Build Visual Workflows

The Visual Code Editor starts with a Begin action and an option to add the first command. Each command you add becomes a visible action in the workflow.

Actions are connected in the order they should run. This makes longer PDMShell scripts easier to review before you execute them.

Basic Workflow

A typical workflow is built like this:

1. Start from the Begin action.
2. Add the first command.
3. Edit the command settings.
4. Add the next command.
5. Connect each action in the order it should run.
6. Validate the workflow before running it.

The visual workflow and the generated script stay connected. The visual layout helps you understand the process, while PDMShell still runs the real command text.

Finding Commands

Use the command picker to search by command name, description, or category. For example, searching for checkout can show related commands such as Check out and Undo checkout.

This is useful when you know what you want to do but do not remember the exact command name or syntax.

Working With Larger Workflows

Larger workflows can extend beyond the visible area. Use the navigation controls to make the workflow easier to review:

• Zoom In makes actions larger.
• Zoom Out shows more of the workflow.
• Zoom To Fit fits the workflow into view.

Canvas controls (4.0.94)

Gesture	Result
Left-drag empty canvas	Pan the workflow.
Mouse wheel	Zoom around the pointer. Ctrl+wheel also works on the canvas.
Ctrl + left-drag empty canvas	Draw a rectangle to select intersecting actions.
Ctrl + Shift + left-drag	Add actions to the current selection.
Ctrl-click or Shift-click an action	Toggle that action in the selection.
Drag a selected action	Move the selected actions together.
Delete	Use the same deletion as the right-click menu. Multiple actions and owned IF branches require confirmation.
Double-click an action	Edit its visual name in place.
Middle-drag or Space + left-drag	Pan without changing the selection.

Press Escape while drawing a rectangle to cancel it and restore the previous selection. The Begin marker and add-action buttons are not selected. Clearing a selection with Ctrl-click on empty canvas does not delete anything. Delete does not remove actions while you are typing in a text field.

Rendered from the actual 4.0.94 editor controls with sample actions; no script was executed.

Connectors automatically choose attachment sides as you move actions. Incoming and outgoing arrows can share a side, and routing avoids other visible actions where space permits. Moving boxes changes the visual layout, not the script's execution order. Mouse-wheel zoom and rendering at the minimum zoom level have also been corrected.

Branching

Use IF statements and conditions when the workflow needs to choose between two paths.

Examples:

• Continue only when a file name contains ECO.
• Run one action when a value matches and another action when it does not.
• Check whether a file or folder exists before continuing.