Workflow Creation Interface
NEEDS_IMAGE Access the workflow creation interface by:- Navigate to the Continue Hub
- Click âNew Agentâ or use the â+ New Workflowâ button
- Choose âWorkflowâ as the agent type
Workflow Configuration
Basic Information
Workflow Metadata
Name: Display name for your workflow (required)
- Used in the workflow selector dropdown
- Should be descriptive and concise
- Example: âCreate Custom Ticketâ, âFix TypeScript Errorsâ
- Helps team members understand the workflowâs purpose
- Displayed in workflow listings and previews
- Automatically created from the workflow name
- Can be customized if needed
- Must be unique within your organization/account
Core Configuration
Essential Settings
Prompt (Required): The main instructions for the AI agent
- This is the core logic of your workflow
- Can include variable placeholders
- Should be specific and actionable
- Example: âGiven the following user request, create a GitHub issue with proper labels and assigneesâ
- Optional - defaults to organization/account settings
- Can specify different models for different workflows
- Choose based on task complexity and requirements
Advanced Configuration
Tools Integration
Tool Selection
Configure which tools your workflow can access:Built-in Tools:
- File system operations
- Git commands
- Code analysis tools
- Web search capabilities
- Format:
owner/package-name
for all tools from a server - Format:
owner/package-name:tool-name
for specific tools - Examples:
continuedev/filesystem
,anthropic/mcp-server-git:commit
Rules and Context
Rule Configuration
Rules: Predefined context and constraints
- Coding standards and style guides
- Organization-specific policies
- Security and compliance requirements
- Format:
owner/rule-name
(e.g.,myorg/typescript-standards
)
- Consistent output across workflows
- Reduced prompt engineering
- Organizational best practices enforcement
Workflow File Structure
Workflows are stored as Markdown files with YAML frontmatter:Creation Workflow
Step-by-Step Process
Workflow Creation Steps
- Start with the Sidebar: Configure basic metadata and settings
- Write the Prompt: Develop clear, actionable instructions
- Select Tools: Choose appropriate tools for the task
- Add Rules: Include relevant organizational rules
- Configure Model: Select optimal AI model if needed
- Preview: Use the preview tab to see the final configuration
- Test: Run the workflow on a test repository
- Publish: Save and make available to your team
Form Interface
NEEDS_IMAGE The workflow creation form provides:Left Sidebar
Configuration Panel:
- Name and description fields
- Model selector with organization models
- Tools multi-select with MCP integration
- Rules multi-select with validation
- Visibility and permissions settings
Main Editor
Content Editor:
- Tabbed interface (Markdown/Preview)
- Syntax highlighting
- Real-time preview
- Auto-sync between form fields and markdown
Validation and Testing
Quality Assurance
Automatic Validation:
- YAML frontmatter syntax checking
- Required field validation
- Tool reference validation
- Rule slug format verification
- Test with the Continue CLI first
- Start with simple, known-working scenarios
- Validate on multiple repository types
- Get team feedback before wide deployment
Sharing and Collaboration
Visibility Options
Access Control
Public: Available to all Continue Hub users
- Discoverable in community workflows
- Can be forked and modified by others
- Good for open-source contributions
- Shared across team members
- Maintains organizational standards
- Can include proprietary logic
- Personal workflows and experiments
- Can be promoted to organization later
Version Management
Workflows support versioning - updates create new versions while maintaining backward compatibility for existing automations.
Best Practices
Prompt Design
Effective Prompting
Be Specific: Include exact requirements and constraints
- Bad: âFix the bugsâ
- Good: âFix TypeScript compilation errors in the src/ directory, ensuring all type annotations are correctâ
- Project structure expectations
- Coding standards to follow
- Integration requirements
- Expected outputs
- Quality criteria
- Testing requirements
Tool Selection
Tool Strategy
Principle of Least Privilege: Only include necessary tools
- Reduces potential for unintended actions
- Improves security posture
- Simplifies troubleshooting
- Start with built-in tools
- Add specific MCP tools as needed
- Consider tool interactions and dependencies
Organizational Guidelines
Team Workflows
Naming Conventions: Establish consistent naming patterns
- Use descriptive, action-oriented names
- Include context about the workflowâs purpose
- Follow team/organization naming standards
- Document expected inputs and outputs
- Explain any prerequisites or setup requirements
- Provide usage examples
- Test on representative repositories
- Validate with different team members
- Monitor performance and adjust as needed
Troubleshooting
Common Issues
YAML Parsing Errors
YAML Parsing Errors
Symptoms: Configuration fails to save or loadSolutions:
- Check YAML syntax in the preview tab
- Ensure proper indentation and structure
- Validate special characters are properly escaped
- Use the form interface to avoid syntax errors
Tool Reference Errors
Tool Reference Errors
Symptoms: Tools not available during workflow executionSolutions:
- Verify MCP server slug format (
owner/package
) - Check tool name spelling and availability
- Ensure proper permissions for MCP servers
- Test with built-in tools first
Rule Validation Failures
Rule Validation Failures
Symptoms: Rule references marked as invalidSolutions:
- Verify rule exists and is accessible
- Check slug format (
owner/rule-name
) - Ensure proper permissions to referenced rules
- Contact rule owner if access needed
Migration and Updates
Updating Existing Workflows
Version Management
Creating Updates:
- Edit existing workflows to create new versions
- Previous versions remain available
- Gradual rollout possible
- Test thoroughly before deploying updates
- Communicate changes to team members
- Consider deprecation periods for major changes
Import/Export
Workflows can be exported as Markdown files for version control, backup, or sharing across different Continue Hub instances.
After Creation
Once your workflow is created, you can:Next Steps
Test and Refine: Use your workflow in the agents interface and refine based on resultsShare with Team: Make workflows available to organization membersEdit and Update: Modify workflows as requirements changeMonitor Performance: Track usage and effectiveness over time