AI Agent Node Types Explained

Smartoo AI Agents are intelligent workflow assistants that handle automation, complex workflows, and AI-driven tasks in your apps. Every agent is a visual workflow is built by connecting nodes.

Think of nodes as a single instruction. Each node has one specific job, whether it is triggering an action, making a decision, reading your database, or generating text. By chaining these nodes together, you form a workflow.

Triggers: The Conditions For Agents To Execute Actions

Every AI Agent sits idle until a trigger tells it to start working. Every workflow must begin with one of these nodes.

• Record Trigger: Triggers when records are created, updated, or deleted.
• Schedule Trigger: Triggers on schedule.
• GitHub Issue Trigger: Trigger when GitHub issue is opened, closed, or edited.

AI & Knowledge: Reasoning and Retrieving Information

These nodes separate standard automations from true AI Agents by allowing the workflow to think, generate, and retrieve context.

• AI task: Commands the agent to process information using artificial intelligence. Use this when you need the agent to categorize a messy request, draft a personalized email, extract specific fields from a long paragraph, or recommend a next step.

Logic: Rules and Routing

Logic nodes dictate the path the agent takes, allowing it to handle different scenarios automatically.

• If/then condition: Creates branching paths based on specific rules (e.g., If the request is over $500, Then route to the manager; If under $500, auto-approve).
• Set variable: Temporarily stores a piece of information (like a calculated number or a specific date) so the agent can use it again later in the workflow.

Data: Managing your Database

These nodes allow the agent to interact directly with your Smartoo Data Tables.

• Query data: Searches your database to find records that match specific criteria (e.g., finding all clients tagged as "VIP").
• Create data record: Commands the agent to log a brand new item in a table, such as creating a new "Project" after a deal is won.
• Update data record: Changes the information on an existing record. Use this to automatically change a status to "In Progress," log a timestamp, or reassign an owner.

Collaboration: Keeping People in The Loop

Agents don't have to work completely alone. These nodes pause the AI to get human input.

• Send Task: Send a task to someone for review, approval, or action.
• Send Notification: Sends in-app notification (optional: sending emails).

Integrations: Connecting External Tools

• Create GitHub Issue: Create issue in GitHub repository.
• Update GitHub Issue: Update existing GitHub issue.
• Close GitHub Issue: Close GitHub issue.
• HTTP Request: Call external API (GET only).

Best Practices for Connecting Nodes

• Keep workflows focused: Don't try to build one massive agent that does ten different jobs. It is much easier to manage three simple, focused agents (e.g., one for intake, one for approvals, one for notifications) than one giant web of nodes.
• Test your branches: If you use an If/then condition, make sure you account for what happens if the data doesn't match your exact rules. Always build a "fallback" path.
• Use AI strategically: AI nodes are incredibly powerful, but they take a few seconds to process. Use standard Logic nodes for simple true/false decisions, and save the AI task nodes for moments that actually require reading comprehension or text generation.

In Summary

Understanding the different node types is the key to unlocking the full potential of Smartoo AI Agents. By combining Triggers to wake the agent up, Data nodes to manage your records, and AI tasks to handle the heavy lifting, you can map out virtually any business process. Start by dragging a few simple nodes onto the canvas, test how they connect, and gradually add logic and AI as you get comfortable.