Skip to main content

Glossary

Short definitions of key terms used throughout the Zigflow documentation.

Activity​

A unit of work that can have side effects: HTTP calls, database writes, shell commands. Activities run outside the deterministic Temporal workflow context and are retried automatically on failure.

In Zigflow, tasks such as call: http, call: activity and run execute as Temporal activities.

See also: Temporal docs — activities

Child workflow​

A workflow started by a parent workflow. It runs with its own history and can be awaited by the parent. Used internally by fork, try and certain run modes.

See also: Temporal docs — child workflows

DSL​

Domain-specific language. In this context, the YAML format that Zigflow uses to define workflows.

Zigflow's DSL is based on the CNCF Serverless Workflow v1.0 specification.

Durable timer​

A timer that survives worker restarts. When the timer fires, the workflow resumes. Implemented in Zigflow via the wait task.

Flow directive​

A value that controls workflow execution flow. Valid values:

  • "continue" — proceed to the next task (default)
  • "exit" — exit the current scope
  • "end" — end the workflow
  • A task name — jump to that named task

Used in the switch task.

Namespace (Zigflow)​

The document.namespace field in a Zigflow YAML file. Maps to the Temporal task queue, not the Temporal namespace. Workers register on this task queue; clients must use the same name.

Namespace (Temporal)​

An isolation boundary in Temporal. The default is default. Set at runtime with --temporal-namespace.

Do not confuse with document.namespace.

Query​

A read-only operation on a running workflow. The caller receives an immediate response. Queries cannot modify workflow state.

In Zigflow, handled by the listen task with type: query.

Runtime expression​

An expression inside ${ } that is evaluated at execution time. Uses jq syntax.

See Data and expressions.

Signal​

A one-way message sent to a running workflow. The sender receives no response. The workflow can react to the signal.

In Zigflow, handled by the listen task with type: signal.

Task queue​

A named channel in Temporal that connects clients and workers. Workers poll a task queue for work. Clients start executions on a task queue.

In Zigflow, document.namespace sets the task queue name.

Temporal​

A durable execution platform. Persists workflow state, handles retries and coordinates workers. Zigflow requires a running Temporal server.

See Temporal prerequisites.

Update​

A validated read/write operation on a running workflow. Unlike a signal, the caller receives a response. Unlike a query, an update can modify state.

In Zigflow, handled by the listen task with type: update.

Worker​

A process that polls Temporal for tasks and executes them. zigflow run starts a Temporal worker.

Workflow type​

The name Temporal uses to identify a workflow. In Zigflow, this is document.name. Clients must use this name when starting an execution.