> For clean Markdown of any page, append .md to the page URL.
> For a complete documentation index, see https://docs.meetgail.com/platform/workflows/getting-started/what-are-workflows/llms.txt.
> For AI client integration (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.), connect to the MCP server at https://docs.meetgail.com/_mcp/server.

# What Are Workflows

> An introduction to workflows, who they are for, and the work they can automate for your agency.

A workflow is a set of steps you connect together to get work done automatically.
You decide what should happen, and in what order, and the workflow runs it for you
every time, exactly the same way. No code required.

Think of the routine tasks your agency repeats all day: texting a new lead the
moment they come in, adding them to your contacts, following up on a renewal,
logging a call. A workflow does that busywork for you so your team can spend its
time on the work that needs a person.

## Who workflows are for

Workflows are built for everyone on your team, not just technical staff. You build
them visually by placing steps on a canvas and connecting them, the same way you
might sketch a process on a whiteboard. If you can describe what you want to
happen step by step, you can build a workflow.

* **Agency owners and operators** automate the handoffs that used to rely on
  someone remembering to do them.
* **Producers and account managers** make sure every lead and client gets a fast,
  consistent response.
* **Operations and marketing teams** run outreach, follow-ups, and data cleanup
  without touching a spreadsheet by hand.

## What you can automate

A workflow is made of steps called nodes. Each node does one job, and you chain
them together to build something bigger. Here are a few things the nodes can do:

* **Reach out to people.** Send a text message or an email, place an outbound
  call, or post a message to your team.
* **Manage your data.** Add contacts, build contact lists, and enroll people in
  campaigns.
* **Connect other tools.** Pull and push data with the apps your agency already
  uses, once they are connected in the Marketplace.
* **Make decisions.** Branch down different paths, check conditions, and transform
  data so the workflow reacts to what is actually happening.

For the full menu of steps, see the [Node Reference](/platform/workflows/node-reference).

## A simple example

Imagine a new lead, Sarah Chen, fills out a form on your site. A short workflow can
welcome her without anyone lifting a finger:

* **Start** captures her name and phone number.
* **Send SMS** texts her a friendly welcome.
* **Add Contact** saves her in Gail so an agent can follow up.
* **End** finishes the run.

That is the exact workflow you will build in
[Build Your First Workflow](/platform/workflows/getting-started/build-your-first-workflow).

> **Note**
>
> Start small. A workflow with just a few steps can save real time, and you can
> always add more later.

## Where to go next

#### [How Workflows Run](/platform/workflows/getting-started/how-workflows-run)

See how a workflow moves from its first step to its last.

#### [Build Your First Workflow](/platform/workflows/getting-started/build-your-first-workflow)

Follow a hands-on tutorial and build a working workflow start to finish.

#### [Nodes & Connections](/platform/workflows/core-concepts/nodes-connections)

Learn how steps fit together on the canvas.

#### [Node Reference](/platform/workflows/node-reference)

Browse every step you can add to a workflow.

> Documentation for Gail, the AI platform for financial services. Learn how to set up GailGPT and Gail Agent to automate customer communications for insurance, banking, and finance.