Overview

Actions are the core executable units in compound actions, think of them as your agent’s “doers”. Use this expression to invoke predefined actions.

Key concepts

• Action Types: Supports three types callable via action_name: HTTP actions (for API calls), script actions (for custom logic), and Compound Actions (for reusable workflows).
• Execution Flow: The expression runs the specified action, storing results in an output key variable for downstream use. Delays handle asynchronous behaviors pausing the execution of the flow.
• Dynamic Elements: Pass variables from prior steps or user data using Moveworks Data Mapping; outputs capture full API responses or script results.

Low-Code Editor

Add an action step to the editor, then use the right-hand panel to wire it up. Below, follow the annotated steps to build a simple feature request update (e.g., via an HTTP action). Follow the steps to build a simple action expression.

1. Select Action: Choose from your predefined actions. Tip: If it’s a new action, define it first.
2. Set Output Key Variable: Name a variable to capture the result. This stores the API response or script output for later steps. Tip: Use descriptive names like update_output to avoid debugging headaches.
3. Set Dynamic Inputs Map inputs via code editor fields such as feature_request_id: data.feature_id. Common Pitfall: Ensure vars exist upstream.
4. Set Execution Updates Customize user-facing messages for pending (“Updating feature request, please wait…”) and complete (“The feature request has been successfully updated!”) states.
5. Delay Action Execution Add a wait (e.g., 3 seconds) via units like seconds or minutes.

Syntax Reference

Schema

1
action:
2
  action_name: ACTION_NAME*  # str: HTTP/script/compound action ID (e.g., 'fetch_user_details')
3
  output_key: OUTPUT_VAR*    # any: Variable to store results (e.g., 'user_details')
4
  input_args:                # dict: Dynamic params (uses Data Mapping Syntax)
5
    key1: VALUE_EXPR         # e.g., data.user_id or static '''abc123'''
6
    key2: VALUE_EXPR
7
  progress_updates:          # dict: User messages (optional)
8
    on_pending: 'PENDING_MSG'  # e.g., "Fetching details..."
9
    on_complete: 'COMPLETE_MSG' # e.g., "Success!"
10
  delay_config:              # dict: Wait time (optional; DSL number expr per unit)
11
    seconds: 'DSL_EXPR'       # e.g., "10" or "data.delay"
12
    # Other units: minutes, hours, days
13
    # Max delay: 30 days (enforced across all units combined)

Fields

Practical Examples

Example 1: Basic HTTP Action

Retrieve user info via API, with progress feedback

1
action:
2
  action_name: fetch_user_details  # HTTP action
3
  output_key: user_details
4
  input_args:
5
    user_id: data.user_id     # Dynamic from input args
6
  delay_config:
7
    seconds: "5"                  # Brief pause before executing
8
  progress_updates:
9
    on_pending: "Looking up your profile..."
10
    on_complete: "Profile loaded!"

Expected Output

1
data: {
2
  user_details: {
3
    "user_id": "abc123",
4
    "name": "Jane Smith",
5
    "email": "jane@example.com"
6
  }
7
}

The API response is stored un the user_details output key defined above and is now available in the data bank for any downstream steps.

Example 2: Script Action

Run a script action that add two strings together

Python script

1
return str1 + " " + str2

Action

1
action:
2
  action_name: add_two_strings     # Script action
3
  output_key: concatenated_strings
4
  input_args:
5
    str1: meta_info.user.name
6
    str2: '''is an AI Engineer'''

Example 3: Nested Compound Action

Run a compound action that approves and notifies a ticket

Nested Compound Action

1
# approve_and_notify
2
steps:
3
  - action:
4
      action_name: approve_ticket  
5
      output_key: approved_ticket_output
6
      input_args:
7
        ticket_id: data.ticket_id
8
        status: '''approved'''
9
  - action:
10
      action_name: notify_team
11
      output_key: notified_team_output
12
      input_args:
13
        team_id: data.approved_ticket_output.team_id

Action calling nested compound action

1
action:
2
  action_name: approve_and_notify  # Compound action
3
  output_key: ticket_status
4
  input_args:
5
    ticket_id: data.ticket_id
6
  progress_updates:
7
    on_complete: "Ticket approved and team notified!"