# Create your first workflow

**Category:** [Orchestration](https://help.totalctrl.app/hc/totalctrl/totalctrl-help-center/en-US/categories/orchestration)
**Updated:** 2026-08-19

## Start a new workflow

On the **Workflows** page, click **New Workflow**. Give it a name and you'll land in the **Builder**, where you assemble the workflow step by step. New workflows start out **Inactive** so you can build safely.
## Add a trigger

Every workflow begins with one trigger — the event that starts it. Choose the app the event comes from, then pick the trigger (for example *New Survey Response*, *CRM Deal Won*, or *Catch Webhook*). The trigger's data becomes available to later steps.
## Add actions

Click **Add Action** (or **Add Step**) to add what should happen next. Pick an app and an action, then fill in its configuration fields. Actions run top to bottom, and a later step can use the output of an earlier one — see [Map data between steps](map-data-between-steps).
## Save and test

Click **Save** as you go. Use **Test Run** to execute the workflow once with sample trigger data — the per-step results appear so you can confirm each action did what you expected.
## Activate it

When you're happy, return to the Workflows list and toggle the workflow to **Active**. A workflow can only be activated once it has at least one trigger and one action; otherwise you'll be prompted to add them first. Check [run history](view-workflow-run-history) to confirm it's firing as expected.

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## Related Articles

- [Delays: pause a workflow for minutes, hours, or days](https://help.totalctrl.app/en-US/articles/flow-control-delays)
- [Orchestration Overview](https://help.totalctrl.app/en-US/articles/orchestration-overview)
- [Connect an app](https://help.totalctrl.app/en-US/articles/connect-an-app-1)
- [Build your first workflow](https://help.totalctrl.app/en-US/articles/build-your-first-workflow)
- [Filters: stop a run when conditions aren't met](https://help.totalctrl.app/en-US/articles/flow-control-filters)

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