Input Block

Learning Objectives:

• Add and configure an Input Block as the workflow’s trigger
• Define input fields with proper data types and settings
• Reference input values dynamically in downstream blocks

1. Choose a Trigger Block:

When starting a new workflow, your first action should be to define the trigger—this sets how your workflow receives data. Scout supports three trigger options:

• Input Block – for manual or API-based input (recommended for most cases)
• Copilot Block – when input comes from a chat interface
• Slack Message Block – for workflows initiated by Slack commands or messages

• Choose the block that matches your intended source of input.
• When setting up a copilot and chat interface use the Copilot Block in place of the input block.

2. Add and Configure the Input Block:

• To use the Input Block as your trigger:
• Open Your Workflow Canvas
  • Create a new workflow or open an existing one in edit mode.
• Add the Input Block
  • Click the “Set a trigger” button.
• Define Input Fields
  • Each field you add will accept a value when the workflow runs. For each field:

• Display Name: Human-readable label (e.g., User Message)
• ID: Unique key to reference the field (e.g., user_message)
• Type: Choose one:
  • short_text – brief user messages or titles
  • long_text – longer input like article content
  • number – numerical values
  • checkbox – true/false values
  • json_object – structured JSON input
• Optional Toggle: If checked, this input can be left empty when the workflow is triggered.

3. Add and Configure Slack Message Block:

• Slack Message block lets you start a workflow automatically when specific events happen in Slack—like when a message is posted, a user mentions the bot, or a thread is started.
• Open the “Slack Message” block and connect to your Slack, once connected, your Slack Message block should look like this:

• With Scout added to your workspace, select the channel where it will be deployed to.
• Finally select one of the 3 modes:
  • Active Listener Mode: Engages with all messages
  • Mention Listener Mode: Responds only when mentioned
  • Thread Initiator Mode: Replies only to the first message in a thread

4. How Input Data Flows Through the Workflow:

• Once the workflow is triggered (by a form, API call, Copilot, or Slack), Scout captures the input field values and makes them available to all downstream blocks.
• This allows blocks like LLM, JSON, or API blocks to act on dynamic user-provided data.