Creating an Instance
A ProcessThread is the concrete, editable copy of a Process that you open in the canvas. Think of it as a checked-out working copy — like a branch in version control. You design and run ProcessThreads, not Processes.
What Is a ProcessThread?
While a Process is the blueprint, a ProcessThread is a live working copy. It holds the actual graph data (nodes, edges, configuration), its own execution history, and a lock to prevent concurrent edits.
You can create multiple threads from the same Process version — useful for parallel development, A/B testing different logic, or maintaining a stable production thread while experimenting in a sandbox thread.
Creating a Thread
Select a Process
Click the Process in the centre panel. The ProcessThreads panel on the right populates.
Click + New Thread
The New Thread dialog opens. Enter a name (e.g., "Production", "Sandbox", "Sprint 12 Test").
Choose Source
You can start the thread from a blank graph (inherits the process's trigger type but no nodes) or copy from an existing thread (duplicates the graph from another thread in the same process).
Lock for Editing
New threads are created unlocked. Click Lock for Editing to acquire the edit lock before opening the canvas.
Thread Status Reference
| Status | Meaning | Can Execute? | Can Edit? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Draft | Work in progress, not published | Yes (manual only) | Yes (if locked) |
| Locked | Checked out by a specific user | Yes (manual only) | Yes (lock holder only) |
| Published | Active and trigger-enabled | Yes (all trigger types) | No (read-only) |
| Archived | Retired thread | No | No |
The Lock Model Explained
The locking mechanism prevents two users from saving conflicting changes to the same workflow graph. The rules are:
- Only one user holds the lock at a time
- The lock is stored server-side with the user's identity and a timestamp
- Locks auto-expire after 4 hours of no save activity
- An admin can forcibly release a lock via the thread overflow menu → Force Unlock
- If you open a thread without the lock, the canvas is in Read-Only mode — all editing controls are hidden