Block: Start Block — Zelaxy Docs

The Start block is the unified entry point for a workflow. It collects structured inputs and powers manual runs, API executions, and deployed chat experiences from a single block. Reach for it whenever a workflow needs a defined starting point with typed input fields.

Overview

Property	Value
Type	`start_trigger`
Category	triggers
Color	`#34B5FF`

When to Use

Start any workflow that needs a single, consistent entry point
Define structured input fields that callers must provide
Power manual test runs from the editor
Accept API executions with a typed request body
Serve deployed chat experiences that share the same input schema
Pass user-provided values (input, conversationId, files) downstream to later blocks

Configuration

Inputs (Input Format)

The inputFormat sub-block lets you add custom fields beyond the built-in input, conversationId, and files fields. Each custom field becomes part of the workflow's input schema and is available to downstream blocks.

Inputs & Outputs

Inputs: none declared on the block (inputs: {}) — values arrive from the run context (chat, manual, or API) via the configured input format
Outputs: none declared on the block (outputs: {}) — provided fields such as input, conversationId, and files are referenced by downstream blocks

Tools

The Start block has no tool integrations (tools.access: []). It is a trigger block — it initiates execution from the run context (chat, manual, or API) rather than calling an external service.

YAML Example

start:
  type: start_trigger
  name: "Start"
  inputs:
    inputFormat:
      - name: "input"
        type: "string"
  connections:
    outgoing:
      - target: agent-1

Start Block