# Quick Start

Create and run your first FlowDrop workflow in 5 minutes.

!!! tip
    This guide assumes you have already [installed FlowDrop](installation.md).

## Step 1: Open the FlowDrop Dashboard

Navigate to **Administration > FlowDrop** (`/admin/flowdrop`).

![FlowDrop dashboard](../screenshots/flowdrop-dashboard.png)

## Step 2: Create a Workflow

1. Click **Workflows** in the navigation, then click **+ Add Workflow**.
2. Enter a **Label** (e.g., "My First Workflow") and an optional **Description**.
3. Click **Save**.

![Workflow listing](../screenshots/workflow-listing.png)

![Add Workflow form](../screenshots/add-workflow-form.png)

## Step 3: Open the Visual Editor

From the workflow listing, open the **List additional actions** dropdown and click **Open in Editor**.

![Open in Editor dropdown](../screenshots/workflow-actions-dropdown.png)

## Step 4: Add Nodes

1. Click the **+** button on the left side of the editor to open the node palette.
2. Browse categories or search for a node.
3. Click on **Text Input** to add it to the canvas.
4. Click **+** again and add a **Logger** node.

![Empty editor canvas](../screenshots/editor-empty-canvas.png)

![Node palette with categories](../screenshots/node-palette-categories.png)

![Two nodes on canvas](../screenshots/two-nodes-unconnected.png)

## Step 5: Connect the Nodes

Draw an edge from the **Text Input** node's output port to the **Logger** node's input port by clicking and dragging between the ports.

![Two nodes connected](../screenshots/visual-editor-workflow.png)

## Step 6: Configure the Nodes

Click on the **Text Input** node to open its configuration panel on the right side. Enter some text in the input field (e.g., "Hello from FlowDrop!").

![Node configuration panel](../screenshots/textinput-config-panel.png)

## Step 7: Save the Workflow

Click **Save** in the editor toolbar.

![Workflow saved](../screenshots/workflow-saved.png)

## Step 8: Execute the Workflow

Now let's run the workflow to see it in action.

1. Navigate to **Administration > FlowDrop > Execute** (`/admin/flowdrop/execute`).
2. Click **Execute Workflow**.
3. Select the workflow you just created from the dropdown.
4. Choose the **Synchronous** orchestrator (runs immediately and returns results).
5. Click **Execute**.

The workflow runs immediately. You will see a pipeline result page showing each node's execution status and output.

## What's Next?

- **[FlowDrop Vocabulary](concepts.md)** — Workflows, nodes, edges, ports, and orchestrators
- **[Your First Workflow](first-workflow.md)** — A more detailed guided tutorial
- **[Visual Editor Guide](../guide/workflows/visual-editor.md)** — Master the editor interface
- **[Troubleshooting](../guide/troubleshooting.md)** — Common issues and solutions
