# Workflow Packages
> v0.30.2
Workflow packages bundle a workflow definition, stage configuration, and
optional custom surfaces into a single `.pkg` file. They can be exported
from one instance and imported into another.
## Concepts
A **workflow** is a multi-stage process (intake form → AI chat → human
review → completion). Each stage has a **surface** that renders the UI:
built-in surfaces (form, chat, review) or a custom package surface via
`surface_pkg_id`.
## Exporting a Workflow
```
GET /api/v1/admin/workflows/:id/export
```
Returns a `.pkg` ZIP with:
```
manifest.json workflow manifest (type: "workflow")
js/ surface assets (if the workflow references package surfaces)
script.star optional Starlark handlers
```
The manifest includes the full workflow definition and all stages:
```json
{
"id": "onboarding-flow",
"title": "Employee Onboarding",
"type": "workflow",
"version": "1.0.0",
"workflow_definition": {
"name": "Employee Onboarding",
"slug": "employee-onboarding",
"description": "New hire onboarding workflow",
"entry_mode": "public_link",
"stages": [
{
"name": "Intake",
"ordinal": 0,
"stage_mode": "form_only",
"history_mode": "full",
"auto_transition": false,
"form_template": {
"fields": [
{ "key": "full_name", "type": "text", "label": "Full Name", "required": true },
{ "key": "email", "type": "email", "label": "Email", "required": true },
{ "key": "department", "type": "select", "label": "Department",
"options": ["Engineering", "Sales", "Marketing"] }
]
}
},
{
"name": "AI Orientation",
"ordinal": 1,
"stage_mode": "chat_only",
"history_mode": "full",
"persona_id": null
},
{
"name": "Manager Review",
"ordinal": 2,
"stage_mode": "review",
"history_mode": "summary",
"surface_pkg_id": "review-dashboard"
}
]
}
}
```
## Importing a Workflow
```
POST /api/v1/admin/packages/install
Content-Type: multipart/form-data
file=@onboarding-flow.pkg
```
The install handler detects `type: "workflow"` and:
1. Creates the workflow from `workflow_definition`
2. Creates all stages with their configuration
3. Preserves `surface_pkg_id` references (the referenced package must
be installed separately)
4. Sets the workflow as inactive (admin activates manually)
## Stage Modes
Each stage has a `stage_mode` that determines the built-in surface:
| Mode | Surface | Description |
|------|---------|-------------|
| `chat_only` | Chat | AI conversation with the visitor |
| `form_only` | Form | Structured data collection, no AI |
| `form_chat` | Form + Chat | Form fields alongside AI chat |
| `review` | Review | Human reviewer sees collected data, approve/reject |
## Custom Stage Surfaces (surface_pkg_id)
Any stage can override its built-in surface with a custom package
surface by setting `surface_pkg_id` to an installed package ID.
### How It Works
1. Admin sets `surface_pkg_id` on a stage (via dropdown in stage editor
or API)
2. When a visitor reaches that stage, the workflow template checks for
`surface_pkg_id`
3. If set, it dynamically loads `/surfaces/{pkg_id}/js/main.js`
4. The package JS registers a surface via
`sw.workflow.registerSurface(name, factory)`
5. The surface is mounted into the stage container with context
### Writing a Custom Surface
Create a package with `js/main.js`:
```js
// js/main.js — Custom review dashboard surface
(function() {
sw.workflow.registerSurface('review-dashboard', function(container, ctx) {
// ctx contains:
// channelId — workflow instance channel
// sessionId — visitor session ID
// basePath — API base path
// stageMode — the stage_mode value
// formTemplate — form schema (if applicable)
// totalStages — number of stages in workflow
// currentStage — current stage index (0-based)
container.innerHTML = '
Loading...
';
// Fetch workflow data
sw.workflow.getContext(ctx.channelId).then(function(status) {
container.innerHTML = renderReview(status);
});
return {
mount: function() { /* called when surface attaches */ },
unmount: function() { /* called when surface detaches */ }
};
});
})();
```
Package manifest:
```json
{
"id": "review-dashboard",
"title": "Review Dashboard",
"type": "surface",
"version": "1.0.0"
}
```
### Setting surface_pkg_id
**Via admin UI:**
Admin → Workflows → select workflow → click Edit on a stage →
Custom Surface Package dropdown → select a package.
The dropdown shows all installed packages of type `surface`, `workflow`,
or `full`. Stages with a custom surface show a `pkg: ` badge in the
stage list.
