Live Variables

Variables are the runtime parameters that control how your automation flows behave. They are defined inside flows (in Variable blocks) and configured here before or during program execution.

How Variables Work

When you design flows in the Flow Editor, you create global variables like pH Need = 6.2 or Dose Amount = 1. The Variable system lets you configure different values per time window before execution:

Flow Design (defaults) → Load Program → Configure Variables (per window) → Execution

Important: Variables are stored at the context level. Each trigger × flow combination creates a unique context — the same flow can have different variable values in different triggers or windows.

Accessing Variables

Click the ⚙️ Variables button in the Dashboard header. The wizard shows all time windows with their configuration status:

Status	Color	Meaning
Missing	🔴 Red	Required variables have no value — blocks the Start button
Needs Review	🟠 Orange	Variables have defaults but haven’t been confirmed
Configured	🟢 Green	All variables are set and confirmed

You can start the program with orange (unconfirmed) variables — defaults will be used. Red (missing) variables block the Start button entirely.

Click Configure on any window to open the detailed editor:

Left Sidebar — Contexts

Contexts grouped by trigger or fallback source:

Group	Description
Trigger: [Name]	Variables from flows executed by this trigger
Fallback: [Name]	Variables from fallback flows

Right Panel — Variable Editor

Column	Description
Variable / Parameter	Name, type, description, and display unit
Target Value	Input field. Shows default badge or reset button.
Tolerance / Mode	Tolerance value (±) and direction toggle

Tolerance Mode

Click the mode button to cycle through three modes:

Mode	Icon	Formula	Use Case
Symmetric	±	Target ± Tolerance (both directions)	Most common
Lower Only	↓	Target − Tolerance to Target	Only allow deviation downward
Upper Only	↑	Target to Target + Tolerance	Only allow deviation upward

Example: pH Need = 6.2 with tolerance ± 0.2 means values between 6.0 and 6.4 are acceptable.

Saving Variables

Important: Variable changes take effect immediately — even while the program is running. The next trigger evaluation will use the updated values. You can adjust target pH, temperature thresholds, or dose amounts in real-time without stopping the program.

Troubleshooting

Problem	Solution
Start button disabled	Red variables need values before the program can start
Variables show “default” (orange)	These work but aren’t confirmed. Open the modal and click Save.
Changed a variable but behavior didn’t change	Changes apply on the next trigger evaluation cycle — wait for the check interval