Flow Studio
Switching to Execution Mode
Execution Mode transforms the canvas from an editing workspace into an execution monitoring console. The canvas becomes read-only, execution controls appear, and the Observer Panel opens automatically.
How to Switch
Click the Execution button in the mode selector segment control in the Top Toolbar. The mode selector shows: Design | Execution.
What Changes When Switching
| Component | In Design Mode | In Execution Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Canvas | Nodes draggable, ports clickable for connections | Read-only — nodes cannot be moved or connected |
| Left Toolbar | Node palette visible and active | Hidden (replaced by execution controls) |
| Top Toolbar | Save, Undo, Redo visible | Run, Pause, Resume, Cancel visible; Save/Undo hidden |
| Right Panel | Node configuration form | Collapsed or shows execution status of selected node |
| Observer Panel | Closed / hidden | Opens automatically on first switch |
| Node borders | Normal (no status colour) | Show status overlay based on last/current execution |
Unsaved Changes Warning
If you switch to Execution Mode with unsaved changes (isDirty: true), a dialog appears:
- Save and Switch — saves the workflow, then switches to Execution Mode
- Switch Without Saving — switches mode but your latest changes are not in the saved graph (the backend runs the last saved version)
- Cancel — stays in Design Mode
Backend Runs the Saved Version
When you click Run, the backend executes the last saved version of the workflow graph. If you have unsaved changes, switch to Design Mode, save first, then switch back to Execution Mode. This ensures your latest changes are included in the execution.
Switching Back to Design
Click Design in the mode selector to return to the editing view. If an execution is still running, a prompt asks whether to cancel it or let it continue in the background while you edit. If you let it continue, you can switch back to Execution Mode to resume monitoring.