**Via API:**
```bash
# Set custom surface
curl -X PUT /api/v1/workflows/:wf_id/stages/:stage_id \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{
"name": "Review",
"ordinal": 2,
"stage_mode": "review",
"history_mode": "summary",
"surface_pkg_id": "review-dashboard"
}'
# Clear (revert to built-in)
curl -X PUT /api/v1/workflows/:wf_id/stages/:stage_id \
-d '{ "name": "Review", "ordinal": 2, "stage_mode": "review",
"history_mode": "summary", "surface_pkg_id": null }'
```
Note: stage update is **PUT** (full replace), not PATCH. All stage
fields must be included in the request body.
### Fallback Behavior
- `surface_pkg_id = null` → built-in surface based on `stage_mode`
- `surface_pkg_id` references a missing/disabled package → error logged,
falls back to built-in surface
- Package deleted → `ON DELETE SET NULL` clears the reference
automatically (PostgreSQL FK constraint)
## Starlark Workflow Module
Extensions with the `workflow.access` permission can interact with
workflows from Starlark code.
### workflow.get_definition(workflow_id)
Returns the workflow definition including all stages.
```python
def on_tool_call(tool_name, params):
wf = workflow.get_definition(params["workflow_id"])
# wf: { id, name, slug, stages: [{ name, stage_mode, surface_pkg_id, ... }] }
return {"stages": len(wf["stages"])}
```
### workflow.get_stage_data(channel_id)
Returns the current stage data for a workflow instance.
```python
data = workflow.get_stage_data(channel_id)
# data: { current_stage, stage_data, ... }
```
### workflow.advance(channel_id)
Programmatically advance to the next stage.
```python
workflow.advance(channel_id)
```
### workflow.reject(channel_id, reason)
Reject the current stage and go back.
```python
workflow.reject(channel_id, "Missing required information")
```
## Form Template Schema
Stages with `form_only` or `form_chat` mode use `form_template` to
define structured data collection.
### Field Types
| Type | Renders As | Validation |
|------|-----------|------------|
| `text` | Text input | `min_length`, `max_length`, `pattern` |
| `email` | Email input | Format validation |
| `number` | Number input | `min`, `max` |
| `date` | Date picker | `min_date`, `max_date` |
| `select` | Dropdown | `options` array required |
| `textarea` | Multi-line text | `min_length`, `max_length` |
| `checkbox` | Checkbox | — |
| `file` | File upload | — |
### Field Schema
```json
{
"fields": [
{
"key": "full_name",
"type": "text",
"label": "Full Name",
"required": true,
"placeholder": "Enter your name",
"min_length": 2,
"max_length": 100
},
{
"key": "department",
"type": "select",
"label": "Department",
"required": true,
"options": ["Engineering", "Sales", "Marketing", "HR"]
}
]
}
```
### Validation Hooks
Packages with `forms.validate` permission can provide custom validation:
```python
# script.star
def validate(fields, stage_data):
errors = []
if fields.get("email", "").endswith("@competitor.com"):
errors.append({"field": "email", "message": "Invalid email domain"})
return errors # empty list = valid
def on_submit(fields, stage_data):
# Called after validation passes
# Can transform or enrich data before it's saved
return fields
```
## Database Schema
### workflow_stages table
| Column | PG Type | SQLite Type | Description |
|--------|---------|-------------|-------------|
| `id` | `UUID` | `TEXT` | Stage ID |
| `workflow_id` | `UUID` | `TEXT` | Parent workflow FK |
| `ordinal` | `INTEGER` | `INTEGER` | Stage order (0-based) |
| `name` | `TEXT` | `TEXT` | Display name |
| `persona_id` | `UUID` | `TEXT` | AI persona FK (nullable) |
| `assignment_team_id` | `UUID` | `TEXT` | Team assignment FK (nullable) |
| `form_template` | `JSONB` | `TEXT` | Form field schema |
| `stage_mode` | `TEXT` | `TEXT` | `chat_only\|form_only\|form_chat\|review` |
| `history_mode` | `TEXT` | `TEXT` | `full\|summary\|fresh` |
| `auto_transition` | `BOOLEAN` | `INTEGER` | Auto-advance on completion |
| `transition_rules` | `JSONB` | `TEXT` | Conditional transition config |
| `surface_pkg_id` | `TEXT` | `TEXT` | Custom surface package FK (nullable) |
| `created_at` | `TIMESTAMPTZ` | `TEXT` | Creation timestamp |
The `surface_pkg_id` column has a foreign key to `packages(id)` with
`ON DELETE SET NULL` in PostgreSQL. SQLite enforces FK constraints via
`PRAGMA foreign_keys = ON`.