Introduction
Workflows offer a node-based approach to media generation that gives you granular control over every step of your creative process. While Runway's standard interface is perfect for quick generations and iteration, Workflows shine when you need to build customized, automated, and repeatable creative pipelines.
Use Workflows when you need to:
- Chain multiple generations together without manual copying and pasting between tools
- Create reusable templates for your signature style or consistent project needs
- Experiment with variations by branching your workflow to use various models, prompts, and more
- Automate repetitive tasks that would otherwise require multiple manual steps
This article breaks down the key concepts you'll need to work with Workflows: nodes, links, and how they come together to automate your creative process.
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Understanding nodes
Nodes are the building blocks within the Workflow Editor. Each node performs a unique function or uses a specific generative model.
Nodes can take input from another node and process it to create an output.
- Inputs are on the left side of the node
- Outputs are on the right side of the node
Inputs and outputs are connected to other nodes through links to build workflows.
Links appear as lines between nodes in the Workflow Editor. You can only link compatible content types — for example, a Text output links to a Text input.
Content types are color coded on each node:
- Orange – Text
- Pink – Image
- Yellow – Audio
- Green – Video
Required inputs have an asterisk next to their name, such as Prompt*. Required inputs must be linked to the node for it to run.
Node types
There are four types of nodes available:
Input nodes
Input nodes accept manual text input or media upload. These nodes do not accept input from other nodes.
Use Input nodes for:- Uploading images and videos to your workflow
- Providing text prompts
- Providing custom system prompt instructions to LLM nodes
Media models
Media model nodes process inputs through the associated model to create an output. These nodes use credits and may require image, video, audio, and/or text input to run.
Use Media model nodes for:- Creating new images and videos
- Upscaling videos
- Generating and editing audio
LLM nodes
LLM (large-language model) nodes let you dynamically generate or modify prompts based on your creative intent, so you can automate prompt engineering and maintain consistency across multi-step generations.
These nodes require a text prompt input, but also support configuring a system prompt (or set of instructions for the LLM to follow) through a separate text input. LLM nodes use credits.
Use LLM nodes for:- Enhancing prompts for input to Media model nodes
- Analyzing input images
Media utility nodes
Media utility nodes allow you to perform various editing or extraction operations on uploaded or generated media from within your Workflow.
These nodes require a media input, such as video or audio outputs. Certain utility nodes use credits.
Use Media utility nodes for:- Stitching videos together
- Extracting first, middle, or last frames
- Adding or extracting audio
Navigating the Workflow Editor
This section outlines the basics of navigation with the Workflow Editor.
Core navigation
- Zoom in/out: Scroll wheel (or trackpad scroll)
- Move around: Click and drag
-
Select area: Hold
SHIFTand drag -
Select multiple: Hold
CMD(Mac) orCTRL(Windows) and click -
Keyboard shortcuts: Hold
CMD + ?(Mac) orCTRL + ?(Windows) to reveal the full list of keyboard shortcuts available
Adding, moving, removing, and swapping nodes
- Add a new node by right-clicking (or clicking the + symbol on the left-hand side of the Workflow Editor) and selecting the desired node
- Move a node by clicking it and dragging to the desired location
-
Remove an existing node by selecting it (it will display a grey outline)
and pressing
BACKSPACE -
Swap one node with another by clicking the ellipsis (...) in the top
right-hand corner of the node to open the menu, selecting
Swap node, and choosing the node you wish to replace it with. Note: this option won't be displayed in the drop-down menu if there are no compatible nodes to swap with.
Linking and unlinking nodes
- Click and drag the output slot of a node to a compatible input slot of a different node to create a link
-
Remove an existing link by selecting it (it will turn grey) and pressing
BACKSPACE
Locking nodes
- Freezes a node's output so it won't regenerate on Workflow re-runs by selecting the ellipsis (...) in the top-right corner of the node, and clicking Lock node.
Configuring node settings
Media model and LLM nodes have additional options available within the
Settings ()
menu. Use this menu to configure settings such as:
- Aspect ratio
- Resolution
- Seed
- Temperature (LLM)
- Max output tokens (LLM)
- Disable voice cloning (Audio)
- Drop background audio (Audio)
- Number of speakers (Audio)
Running Workflows
You have two options for running a completed Workflow:
- Run all (top right corner) — processes the full workflow from start to finish. Use this when you want to generate your final output.
- Run (on individual nodes) — processes just that single node. Use this when you're testing, troubleshooting, or regenerating one part of your pipeline without rerunning everything. This is especially helpful when experimenting with prompts or settings.
Sharing Workflows
Workspace Sharing
There are two ways to share a Workflow within your Workspace:
From the Workflows tab
- Click the triple-dot (...) icon in the top-right corner of the Workflow you'd like to share
- From the dropdown menu, select Sharing
- In the popup that appears, select the workspace that you would like to share your Workflow with
- Select Share
From within the Workflow
- Click the Share icon (
) at the top of the screen
- In the popup that appears, select the workspace that you would like to share your Workflow with
- Select Share
Teamspace Sharing
Once a Workflow has been shared to a Workspace, Enterprise members can further customize the sharing to a particular Teamspace:
- Locate the Workflow from the Shared Workflows section
- Click the tripe-dot (...) icon in the top-right corner of the Workflow you'd like to share
- Select Sharing
- Select the Teamspace to share with from the bottom dropdown menu
- Click Share
Next steps
Now that you understand the fundamentals, you're ready to start building. Check out Building your first Workflows for a hands-on tutorial, or explore the Workflow Library to copy and then customize pre-built pipelines.