Chatty Form Documentation

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Flow Nodes in Chatty Form

This guide explains all available node types in Chatty Form's flow builder and how to use them effectively.

Overview

Flow nodes are the building blocks of your chatbot conversations. Each node type serves a specific purpose in guiding the conversation flow and collecting information from users.

Node Types

1. Text Node

Purpose: Display static text content to users, such as instructions, welcome messages, or informational content.

Features:

  • Supports Markdown formatting
  • Rich text capabilities (bold, italic, headings)
  • Lists and links support
  • Images can be embedded using Markdown syntax

How to Use:

  1. Drag the "Text" node from the palette to the canvas
  2. Click on the node to edit its content
  3. Use Markdown syntax for formatting (e.g., # Heading, italic, bold, - list items, links)
  4. Connect to the next node in your flow

Best Practices:

  • Use short, clear messages
  • Include rich formatting to make content engaging
  • Provide context before asking for user input
  • Keep paragraphs concise

2. Image Node

Purpose: Display images to enhance the conversation experience.

Features:

  • Accepts image URLs
  • Responsive image display
  • Alt text for accessibility

How to Use:

  1. Add an "Image" node to your canvas
  2. Enter the image URL in the configuration panel
  3. Add alt text for accessibility
  4. Connect to other nodes as needed

Best Practices:

  • Use compressed images to maintain loading speed
  • Choose images that enhance the user's understanding
  • Always include meaningful alt text

3. Video Node

Purpose: Play video content as part of the conversation.

Features:

  • Embeds videos from hosting platforms
  • Responsive video player
  • Auto-play options

How to Use:

  1. Add a "Video" node to your canvas
  2. Provide the video embed URL or direct video URL
  3. Configure playback options if available
  4. Connect to other nodes in your flow

Best Practices:

  • Keep videos short and relevant
  • Ensure videos provide value to the user
  • Test playback across different devices

Purpose: Provide clickable links to external resources.

Features:

  • External link integration
  • Configurable link text
  • Open in same or new tab options

How to Use:

  1. Add a "Link" node to your canvas
  2. Enter the destination URL
  3. Set the link text that users will see
  4. Configure opening behavior if needed
  5. Connect to other nodes in your flow

Best Practices:

  • Clearly indicate when a link will open in a new tab
  • Use descriptive link text that tells users what to expect
  • Ensure destination links are reliable and up-to-date

5. Iframe Node

Purpose: Embed external content directly into the conversation.

Features:

  • Embeds external webpages
  • Configurable sizing
  • Integration with third-party tools

How to Use:

  1. Add an "Iframe" node to your canvas
  2. Enter the URL of the content to embed
  3. Configure the size of the iframe if needed
  4. Connect to other nodes in your flow

Best Practices:

  • Verify the embedded content allows iframe embedding
  • Consider loading times for large embedded content
  • Ensure responsive design of the embedded content

6. Input Field Node

Purpose: Collect various types of information from users.

Available Input Types:

  • Text Input
  • Email Input
  • Number Input
  • Date Input
  • File Upload
  • Phone Number

Configuration Options:

  • Label: The question or prompt text shown to users
  • Name: Identifier for the collected data (required for processing)
  • Required: Whether the field is mandatory
  • Validation: Min/Max length, date ranges, etc.

How to Use:

  1. Add an "Input Field" node to your canvas
  2. Select the input type you want to collect
  3. Configure the label (what users see)
  4. Set the name field (how you'll reference the data)
  5. Mark as required if necessary
  6. Add validation rules as needed
  7. Connect to other nodes in your flow

Best Practices:

  • Always fill in both label and name fields
  • Use field-specific input types (email for emails, tel for phones)
  • Only mark fields as required when absolutely necessary
  • Add helpful placeholder text when appropriate

7. Select Node

Purpose: Present users with predefined options to choose from.

Features:

  • Multiple-choice selection
  • Customizable option labels
  • Data storage for selected option

Configuration:

  • Label: Prompt or question for the selection
  • Options: List of available choices
  • Name: Field name for storing the selection

How to Use:

  1. Add a "Select" node to your canvas
  2. Enter the prompt/question in the label field
  3. Add options for users to choose from
  4. Set a name for data storage
  5. Connect to other nodes based on the selected option

Best Practices:

  • Limit options to a manageable number (typically 5-7)
  • Use clear, distinct option labels
  • Place options in logical order

8. Conditional Node

Purpose: Route the conversation based on previous user inputs or defined conditions.

