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Architect Overview

Navigation: Admin → Architect (opens in a separate browser window) Last verified: Genesys Cloud Resource Center — March 2026


What Is Architect?

Architect is Genesys Cloud's visual flow design environment. It is where administrators build, manage, and publish the interaction routing logic that handles every inbound call, message, email, and chat that enters the contact center.

Architect operates independently from the Admin console — it opens in its own browser window and has its own toolbar, canvas, and toolbox.

⚠️ If Architect does not open, check your browser's pop-up blocker and allow pop-ups from your Genesys Cloud domain.


Accessing Architect

  1. Log in to Genesys Cloud
  2. Click Admin
  3. Search or scroll to Architect
  4. Architect opens in a new browser window

Interface Areas

Area Description
Toolbar Save, validate, publish, version history, debug, and execution history controls
Toolbox Drag-and-drop action categories used to build flow logic
Workspace Flow design canvas where components are placed and connected
Properties Panel Configuration panel for the currently selected component
Flow Outline Auto-generated structural outline of the flow

Toolbar Reference

Tool Description
Save Saves the current state without affecting the live production version — must publish separately to go live
Check In Saves the version and releases the edit lock so other users can open and edit the flow
Undo / Redo Reverses or reapplies recent changes made during the current edit session
Zoom In / Out Adjusts the visual scale of the canvas for navigating large or complex flows
Validate Checks for configuration issues — yellow = warnings (publishing still allowed); red = errors (must resolve before publishing)
Publish Deploys the flow to the live contact center; status displays as Validating → Publishing → Published; a version number appears in the Published column after success
Debug Creates a debug-enabled version accessible via SIP address (YourCallFlow-debug@localhost) to test from the caller's perspective; requires no validation errors; English-language flows only
Execution History Lists all previous execution instances with name, version, flow type, and timestamps; click any instance to open in Replay Mode
Search Finds components, milestones, actions, and variables within the flow — useful in large or complex flows
Version History Shows all saved versions with publish status, check-in date, and author; previous versions open read-only — from there you can export, use Save As, or unpublish the active version
Import / Export Imports or exports the flow as a file; each flow type uses a distinct extension (e.g. .i3InboundFlow, .i3OutboundFlow) to prevent importing incompatible types
Print / PDF Exports a visual or printable representation of the flow

Toolbox Categories

Available categories vary by flow type and license plan.

Category Description
Audio Play prompts (TTS or recorded), whisper audio to agents, flush queued audio
Bot Integrate conversational AI bots (Genesys Dialog Engine or external platforms)
Data Retrieve or manipulate data via APIs, data tables, or external services — includes Call Data Action, Data Table Lookup, Update Data, Encrypt/Decrypt Data
Find Dynamically locate resources at runtime — queues, users, schedules, groups, language skills
Flow Interaction-level actions — Create Callback, Set Screen Pop, Set Wrap-Up Code, post-flow routing
Logical Decision-making and schedule-based routing — Decision (if/else), Switch, Evaluate Schedule, Evaluate Schedule Group
Loop Repeat sections of a task sequence — Loop, Next Loop, Exit Loop; supports fixed count, collection iteration, and condition-based looping
Menu IVR menus for DTMF or speech input — Menu, Repeat Menu, Previous Menu, Jump to Menu
Task Group logic into reusable routines — Task, Call Task, Jump to Reusable Task, End Task
Transfer Route callers to a destination — Transfer to ACD, Transfer to User, Transfer to Number, Transfer to Group, Transfer to Flow, Transfer to Secure Flow, Transfer to Voicemail
Disconnect End the call or interaction — terminal action when no further routing is needed

Workspace and Canvas

Feature Description
Canvas Primary drag-and-drop area where flow components are placed, arranged, and connected
Connections Visual lines representing execution paths — update automatically as components are linked or moved
Flow Variables System variables (e.g. caller ANI) and user-defined variables used to control behaviour and pass data between actions
Selected Component Properties Configuration area for the active component — variable bindings, routing targets, behaviour options

ℹ️ Copy/paste tip: You can cut, copy, and paste components within a flow or between flows — up to 10 task editor actions at a time. Clipboard content does not persist across browser tabs.


Properties Panel

Setting Description
Component Configuration Operational settings — routing behaviour, prompts, logic conditions, integration parameters
Input / Output Variables Variables used to receive or return data during execution — commonly used with Data Actions
Default Paths Fallback execution route when no specific condition is met — ensures the flow continues safely
Language Settings Multi-language prompt and behaviour configuration — languages must be enabled in Supported Languages before use at the component level
Component Validation Missing or incorrect settings highlighted in red (errors) or yellow (warnings)

Debug and Replay Mode

Tool Description
Debug Mode Activated from the Publish menu → Debug; creates a testable version via SIP address; lets you hear the flow as a caller and see decision outcomes and action results; requires clean validation; English only
Execution History Toolbar access; lists all previous execution instances with name, version, flow type, and timestamps; click any instance to open in Replay Mode
Replay Mode Step-by-step playback of a previous execution — use play, pause, step in/out/over, and breakpoints to inspect each action; panels show variable state, communication data, and stack info at each point; used for root cause analysis on routing issues

Flow Management

Feature Description
Create / Copy / Delete Flows can be created from scratch, copied from existing flows, or deleted — always review dependencies before deleting
Dependency Review Identifies where a flow is referenced across the platform — prevents accidental removal of flows still in use
Import / Export Export flow config files for backup or migration; distinct file extensions per flow type prevent incompatible imports
Check In / Check Out Checkout locks the flow under your account; check in saves the version and releases the lock
Read-Only Mode Applies when another user has the flow locked, you only have View permission, or you are viewing a previous version — you can export or Save As but cannot edit or publish
Execution History & Replay Monitor behaviour, troubleshoot routing issues, and analyse execution paths post-publish

Best Practices

Practice Why
Save and check in frequently Prevents losing progress; enables collaboration with other flow authors
Use meaningful names Flows, tasks, menus, and variables should be self-documenting — reduces time spent inspecting logic during troubleshooting
Add descriptions to flows Documents intent and expected behaviour for future admins
Keep the canvas organised Logical alignment and grouping improves readability in complex flows
Use Reusable Tasks and Menus Breaks large flows into modular components — simplifies maintenance and enables logic reuse
Validate before publishing Resolve all red errors; review yellow warnings even if they don't block publish
Test with Debug Mode Always test from the caller's perspective before pushing to production
Monitor with Execution History Use Replay Mode to verify behaviour and trace unexpected outcomes after calls
Review dependencies before deleting Prevents breaking other flows, queues, or integrations that reference the resource
Document flow logic Wiki entries or internal notes describing design decisions and dependencies support long-term maintainability

Flow Types Reference

Flow Type Used For
Inbound Call Handling inbound voice calls
Inbound Message SMS and digital messaging interactions
Inbound Email Inbound email handling
Inbound Chat Web chat interactions
Outbound Outbound campaign call handling
In-Queue Call Logic running while a caller waits in queue
Secure Call PCI-compliant DTMF capture flows
Bot Conversational bot flows

See Also

  • Call Flow UI – Complete Reference — left panel sections, flow configuration, and dependencies in detail
  • Call Flow Components & Basics — action-by-action reference for building flows
  • Prompt Management — creating and managing the audio used inside flows
  • Call Routing & Message Routing — how inbound numbers and addresses connect to flows
  • Lab: Explore the Architect Interface — hands-on walkthrough (How-To book)