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Input Block

Discover how to effectively set up and utilize the Input Block in Scout workflows, the essential starting point for defining and managing input fields.

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.

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