Workflow Data Model

This page defines the protobuf data structures used to define and configure workflows in the Ema platform.

WorkflowDef

The top-level workflow definition.

Field	Type	Description
`workflow_name`	RegisteredWorkflowName	Unique identifier for the workflow
`actions`	repeated ActionInstance	List of action instances in the workflow
`enum_types`	repeated EnumType	Enum types used in this workflow
`workflow_inputs`	map<string, WorkflowInput>	Map of workflow input definitions
`display_settings_workflow_inputs`	DisplaySettings	Display settings for workflow inputs
`results`	map<string, ResultDef>	Map of workflow result definitions (legacy)
`named_results`	map<string, NamedOutput>	Map of named output definitions (preferred)
`display_name`	string	User-friendly display name
`description`	string	Description of the workflow
`named_results_editable`	bool	Whether named results are editable
`named_results_enabled`	bool	Whether named results protocol is active

RegisteredWorkflowName

Field	Type	Description
`namespace`	repeated string	Namespace path (e.g., `["ema", "personas", "<id>"]`)
`name`	string	Workflow name within the namespace
`version`	string	Version string

ActionInstance

An instance of an action within a workflow, including its input bindings.

Field	Type	Description
`name`	string	Unique name of this action instance
`action_type`	RegisteredActionName	Reference to the registered action type
`input_bindings`	map<string, InputBinding>	Map of input parameter name to binding
`condition`	Condition	Optional condition for execution
`display_name`	string	User-friendly display name
`description`	string	Description of what this instance does
`tool`	Tool	Optional tool configuration
`input_parameter_override`	InputParameterOverride	Overrides for input parameters

RegisteredActionName

Field	Type	Description
`namespace`	repeated string	Namespace path
`name`	string	Action name (e.g., `search`, `call_llm`)
`version`	string	Version string (e.g., `v2`)

InputBinding

Defines how an action input receives its value.

Field	Type	Description
`source`	oneof	The source of the binding (see below)

Source Types

Source Type	Fields	Description
`action_output`	`action_name`, `output_name`	Output from another action
`workflow_input`	`input_name`	Workflow-level input
`static_value`	`value`	A constant Value
`condition_binding`	`condition`, `if_true`, `if_false`	Conditional source selection

ActionOutputBinding

Field	Type	Description
`action_name`	string	Name of the source action instance
`output_name`	string	Name of the output parameter

Tool

Configuration for an external tool used by an action.

Field	Type	Description
`tool_name`	string	Name of the tool
`tool_config`	object	Tool-specific configuration
`integration_id`	string	Integration identifier

Condition

A condition that determines whether an action executes.

Field	Type	Description
`operator`	ConditionOperator	Comparison operator
`left`	ConditionOperand	Left operand
`right`	ConditionOperand	Right operand

ConditionOperator Enum

Value	Description
`EQUALS`	Exact equality
`NOT_EQUALS`	Not equal
`CONTAINS`	Left contains right
`NOT_CONTAINS`	Left does not contain right
`GREATER_THAN`	Numeric greater than
`LESS_THAN`	Numeric less than
`IS_TRUE`	Boolean true check
`IS_FALSE`	Boolean false check

Complete list of ConditionOperator values.

TypeReference

A reference to a data type used in inputs and outputs.

Field	Type	Description
`well_known`	WellKnownType	A well-known primitive type
`enum_ref`	string	Reference to an EnumType by name
`array_of`	TypeReference	Array of the referenced type

EnumType

A custom enum type used within a workflow.

Field	Type	Description
`name`	string	Name of the enum type
`values`	repeated string	Allowed values for the enum

WorkflowInput

An input parameter for the workflow.

Field	Type	Description
`type`	TypeReference	Data type of the input
`display_name`	string	User-friendly name
`description`	string	Description of the input
`required`	bool	Whether the input is required

ResultDef (Legacy)

A result definition for the legacy output protocol.

Field	Type	Description
`action_name`	string	Name of the action producing the result
`output_name`	string	Name of the output parameter

NamedOutput (Preferred)

A named output definition for the preferred output protocol.

Field	Type	Description
`action_name`	string	Name of the action producing the output
`output_name`	string	Name of the output parameter
`display_name`	string	User-friendly name for the output
`type`	TypeReference	Data type of the output

Workflow Overview -- Concepts and architecture
Action Data Model -- Action type structures
Workflow API -- API endpoints

Last updated: Jul 3, 2026