Common workflow validation errors

Use this reference to identify and resolve validation findings that prevent you from publishing a workflow.

Finding Cause Resolution
No steps defined The workflow has a trigger but no action or logic steps. Add at least one step to the workflow before publishing. You can save the workflow without steps, but you cannot publish it.
Disconnected steps One or more steps are not connected to the rest of the workflow. Connect all steps so that every step is reachable from a trigger.
Invalid credential reference A step references a credential that does not exist or belongs to a different project. Update the step to use a credential from the same project as the workflow.
Missing required configuration A step is missing required parameters. Open the step details panel and complete all required fields.
Cycle detected A circular dependency exists in the workflow graph. Remove the connection that creates the loop so that the workflow flows in one direction.
Unconfigured node A placeholder node was added to the canvas but not configured with a step type. Open the step details panel and complete the step configuration.
Invalid variable reference An expression such as${step_id.field} references a node that does not exist or is not upstream of the current step. Correct the node ID in the expression, or verify that the referenced node is connected upstream.
Invalid template expression A${...} expression references an unknown scope or variable. Valid scopes include,trigger,workflow_context,loop (inside loop bodies), and existing node IDs. Correct the scope name in the expression.
Schema version mismatch The workflow definition uses aschema_version that the server does not support. Update theschema_version field to2.0.0 or a version supported by your automation orchestrator installation.
Converge misconfiguration A converge step has fewer than two incoming branches, orn_required exceeds the number of connected branches. Verify that the converge step has at least two incoming connections and thatn_required does not exceed the branch count.
Approval step missing connection An approval step is missing a connection from the Approved branch. Connect the Approved output of the approval step to a downstream step. The Rejected branch is optional.
Condition step missing connection A condition step is missing a connection from the Then branch. Connect the Then output of the condition step to a downstream step. The Else branch is optional.
Empty loop A loop step has no activities in its body. Add at least one step inside the loop by connecting it to the loop output handle.
Definition size exceeds limit The serialized workflow definition exceeds the 1.5 MB maximum. Reduce the size of node configurations, such as inline code or large parameter values.
Node count exceeds limit The workflow contains more than 200 nodes. Break the workflow into smaller, composable workflows.
Edge count exceeds limit The workflow contains more than 500 edges. Simplify connections between nodes or split the workflow.