Features:

  • Conditional logic evaluation
  • Multiple output paths
  • Reference to previously collected data

Configuration:

  • Condition: Statement to evaluate
  • Output options: Different paths based on the condition result

How to Use:

  1. Add a "Conditional" node to your canvas
  2. Define the condition to evaluate (e.g., IF field contains certain value)
  3. Create different output connections based on possible outcomes
  4. Connect to appropriate subsequent nodes

Best Practices:

  • Use clear, unambiguous conditions
  • Account for all possible condition outcomes
  • Keep conditions simple to avoid confusion

9. Redirect Node

Purpose: Send users to an external URL after collecting information.

Features:

  • External URL redirection
  • Data passing via URL parameters
  • Post-data-collection routing

Configuration:

  • Destination URL: Where to redirect the user
  • Data mapping: How to pass collected data to the destination

How to Use:

  1. Add a "Redirect" node to your canvas
  2. Enter the destination URL
  3. Map collected data to URL parameters if needed
  4. This typically comes at the end of your conversation flow

Best Practices:

  • Inform users they will be redirected when appropriate
  • Ensure the destination page is ready to receive the parameters
  • Test redirects thoroughly

10. LLM (Large Language Model) Node

Purpose: Integrate AI-powered responses into your chat using language models.

Features:

  • AI-generated responses
  • Customizable prompts
  • Requires API key for service

Configuration:

  • Prompt: Instruction for the AI
  • API Key: Authentication for the LLM service
  • Response handling: How to process and present AI output

How to Use:

  1. Add an "LLM" node to your canvas
  2. Enter your API key for the LLM service
  3. Configure the prompt that guides the AI response
  4. Set up how the response should be handled in the flow
  5. Connect to other nodes as needed

Best Practices:

  • Craft clear, specific prompts for better results
  • Handle potential API failures gracefully
  • Test AI responses for accuracy and appropriateness

11. Webhook Node

Purpose: Trigger external web services or APIs during the conversation.

Features:

  • HTTP request capabilities
  • Data transmission to external services
  • Various trigger points in the flow

Configuration:

  • Endpoint URL: Where to send the request
  • HTTP Method: GET, POST, PUT, etc.
  • Headers: Authentication and content specifications
  • Body: Data to send in the request

How to Use:

  1. Add a "Webhook" node to your canvas
  2. Configure the HTTP endpoint and method
  3. Set required headers (including authentication)
  4. Define the request body and data mappings
  5. Connect appropriately in your flow

Best Practices:

  • Secure webhooks with proper authentication
  • Handle webhook responses appropriately
  • Test webhook reliability before publishing

12. Telegram Node

Purpose: Send notifications or data to a Telegram bot/channel during the conversation.

Features:

  • Integration with Telegram messaging
  • Notification capability
  • Data forwarding to Telegram

Configuration:

  • Telegram Bot Token: Authentication for your Telegram bot
  • Chat ID: Destination for the message
  • Message content: What to send

How to Use:

  1. Add a "Telegram" node to your canvas
  2. Provide your Telegram Bot Token
  3. Specify the Chat ID or Channel
  4. Format the message content
  5. Connect in your flow where notifications should occur

Best Practices:

  • Safely protect your Bot Token
  • Format messages appropriately for Telegram
  • Avoid overwhelming recipients with too many notifications

13. Request Node

Purpose: Make HTTP requests to external services and process responses.

Features:

  • Flexible HTTP operations
  • Response data processing
  • Integration with external APIs

Configuration:

  • Endpoint URL: Service to call
  • HTTP Method: Type of request to make
  • Headers: Request configuration
  • Body: Data to send
  • Response handling: How to use returned data

How to Use:

  1. Add a "Request" node to your canvas
  2. Define the endpoint and HTTP method
  3. Configure headers and authentication as needed
  4. Set up the request body with any required data
  5. Define how to handle and use the response
  6. Connect appropriately in your flow

Best Practices:

  • Handle API rate limits appropriately
  • Validate response data before using it
  • Implement error handling for failed requests

Best Practices for Node Usage

General Guidelines

  • Use consistent terminology across all nodes
  • Maintain a clear visual flow from start to finish
  • Test all paths through your flow
  • Keep nodes focused on a single purpose
  • Balance information gathering with user engagement

Flow Architecture

  • Start with a greeting or introduction
  • Group related questions logically
  • End with appreciation or next steps
  • Provide clear transitions between sections
  • Include conditional logic where appropriate

Node Sequencing

  • Place instructional text before input fields
  • Use select nodes when you want to limit choices
  • Use conditional nodes to personalize the experience
  • End with a conclusion, thank you note, or redirect