Build Your First Flow

Create a Cube that changes from scale (1, 1, 1) to (2, 2, 2) when Play Mode starts. This result exercises the complete Flow Core loop without requiring C#.

What you will build

Before (left): scale (1, 1, 1). After (right): scale (2, 2, 2) in Play Mode.

Watch the complete first-graph authoring loop, then use the written steps below as the exact configuration for this tutorial.

Create the scene owner

1. Create a Cube and name it Growing Cube.
2. Keep its Transform scale at (1, 1, 1).
3. Add a FlowCoreProcess component.
4. Add a Blackboard component to the same GameObject.

Keeping the process, Blackboard, and visible object together makes the first runtime ownership path easy to inspect.

The visible object also owns its process and typed data.

Create and assign the graph

1. In the Project window, use Create > Flow Core > Flow Graph.
2. Name the asset GrowCubeFlow.
3. Return to Growing Cube and assign GrowCubeFlow to its FlowCoreProcess.

The graph stores authored nodes and connections. Assigning it to the process creates the scene relationship that will build a runtime instance.

Add the typed value

1. Open the Blackboard component’s Edit view.
2. Add a Vector3 key named TargetScale.
3. Set its value to (2, 2, 2).
4. In FlowCoreProcess, choose Open Full Configuration, open Blackboards, and add this Blackboard to Local Blackboards at index 0.

The process reads the configured Vector3 from Local Blackboard zero.

Add the Start Trigger

1. Open GrowCubeFlow in the Flow Graph Editor.
2. Set Debug Context to Growing Cube.
3. Right-click the canvas and add a Trigger node.
4. Set Bus to Unity.
5. Set Unity Event to Start.

Unity will publish this lifecycle event after the process builds its runtime in Play Mode.

Add the scaling Action

1. Add an Action node.
2. Connect Trigger.Out to Action.In.
3. Select the Action and confirm the Flow Inspector shows that Action. Expand its Instructions section and use Add Instruction to choose Set LocalScale from Transform/GameObject.
4. Expand the new Instruction. Under Instance, set Source to Payload and Payload Mode to Self. Keep the instruction’s component Scope set to Self.
5. Under Value, set Source to Flow Core Process.
6. In its Blackboard settings, select Scope: Local, Index: 0, and Key: TargetScale.

The execution connection starts the scaling Action when Play Mode begins.

Instance uses Source Payload and Payload Mode Self. Value uses Flow Core Process, Scope Local, Index 0, and Key TargetScale.

Single Focus opens the entry you are editing while retaining the sections needed to reach it. If the pane is pinned to another node, unlock it before configuring this Action. Use the entry’s Information command for field explanations, or More > Open Editor for a dedicated Instruction window. Both edit the same Instruction; opening a window does not add another operation.

Verify the result

1. Save the scene and graph.
2. Select Growing Cube and confirm its scale is (1, 1, 1) before Play Mode.
3. Enter Play Mode.
4. Confirm its Transform scale becomes (2, 2, 2).
5. Exit Play Mode and confirm the authored Transform returns to (1, 1, 1).

Common Mistakes

What You Built

You authored behavior in a Flow Graph, gave that graph a scene runtime through FlowCoreProcess, stored configuration in a typed Blackboard, started a chain from a Unity Trigger, and used an Action to change a Unity component.

Change TargetScale to (1, 3, 1) and run the scene again. The visible result should change without editing graph topology.

Related Capabilities

• Flow Core in Five Concepts
• Blackboard & Typed Values
• Graph Editor
• Node Inspector & Entry Editing
• Choose Your Next Path