# Getting Started
{{< tier level="sovereign" note="Durable Workflows replace repeated manual handoffs with saved processes and inspectable runs." >}}

Use a workflow when a process repeats, spans several agents or people, needs review or approval, or must survive a restart. For a one-off command with no saved state, a direct agent session is usually simpler.

## Choose an entry point

| Entry point | Use it for |
| --- | --- |
| Task **Workflows** tab | Inspect runs already tied to that task |
| **Workflows** | Browse saved definitions and inspect runs |
| **Workflow Builder** | Create, adapt, or test a workflow visually |

For your first saved run, follow [Run Your First Workflow](../first-workflow/) to start **Deliver Task** through `pm_workflow`, then open it in **Runs**. The task must already have an assigned executor and reviewer assignments.

## Start a saved run or test a draft

Use [`pm_workflow start`](/valdr/docs/valdr-mcp/workflows/#start-a-run) when you want to run one exact saved definition version. The new run appears in **Runs** and, when task-scoped, in that task's **Workflows** tab.

Use **Test** in the Builder when you want to execute the visible draft before saving it. The guided form checks required scope, agents, presets, and inputs first; a failed check stays on the form so you can correct it without creating a partial run.

## Follow the run

After a run starts, **Runs** places it under **Needs approval**, **Needs attention**, **Active**, or **Recent** according to its current state. Search or filter the run rail when you have more than a few roots; Up and Down Arrow moves between the visible results.

The selected run opens as a nested waterfall. Expand child workflows to follow the full composition, or collapse them to keep the parent run readable. The **Timeline** column shows where execution ran, waited, or stopped; arrow keys move between rows and expand or collapse the tree.

The run inspector shows:

- Current status and step.
- Elapsed time, step progress, linked sessions, and child-run count.
- Declared inputs and results.
- Every attempt for each step.
- Open waits and decisions.
- Accepted review or approval evidence.
- Linked sessions, reviews, tasks, and child workflows.
- Errors and available recovery actions.

Use the **Agents**, **Inputs / Outputs**, **Response**, **Events**, and **Diagnose** tabs to move from the summary into the exact record you need. **Agents** shows which agent performed each step alongside linked-session duration and token activity; session links open a quick view without taking you away from the run.

## Recover or repeat

Choose **Retry step** when Valdr offers it for a blocked or failed attempt. Retrying adds another attempt and preserves the earlier one. If a step cannot be safely retried, the displayed reason explains what needs attention.

Choose **Run again** on a completed, failed, or cancelled root run to create a separate run with the same workflow versions. Draft-test runs do not offer it, and blocked runs must be retried or cancelled first. Start the newer version through `pm_workflow` when you want updated behavior.

Use **Step** to advance one ready transition, or **Run until wait** to advance up to ten ready transitions before stopping at input, a wait, a closed run, or the operation limit. Choose it again if ready work remains.

**Cancel run** stops workflow orchestration. See [cancellation scope](/valdr/docs/workflows/reliability-and-recovery/#cancellation) for which sessions and commands it stops.

Use **Delete run** only when the root and every child are blocked, failed, completed, or cancelled; cancel pending, running, or waiting work first. Deletion is permanent. It also deletes linked session records, events, transcripts, and session-owned worktrees by default; select **Keep linked sessions** to preserve them.

## Adapt a workflow

From the catalog:

- **Use as starting point** creates a separate workflow draft.
- **Open** loads the selected version in the builder.
- **Test** runs the definition without creating a reusable version.
- **Retire** removes an exact version from ordinary catalog use when nothing active depends on it.

Use **Show retired** and **Restore** for retired definitions. In the builder, use **Create new version** to evolve the same workflow deliberately.

## Next step

Follow [Run Your First Workflow](../first-workflow/) from start through independent review and verification.