Getting started with Zoho Flow is straightforward. In a few steps you can sign in, connect your apps, and have your first automated workflow running. This guide walks you through the initial setup process so you can begin automating your routine tasks immediately.

Step 1: Sign In or Sign Up

Visit flow.zoho.com and sign in using your existing Zoho account. If you are already a Zoho One subscriber, you can access Zoho Flow directly through your Zoho One portal without creating a separate account.

If you do not yet have a Zoho account, click Sign Up for Free on the Zoho Flow homepage. Enter your name, email address, and a password to create an account. Zoho Flow offers a free tier that allows you to create flows and test its core functionality before committing to a paid plan.

Step 2: Explore the Dashboard

Once signed in, you land on the Zoho Flow dashboard. From here you can see all your existing flows, check their run history, create new flows, and manage your connections. The left-hand navigation panel gives you quick access to flows, connections, the flow gallery, and account settings.

Step 3: Create a Connection

Before building a flow, you need to authenticate the apps you want to connect. Go to Connections in the navigation panel and click Create Connection. Search for the app you want to connect, then follow the authentication steps, typically an OAuth authorisation screen or an API key entry. Once connected, the app is available to use in any flow you create.

Step 4: Build Your First Flow

1. Click Create Flow. On the dashboard, select the option to create a new flow from scratch, or browse the gallery for a pre-built template that matches your use case.
2. Choose your trigger app. Select the app and the specific event that will start the flow (for example, "New contact in Zoho CRM").
3. Add an action. Choose the app that should respond to the trigger, then select the action to perform (for example, "Create a task in Zoho Projects").
4. Map your data fields. Use the field mapping panel to pass data from the trigger into the action. For example, map the contact's name from Zoho CRM into the task name field in Zoho Projects.
5. Test the flow. Use the built-in testing tool to run the flow with a sample trigger event and verify that the action completes correctly.
6. Enable the flow. Once testing is successful, toggle the flow to Active so it runs automatically whenever the trigger event occurs.

Using the Flow Gallery

The Flow Gallery contains hundreds of pre-built flow templates for common integration scenarios. Browse by app or by business function to find a template that suits your needs. Selecting a template opens it in the flow builder, where you can customise the trigger, actions, and field mappings to match your specific requirements. Templates are a great starting point if you are new to Zoho Flow.