# Workflow and Procedure errors

Workflows and Procedures are validated when authored and checked again at runtime. This prevents a deleted Tool, invalid reference, or unsafe state from turning into silent behavior.

## Symptom

A draft cannot be saved, a Workflow stops without reaching the intended node, a Procedure fails during a step, or Test Chat ends with a safe generic failure instead of executing malformed authored logic.

## Cause

Common causes include missing node or step references, cycles where they are not allowed, invalid expressions, a deleted Tool, an empty required field, and runtime transition limits. `workflow_failed` is the public safe code when authored execution cannot continue. Detailed provider or secret material is not returned to the caller.

## Verify

Review every validation path shown by the editor. Confirm Workflow edges target existing nodes, the first matching edge is intentional, Procedure sub-steps reference existing Procedures, and Tools still exist. In Activity, note the last successful node or step and whether the failure occurred during draft validation or execution.

## Recovery

Repair all reported paths, restore missing resources, and run the draft in a new Test Chat. For an expression, test exact input types rather than relying on coercion. For a transition-limit failure, simplify or terminate the loop. Publish only after the corrected path completes.

## Escalation

Escalate a minimal reproducible Workflow or Procedure structure with safe identifiers, the failing node or step, UTC time, and code. Remove customer text and Secret values. See [Workflow runtime troubleshooting](/docs/workflows/runtime-and-troubleshooting), [Procedure runtime troubleshooting](/docs/procedures/runtime-and-troubleshooting), and [Tool safety errors](/docs/reference/tool-safety-errors).

## Error code index

- `workflow_failed` — authored Workflow or Procedure execution could not continue safely.

Operade does not promise that a broken draft will be made executable automatically; explicit correction and retesting are required.