE: “Create Message” button highlighted and a new Send Message node being created.]

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Tip: A common pattern is Send Message → Wait for Response → Update Contact, but you can start with other actions depending on your use case.

  1. Start Flow (start contacts in the flow)
    • Click Start Flow.
    • Select specific contacts or one/more groups.
    • If available, apply targeting filters such as:
      • Contacts not currently in another flow (prevents interruption)
      • Have not started this flow in the last 90 days (reduces repeats)
      • Inactive contacts (helps target a quieter audience)

[CAPTURE: Start Flow dialog showing contact/group selection and the available checkboxes/filters.]

⚠️
Warning: A contact can’t interact with two Messaging flows at the same time. Starting a flow for a contact already active elsewhere can interrupt their current run.

  1. Settings menu (☰)
    • Open the ☰ menu to access flow tools like Results, Edit, Copy, Export & Import, and Revision history.

[CAPTURE: Settings menu open showing the list of options.]

3
Use the settings menu (☰) to manage your flow

Open the ☰ menu in the top-right of the editor to access these options:

  1. Results
    • Review what happened in the flow: runs, completion, paths taken, and collected results.
  2. Edit
    • Change flow-level settings like name, keywords/triggers, expiration window, and keyword behavior.
  3. Copy
    • Duplicate the flow to test improvements safely (pilot vs production, translations, A/B tests).
  4. Delete
    • Permanently remove the flow (if deletion is enabled in your environment).
  5. Export & Import
    • Export the flow as JSON for backup/sharing, and import JSON into another workspace.
    • Export/import translations (existing translations only).
  6. Revision history
    • Review changes over time and revert to a prior revision if needed.

[CAPTURE: Menu options shown in the editor (Results / Edit / Copy / Delete / Export & Import / Revision history).]

⚙️
Technical Detail: The flow expiration window controls when a contact is removed from the flow after inactivity. This affects long flows and flows that rely on asynchronous replies.

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Tip: If you’re afraid to change a production flow, use Copy first, test the duplicate, then switch triggers/campaigns to the new version when ready.

⚠️
Warning: If your workspace allows Delete, treat it as irreversible. Always confirm you’re deleting the correct flow.

4
Access the simulator while building

  1. Create at least one node in your flow (if the simulator isn’t visible yet).
  2. Look for the simulator icon (often a phone icon) on the right edge of the editor.
  3. Click it to open the simulator panel and test the flow like a real contact.

[CAPTURE: Flow editor showing the simulator icon (phone) and the simulator panel opened.]

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Tip: Test after every major change—small checks prevent big issues later.

Common Issues & Quick Fixes

Problem: I don’t see the simulator icon.

Fix: Add your first node (the simulator may appear only after the flow has at least one node). Expand your browser window or zoom out (the icon may be hidden on smaller screens). Confirm you’re in the flow editor, not the Flows list.

Problem: I started a flow but contacts didn’t receive messages.

Fix: Confirm the flow has a valid starting path (the first node is configured and reachable). Check that at least one active channel is connected to the workspace. Use the simulator to test the logic before running it on real contacts.

Problem: I accidentally interrupted contacts in another flow.

Fix: When using Start Flow, always select Contacts not currently in another flow (if available). Consider also targeting contacts who haven’t started this flow recently.

Problem: I’m afraid to edit a production flow.

Fix: Use Copy to duplicate the flow, test the copied version in the simulator, then switch triggers or campaigns to the new version when confident.

Related Resources
Understanding the Fundamentals: Definition, Nodes, and Conversation Logic
Visual Editor Overview: Anatomy and Essential Tools
Handle Inactivity: Define Response Deadlines (Timeouts)