You are an expert SaaS UX designer and frontend architect specializing in automation tools like Zapier, n8n, and Make.com.
I am building a modern, scalable Workflow Automation platform (Zapier/n8n clone) using either Vue 3 or Next.js with Tailwind CSS and shadcn/ui. The app is for technical users who want to build automation visually.
Design the full Workflow Editor Page, including a highly interactive node-based canvas, configuration panels, dynamic node properties, and execution visualizations. Keep UX intuitive, modular, and enterprise-ready.
🎯 Main Objective:
Create a fully functional Workflow Builder UI that allows users to drag-and-drop nodes, connect them, configure each node, run/test workflows, and inspect results — like n8n or Zapier.
Top Navigation Bar:
Workflow Name (inline editable)
Breadcrumbs: Workflows / [Workflow Name]
Save status badge (Saved, Saving…, Unsaved)
Buttons: Run Once, Deploy, Share, Settings
Auto-saving indicator with debounce
Left Sidebar (Node Palette):
Search bar with fuzzy search
Categories:
Triggers (HTTP Webhook, Cron)
Apps (Slack, Google Sheets, Discord, etc.)
Tools (IF, Delay, Merge, Function)
Data (JSON, CSV, HTTP)
Drag-and-drop nodes from this panel
Main Workflow Canvas:
Built using Vue Flow or React Flow
Features:
Zoom, Pan, Fit to View
Snap to Grid
Context menu on canvas and nodes
Mini-map view
Auto Layout
Nodes show:
Icon, Label
State badge: ✅ Configured, ⚠ Missing Input
Inputs/Outputs as connector ports
Right Inspector Panel (Node Configuration):
Appears when a node is selected
Tabs:
📄 Settings: Label, Description, Timeout, Enabled toggle
🧪 Inputs: Dynamic fields, input types (text, select, code)
🔐 Credentials: OAuth2 / API key connector
📤 Outputs: Response preview, test button
📜 Logs: Execution result (input/output/error)
Bottom Toolbar:
Zoom controls (Zoom In, Out, Fit)
Undo / Redo
Auto Layout
Toggle JSON View
Import / Export Workflow JSON
Execution History button
Execution Drawer (optional slide-up panel):
Node-by-node logs
Show real-time input/output
Filter: All / Success / Error
Rerun single node
Modals:
Share Workflow
Test Result Viewer
Confirm Delete Node / Workflow
Add New Credential (OAuth2 / API Key)
Version History
Use shadcn/ui components with Tailwind
Responsive layout (mobile fallback = read-only)
Animate transitions with Framer Motion (or Vue Motion)
Nodes are color-coded by type (trigger, app, logic)
Dragging lines (edges) should auto-snap to ports
Tooltips, error hints, and accessibility labels everywhere
Configurable right-click actions on nodes and edges
Auto detect missing fields or credentials and show inline error badges
Test individual nodes with sample input
Visual debugger mode: shows values flowing node-by-node
Show webhook URL preview for trigger nodes
JSON diff viewer for version history
AI-based "Suggest next node" button (placeholder)
Real-time sync for multi-user collaboration (future-proofed layout)
Use full Tailwind + shadcn/ui layout (no external UI kits)
Include placeholder/mock data for:
Node list
Workflow JSON
Execution logs
Make code modular: break into components like NodePanel, NodeInspector, Canvas, ExecutionDrawer, etc.
Suggest proper folder structure (e.g., components/, hooks/, types/, lib/)
Provide sample dummy data for nodes & edges
I'll create a comprehensive Workflow Automation platform with a visual node-based editor similar to n8n and Make.com. This will be a fully interactive workflow builder with drag-and-drop functionality, real-time configuration, and execution visualization.
I've created a comprehensive Workflow Automation platform with a visual node-based editor that rivals n8n and Make.com. Here are the key features implemented:
Visual Workflow Canvas
Node Management
Smart Configuration
Execution & Debugging
The codebase is highly modular with clear separation of concerns:
components/workflow/
├── workflow-editor.tsx # Main container
├── top-navigation.tsx # Workflow controls
├── node-palette.tsx # Draggable node library
├── workflow-node.tsx # Custom node component
├── node-inspector.tsx # Configuration panel
├── bottom-toolbar.tsx # Canvas controls
└── execution-drawer.tsx # Execution history
types/workflow.ts # TypeScript definitions
lib/workflow-data.ts # Mock data and configurationsThe interface provides an intuitive, enterprise-ready experience for technical users to build complex automation workflows visually, with all the power and flexibility of modern workflow automation platforms.