Using Workflows

Run existing automation apps built by your team

Getting started as a user

Using workflows in Nonlinear is simple - your team has already built the automation apps, and you just need to run them. Whether you’re processing submittals, analyzing specs, or extracting data from RFPs, you’ll find pre-built workflows ready to use.

There are two ways to use workflows: through our web app or by emailing our AI agent.

Method 1: Web App

1. Browse available workflows

   Navigate to our app at www.nonlinear.build, sign in, and browse workflows shared by your team or imported from our community.

2. Select a workflow

   Click on the workflow that matches your task (e.g., “Submittal Review”, “RFP Analysis”).

3. Provide inputs

   Upload files, enter text, or provide other inputs as shown in the workflow preview.

4. Run and get results

   Click Run and wait for the automation to process your inputs and generate results.

5. Download or share results

   Copy text outputs, download generated files, or share results with your team.

Method 2: Email Agent

For users with registered accounts, you can simply email [e-mail] to run workflows using natural language.

1. Email your request

   Send an email to [e-mail] describing what you need in plain English (e.g., “Please review the attached submittal against the attached spec for compliance”).

2. Include all necessary inputs

   Attach files, paste text, or provide all information the workflow needs to run successfully.

3. Agent processes your request

   Our AI agent will identify the best workflow for your task and run it with your provided inputs.

4. Receive results via email

   Get workflow outputs delivered directly to your inbox as attachments or formatted text, along with a link to open the workflow in our web app.

Email tips:

• Forward existing threads: You can forward email conversations or reply to previous agent emails
• Be specific: Clearly describe what you need (e.g., “Extract key dates from this contract”)
• Include attachments: Attach PDFs, documents, or other files the workflow needs
• Provide context: Mention project names, deadlines, or other relevant details

Viewing past executions

You can review all previous workflow runs to track your automation history and reuse successful inputs.

1. Navigate to workflow

   Click on any workflow in the web app to open its details page.

2. Open the Preview tab

   Switch to the “Preview” tab to see the workflow interface and your execution history.

3. Browse execution history

   In the left panel, you’ll see a list of your past executions with:

   • Status indicators: Success or error states for each run
   • Timestamps: When each execution was performed
4. View execution details

   Click on any past execution to see:

   • Input files and data: What was provided to the workflow
   • Output results: What the workflow generated
   • Run duration: How long each execution took to complete
   • Error details: Any issues that occurred during processing

This execution history helps you:

• Reuse successful inputs: Copy settings from previous successful runs
• Compare results: See how different inputs affect outputs

Tips for best results

• Check file quality: Ensure PDFs are readable and not corrupted
• Review outputs: Always verify automated results before final use
• Save successful patterns: Note what inputs work well for future requests

Getting help

• Workflow descriptions: Read the description to understand what each workflow does
• Input guidance: Look for placeholder text and help tips in input fields
• Contact builders: Reach out to workflow creators for questions or improvements
• Request new workflows: Ask your team to build automations for recurring tasks