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Actions

Actions are the building blocks that workflows use to perform operations, process data, and interact with external systems. They transform inputs, execute logic, and produce outputs that drive business automation.

Overview​

Actions enable workflows to:

  • Process Data: Transform and manipulate data in various formats
  • Interact with AI: Leverage large language models for intelligent processing
  • Communicate: Send emails, make API calls, and interact with external systems
  • Store Information: Write files, update databases, and persist data
  • Execute Logic: Run custom scripts and implement business rules

Available Actions​

AI and Processing Actions​

LLM Action

  • Execute AI model prompts with context and knowledge
  • Generate intelligent responses and analysis
  • Support for multiple AI providers and models
  • Perfect for content analysis, generation, and decision making

Agentic LLM Action

  • Advanced AI agents with tool usage capabilities
  • Multi-step reasoning and autonomous problem solving
  • Integration with external tools and APIs
  • Ideal for complex AI-driven automation

Knowledge Retrieval

  • Query knowledge bases for relevant information
  • Semantic search across organizational content
  • Context provision for AI model interactions
  • Essential for knowledge-driven workflows

Communication Actions​

HTTP Action

  • Make REST API calls to external services
  • Support for all HTTP methods and authentication
  • Request/response data processing
  • Perfect for system integration and data exchange

Email Action

  • Send emails with dynamic content and attachments
  • Template-based email generation
  • SMTP and email service provider support
  • Ideal for notifications and communication workflows

Data Processing Actions​

File Write Action

  • Create and modify files in various formats
  • Support for text, JSON, CSV, and binary files
  • Template-based file generation
  • Perfect for report generation and data export

Spreadsheet Action

  • Read and write Excel and CSV files
  • Data manipulation and transformation
  • Support for formulas and formatting
  • Ideal for data analysis and reporting workflows

Database Action

  • Execute database queries and operations
  • Support for multiple database systems
  • Parameterized queries and connection pooling
  • Perfect for data-driven business processes

Utility Actions​

Script Action

  • Execute custom JavaScript code
  • Access to workflow context and data
  • Custom logic implementation
  • Ideal for specialized business rules and calculations

Checkpoint

  • Save workflow state and enable resumption
  • Error recovery and workflow debugging
  • State management for long-running processes
  • Essential for robust workflow design

Action Concepts​

Action Lifecycle​

Configuration

  1. Parameter Setup: Configure action parameters and settings
  2. Input Mapping: Map workflow data to action inputs
  3. Validation: Validate configuration and data types
  4. Execution: Run action with provided inputs
  5. Output Processing: Process and store action outputs

Data Flow

Workflow Data → Action Input → Processing → Action Output → Workflow Memory

Action Categories​

Data Transformation

  • Convert between different data formats
  • Apply business rules and calculations
  • Validate and sanitize data
  • Aggregate and summarize information

External Integration

  • Connect to external systems and APIs
  • Exchange data with third-party services
  • Trigger actions in remote systems
  • Synchronize data across platforms

Content Generation

  • Generate documents and reports
  • Create dynamic content based on data
  • Transform content between formats
  • Produce personalized communications

Decision Making

  • Implement business logic and rules
  • Make data-driven decisions
  • Route workflows based on conditions
  • Evaluate complex criteria

Action Configuration​

Common Configuration Elements​

Input Parameters

  • Required Parameters: Essential configuration values
  • Optional Parameters: Additional customization options
  • Data Types: Specify expected data types and formats
  • Default Values: Sensible defaults for common use cases

Memory Integration

  • Input Variables: Variables to read from workflow memory
  • Output Variables: Variables to write to workflow memory
  • Data Mapping: Transform data between action and memory formats
  • Context Preservation: Maintain data relationships and context

Error Handling

  • Retry Logic: Automatic retry of failed actions
  • Error Actions: Specific behaviors for different error types
  • Fallback Values: Default values when actions fail
  • Error Propagation: Control how errors affect workflow execution

Advanced Configuration​

Performance Optimization

  • Caching: Cache results for improved performance
  • Batch Processing: Process multiple items efficiently
  • Parallel Execution: Run actions concurrently when possible
  • Resource Management: Optimize memory and CPU usage

Security Settings

  • Credential Management: Secure storage and access to credentials
  • Data Encryption: Encrypt sensitive data at rest and in transit
  • Access Control: Limit action access based on user roles
  • Audit Logging: Track action usage and data access

