Structuring Automations
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Planning means thinking through an automation before building it, the goal, inputs, logic, outputs, and edge cases. Ten minutes of planning saves hours of fixing later.
Why Skipping Planning Hurts
Without a plan, you constantly restructure, miss data, break logic with new paths, and end up with a messy Zap that's hard to understand and maintain.
- Define the goal in one clear sentence;
- Identify inputs (trigger and available data);
- Identify outputs (where data goes and whoβs notified);
- Map the logic (conditions, paths, transformations, AI);
- Consider edge cases (empty fields, duplicates, API failures).
Visual Planning
Use any tool that helps you see the full flow: Miro, Whimsical, Lucidchart, paper, or a simple text outline. The tool doesnβt matter, the habit does.
When Planning Is Optional vs Essential
- Optional: very small, linear Zaps or quick experiments.
- Essential: 10+ steps, paths, APIs, transformations, client or business-critical workflows.
Rule of thumb: if you canβt hold the whole Zap in your head, plan it.
Plans arenβt perfect. Expect ~80% accuracy. Thatβs still a huge win because the structure is solid and problems are easier to solve.
Plan first. Build second. Planning makes automation faster, cleaner, and far less frustrating.
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