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Workflow Editor

Design and save PDF processing pipelines visually

Drag-and-drop PDF tools onto a visual canvas and connect them to design multi-step PDF pipelines — merge, split, compress, watermark, and more. Save your designs as reusable blueprints and load them later. To process files, run each step with its tool on the PDF Tools dashboard in the order your pipeline defines (one-click end-to-end execution is not yet available).

Overview

The Workflow Editor uses a visual node-based interface powered by React Flow to build multi-step PDF pipelines.

  • Drag tools from the sidebar onto the canvas to create processing steps
  • Connect nodes by dragging from one output handle to another input handle
  • Each node represents one PDF tool operation (merge, split, compress, etc.)
  • The minimap in the corner shows your entire workflow at a glance
  • Use zoom and pan controls to navigate large workflows
  • Supports branching workflows — one output can feed into multiple steps
Tips
  • Start simple — a two-step workflow (e.g., merge then compress) is a great first build
  • The canvas is infinite — spread nodes out for readability
  • Use the MiniMap to stay oriented in complex workflows
  • Each node shows its tool name and the tool slug underneath, so you can tell steps apart at a glance

Adding Tools to the Canvas

Populate your workflow by dragging tools from the sidebar or selecting from templates.

  1. Open the Workflow Editor from the PDF Tools menu
  2. Browse the available tools in the left sidebar
  3. Drag a tool onto the canvas (or click to add at a default position)
  4. The new node appears with the tool name and its input/output handles
  5. Repeat to add as many steps as your workflow requires
Tips
  • You can also drop tools at a specific position on the canvas for precise layout
  • The step counter in the header shows how many nodes are in your workflow
  • Nodes can be repositioned freely by dragging them
  • Available tools include: Merge, Split, Compress, Rotate, Watermark, Add Page Numbers, and many more

Connecting Nodes

Link tools together to define the order of operations in your pipeline.

  1. Hover over the output handle (small circle) on the right side of a node
  2. Click and drag to the input handle on the left side of the next node
  3. Release to create a connection — a line appears linking the two steps
  4. Repeat to chain as many operations as needed
Tips
  • Connections define data flow: the output of one tool feeds into the next
  • You can connect one output to multiple inputs for branching workflows
  • Delete a connection by selecting it and pressing Backspace or Delete
  • Connections snap to handles automatically — you don't need pixel-perfect precision
Common Pitfalls
  • Creating circular connections — data must flow in one direction
  • Connecting incompatible tools — make sure the output format matches the input
  • Forgetting to connect a node — disconnected nodes aren't part of the pipeline flow
  • Overlapping connections — spread nodes apart to keep the flow readable

Processing Files Through a Workflow

The Workflow Editor designs and saves pipeline blueprints. One-click end-to-end execution is not yet available — process files by running each step with its own tool, in the order your workflow defines.

  1. Lay out and connect your pipeline so the order of operations is clear
  2. Save the workflow so you can reuse the blueprint later
  3. Open the PDF Tools dashboard and run each step's tool in the order the workflow defines
  4. Carry the output of one step into the next tool as its input
Example: Planning a Multi-Page Camera Report

Designing a 3-step report-cleanup pipeline:

  1. Node 1: Merge — combine 5 daily camera reports into one PDF
  2. Node 2: Add Page Numbers — sequential numbering across all pages
  3. Node 3: Compress — reduce file size for email delivery
  4. Save this layout as a reusable blueprint
  5. Run Merge, then Add Page Numbers, then Compress from the PDF Tools dashboard, carrying each output into the next

→ A documented, repeatable plan for producing a numbered, compressed report PDF.

Tips
  • Treat the canvas as the plan; the individual PDF tools do the actual processing
  • Processing in the individual tools happens entirely in the browser — no files are sent to a server
  • Start with a small test file to confirm each step does what you expect
  • Save common pipelines with 'Save' in the header; 'Load' lists them under 'Saved Workflows' so the plan is one click away next time. Saved workflows sync with your account like your other data
Common Pitfalls
  • Expecting a single 'Run' button — end-to-end execution is not implemented yet; run each step's tool individually
  • Processing very large files (100+ MB) may strain browser memory — split them first

Workflow Templates

Quickly load pre-built workflows for common PDF processing patterns.

  1. Click the 'Templates' button in the top header bar
  2. Browse the available template library
  3. Click a template to preview its name, description, and step count
  4. Click to load — the template's nodes and connections populate the canvas
Tips
  • Templates are a great starting point — load one, then customize it for your needs
  • Loading a template replaces the entire current canvas — save your work first
  • Template node positions are pre-arranged for readability
  • Modify template workflows freely — they're not linked to the original template
Common Pitfalls
  • Loading a template without saving current work — the canvas is replaced
  • Assuming templates are static — you can add, remove, or modify any node after loading

Canvas Controls

Navigate and manage the visual workspace.

  • Zoom: scroll wheel or use the +/− controls in the bottom-left
  • Pan: click and drag an empty area of the canvas
  • Fit View: click the fit-view button in the bottom-left controls to auto-zoom to fit all nodes
  • Delete nodes: select a node and press Backspace or Delete
  • Clear All: click the 'Clear' button in the header and confirm to remove everything
  • Multi-select: hold Shift while clicking to select multiple nodes
  • Configure a step: select its node and the 'Configuration' panel opens, with the tool's options as JSON ('JSON Configuration'). 'Save Configuration' stores them on the node; invalid JSON is refused
Tips
  • Use 'Fit View' after loading a template to see all nodes at once
  • The MiniMap in the bottom-right corner acts as a navigation aide
  • Hold Shift while clicking to select multiple nodes for batch deletion or repositioning
  • Zooming with trackpad gestures works on laptops

The Workflow Editor is for designing and saving PDF pipeline blueprints. Run the steps with the individual tools on the PDF Tools dashboard — one-click end-to-end execution is not yet available.

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