Action Monitoring​

Execution Monitoring​

Real-Time Tracking

  • Action Status: Monitor individual action execution status
  • Progress Indicators: Track progress for long-running actions
  • Resource Usage: Monitor CPU, memory, and network usage
  • Error Detection: Immediate notification of action failures

Performance Metrics

  • Execution Time: Track how long actions take to complete
  • Success Rates: Monitor action success and failure rates
  • Throughput: Measure action processing capacity
  • Resource Efficiency: Analyze resource usage patterns

Quality Monitoring​

Output Validation

  • Data Quality: Verify action outputs meet quality standards
  • Format Compliance: Ensure outputs conform to expected formats
  • Business Rules: Validate outputs against business constraints
  • Consistency Checks: Verify consistent behavior across executions

Error Analysis

  • Error Patterns: Identify common failure scenarios
  • Root Cause Analysis: Understand underlying causes of failures
  • Error Recovery: Track success of retry and recovery mechanisms
  • Quality Improvement: Use error data to improve action reliability

Best Practices​

Action Design​

Single Responsibility

  • Each action should have one clear purpose
  • Avoid complex multi-purpose actions
  • Break complex operations into multiple simpler actions
  • Maintain clear separation of concerns

Idempotency

  • Actions should produce the same result when run multiple times
  • Handle duplicate executions gracefully
  • Use unique identifiers to prevent data duplication
  • Implement proper state checking before operations

Error Resilience

  • Implement comprehensive error handling
  • Use appropriate retry logic for transient failures
  • Provide meaningful error messages and context
  • Design for graceful degradation when possible

Performance Optimization​

Efficient Processing

  • Optimize algorithms and data structures
  • Minimize external API calls and database queries
  • Use caching for frequently accessed data
  • Implement proper resource cleanup

Scalability

  • Design actions to handle varying load levels
  • Use asynchronous processing where appropriate
  • Implement proper connection pooling and resource sharing
  • Monitor and optimize resource usage

Cost Management

  • Optimize AI model usage to minimize token costs
  • Use efficient data transfer and storage strategies
  • Monitor and analyze cost patterns
  • Implement cost alerts and budgets

Security Practices​

Data Protection

  • Encrypt sensitive data at rest and in transit
  • Implement proper access controls and authentication
  • Validate and sanitize all input data
  • Follow principle of least privilege

Credential Management

  • Store credentials securely using encryption
  • Rotate credentials regularly
  • Use service accounts with minimal permissions
  • Monitor credential usage and access

Audit and Compliance

  • Log all action executions and data access
  • Implement proper audit trails
  • Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements
  • Monitor for suspicious activities

Integration Patterns​

Microservices Architecture​

Service Integration

  • Use HTTP actions to communicate between services
  • Implement proper service discovery and load balancing
  • Handle service failures and timeouts gracefully
  • Use circuit breaker patterns for resilience

Data Consistency

  • Implement proper transaction management
  • Use eventual consistency where appropriate
  • Handle data synchronization across services
  • Monitor data integrity and consistency

Event-Driven Processing​

Event Handling

  • Process events asynchronously where possible
  • Implement proper event ordering and deduplication
  • Use event sourcing for complex state management
  • Monitor event processing performance and reliability

Workflow Orchestration

  • Coordinate multiple actions in complex workflows
  • Implement proper error handling and compensation
  • Use checkpoints for long-running processes
  • Monitor workflow execution and performance

Testing and Validation​

Unit Testing​

Action Testing

  • Test actions with various input scenarios
  • Validate outputs against expected results
  • Test error conditions and edge cases
  • Verify performance under different loads

Integration Testing

  • Test actions with real external systems
  • Validate end-to-end workflows
  • Test error scenarios and recovery procedures
  • Verify data consistency and integrity

Performance Testing​

Load Testing

  • Test actions under expected production loads
  • Identify performance bottlenecks and limitations
  • Validate scalability and resource usage
  • Test concurrent execution scenarios

Stress Testing

  • Test actions under extreme conditions
  • Identify breaking points and failure modes
  • Validate error handling and recovery
  • Test system behavior under resource constraints

Actions are the building blocks that enable powerful automation in Vectense Platform. Choose the right actions for your use case and configure them properly to create efficient, reliable workflows.