> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.borndigital.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.borndigital.ai/digital-agent/conversation-flow/nodes-explained.md). # Nodes Explained An overview of the node types in the Conversation Flow and the parts every node editor has in common. Nodes are the building blocks of the [Conversation Flow](/digital-agent/conversation-flow.md). Each node does one job – says something, waits for the customer, decides, calculates, asks a language model, or hands the conversation over – and points to the node that comes next. This chapter explains every node at the configuration level. For a hands-on walkthrough, see [Creating Your First Project](/digital-agent/building-new-projects.md).

A conversation flow on the canvas — A small invoice-support flow that uses every node type

## Nodes list


MESSAGE node	Says something to the customer – text for chat, speech for voice, or a notification, announcement or carousel.	MESSAGE node
ANSWER node	Waits for the customer's input, recognises the intent and handles fallbacks.	ANSWER node
DECISION node	Branches the conversation based on conditions.	DECISION node
FUNCTION node	Runs tools and sets or resets variables in the background.	FUNCTION node
AI node	Lets a large language model answer, use tools and route the conversation.	AI node
TRANSFER node	Hands the conversation over to another project in your organization.	TRANSFER node
REDIRECT node	Redirects the call to a human agent, a queue or a phone number.	REDIRECT node
START / END nodes	Where every conversation begins and where it ends.	START / END nodes

*** ## Node types and names Every node name starts with a fixed prefix that tells you its type. You type only the rest of the name; letters are converted to upper case and spaces to `_`. | Node | Prefix | Example | | -------- | -------- | ---------------------- | | Start | – | `START` (one per flow) | | Message | `MSG_` | `MSG_WELCOME` | | Answer | `ANS_` | `ANS_MAIN_TOPIC` | | Decision | `DEC_` | `DEC_CUSTOMER_TYPE` | | Function | `FNC_` | `FNC_LOAD_CUSTOMER` | | AI | `AI_` | `AI_ASSISTANT` | | Transfer | `TRAN_` | `TRAN_VIP_SUPPORT` | | Redirect | `RDRCT_` | `RDRCT_BILLING_TEAM` | | End | `END_` | `END_DONE` | A new node is called `NODE_` and its editor opens with the name field ready. If you close it without a real name, or with a name another node already uses, a warning reminds you to rename it. ## Adding nodes

* **From the Nodes panel** in the top-left corner of the canvas: drag a node onto the canvas, or click it and then click where it should go (press **Esc** to cancel). Nodes added this way are not connected yet. * **From another node**: hover over a node that has a free output and click the arrow next to it. Pick a node type and the new node is created and connected. * **From a target field**: when a **Next** field is empty, its list starts with **Create a new node:** – pick a type to create, connect and open the new node.

Adding a connected node from the hover arrow

## The node editor Double-click a node to open its editor. **Alt + double-click** opens the editor docked to the left, so the canvas stays visible. There is no Save button – **closing the editor saves your changes.** Every editor shares these parts: * **Header** – the node name with a pencil icon to rename it, and arrows to jump to the previous or next node. * **Tools** – smart functions the node runs, for example a date extractor or an API call. Click **Add**, pick the tool from the catalogue and name the variable that receives its result. * **Variables** – values the node sets, written as Python-style expressions: `"text"` for text, `32` for a number, `True`/`False`, or the name of another variable. * **Next** – the node the conversation continues to. Turn on **Dynamic** to take the next node's name from a variable instead. Tick the checkbox of one or more tools or variables to **Copy to node** (to another node, or the same node to duplicate them) or **Delete** them. Drag the handle on the right to change their order – they run from top to bottom. {% hint style="info" %} Insert a variable into any text field by typing `{` or clicking the `{x}` icon. During the conversation, `{customer_name}` is replaced by the variable's value. {% endhint %} ## Working on the canvas * **Right-click a node** to **Group nodes** or **Remove node**. Right-click a selection of nodes (Shift + click or Shift + drag) to group, remove or **Copy / Paste** them. * **Groups** are coloured frames that keep related nodes together. Right-click a group to rename it, change its colour, detach its nodes or remove it. * **Reference nodes** replace a long connection with a shortcut: right-click a connection and choose **Reference node**. Double-clicking a reference opens the original node. * **Comments** – click the speech-bubble icon in the top bar, then click a node or the canvas to leave a comment for your team. * **Ctrl/Cmd + C** and **Ctrl/Cmd + V** copy and paste nodes, also between projects. Pasted nodes get the suffix `_COPY`. **Ctrl/Cmd + Z** and **Y** undo and redo. {% hint style="info" %} Groups, comments and reference nodes only help you organise the canvas – they don't change how the conversation runs. {% endhint %}