> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.n8n.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.n8n.io/build/understand-workflows.md).

# Understand workflows

Learn about the key components of a workflow in n8n.

A workflow[^1] is a collection of nodes connected together to automate a process. [Create](/build/understand-workflows/create-and-run-workflows.md) a workflow, or use a [workflow template](/build/ways-of-building-workflows/use-templates.md) to help you get started. Once it's running, you can [share](/build/manage-workflows/share-with-others.md) it with others.

If it's your first time building a workflow, you may want to use the [quickstart guide](/build-your-first-workflow.md) to quickly try out n8n features.

## In this section

* [Create and run workflows](/build/understand-workflows/create-and-run-workflows.md): create, run, and publish workflows.
* [Save and publish workflows](/build/understand-workflows/save-and-publish-workflows.md): save, publish, unpublish, and name workflow versions.
* [Create and edit credentials](/build/understand-workflows/create-and-edit-credentials.md): securely store the authentication details your workflows need.
* [Use Gateway credits](/build/understand-workflows/use-gateway-credits.md): run supported AI models and services without setting up your own credentials.
* [Workflow components](/build/understand-workflows/workflow-components.md): the building blocks of a workflow, such as nodes and connections.
* [Understand executions](/build/understand-workflows/understand-executions.md): what an execution is, and how to view, filter, and debug them.

## Related resources

* [Build](/build/readme.md)
* [Build and manage agents](/build/build-and-manage-agents.md)
* [Ways of building workflows](/build/ways-of-building-workflows.md)
* [Manage workflows](/build/manage-workflows.md)
* [Flow logic](/build/flow-logic.md)
* [Work with data](/build/work-with-data.md)
* [Code in n8n](/build/code-in-n8n.md)
* [Integrate AI](/build/integrate-ai.md)
* [Keyboard shortcuts](/build/keyboard-shortcuts.md)

[^1]: An n8n workflow is a collection of nodes that automate a process. Workflows begin execution when a trigger condition occurs and execute sequentially to achieve complex tasks.