name: chaingraph-concepts description: Core ChainGraph domain concepts - flows, nodes, ports, edges, and execution. Use for ANY ChainGraph development to understand the fundamental abstractions. Explains what flows are, how nodes process data, port types (9 types), edge data transfer, and execution lifecycle. 19 FlowEventTypes, 21 ExecutionEventEnums. Triggers: chaingraph, flow, node, port, edge, execution, what is, how does, concept, architecture, event types.

ChainGraph Core Concepts

ChainGraph is a flow-based programming framework for building visual computational graphs. This skill covers the fundamental domain concepts that ALL agents need to understand.

The Four Core Abstractions

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                         FLOW                                │
│  (Directed Acyclic Graph - the container)                   │
│                                                             │
│   ┌─────────┐         ┌─────────┐         ┌─────────┐      │
│   │  NODE   │         │  NODE   │         │  NODE   │      │
│   │ ┌─────┐ │  EDGE   │ ┌─────┐ │  EDGE   │ ┌─────┐ │      │
│   │ │PORT │─┼────────▶│ │PORT │─┼────────▶│ │PORT │ │      │
│   │ └─────┘ │         │ └─────┘ │         │ └─────┘ │      │
│   └─────────┘         └─────────┘         └─────────┘      │
│                                                             │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

1. Flow

A Flow is a directed acyclic graph (DAG) containing interconnected nodes and edges that define a computational workflow.

Key Properties

Property	Type	Description
`id`	string	Unique identifier
`metadata`	FlowMetadata	Name, description, timestamps, version, owner
`nodes`	Map<string, INode>	All nodes in the flow
`edges`	Map<string, IEdge>	All edges connecting nodes

Key Methods

// Add a node to the flow
flow.addNode(node: INode): Promise<INode>

// Connect two ports via edge
flow.connectPorts(sourceNodeId, sourcePortId, targetNodeId, targetPortId): Edge

// Subscribe to flow events
flow.onEvent(handler: (event: FlowEvent) => void): () => void

// Validate entire flow
flow.validate(): Promise<FlowValidationResult>

Key Files

File	Purpose
`packages/chaingraph-types/src/flow/flow.ts:42`	Flow class implementation
`packages/chaingraph-types/src/flow/interface.ts:19-193`	IFlow interface
`packages/chaingraph-types/src/flow/types.ts:12-54`	FlowMetadata type

2. Node

A Node is a discrete computational unit that performs a specific operation on input data and produces output. Nodes are the building blocks of flows.

Node Lifecycle

Idle → Ready → Executing → Completed
                    ↓
                  Error

NodeStatus Enum

enum NodeStatus {
  Idle = 'idle',           // Initial state
  Initialized = 'initialized',
  Ready = 'ready',         // Ready to execute
  Pending = 'pending',     // Waiting for dependencies
  Executing = 'executing', // Currently running
  Completed = 'completed', // Successfully finished
  Skipped = 'skipped',     // Skipped (condition not met)
  Error = 'error',         // Failed with error
  Disposed = 'disposed',   // Cleaned up
}

Key Properties

Property	Type	Description
`id`	string	Unique identifier
`metadata`	NodeMetadata	Type, title, category, description
`status`	NodeStatus	Current execution status
`ports`	Map<string, IPort>	Input and output ports

Key Methods

// Execute the node
node.execute(context: ExecutionContext): Promise<NodeExecutionResult>

// Get a port by ID
node.getPort(portId: string): IPort | undefined

// Validate configuration
node.validate(): Promise<NodeValidationResult>

// Reset to initial state
node.reset(): Promise<void>

NodeMetadata

interface NodeMetadata {
  type: string           // Node class name (required)
  title?: string         // Display name
  category?: NodeCategory // e.g., 'math', 'flow-control', 'ai'
  description?: string
  version?: number
  icon?: string
  tags?: string[]
  parentNodeId?: string  // If nested in group
  ui?: NodeUIMetadata    // Position, dimensions, etc.
}

Key Files

File	Purpose
`packages/chaingraph-types/src/node/base-node.ts`	BaseNode abstract class
`packages/chaingraph-types/src/node/interface.ts:11-14`	INode interface
`packages/chaingraph-types/src/node/node-enums.ts:12-22`	NodeStatus enum
`packages/chaingraph-types/src/node/types.ts:17-31`	NodeMetadata type

3. Port

A Port is a typed input or output connector on a Node through which data flows. Ports are strongly typed and support primitives, arrays, objects, and streams.

Port Direction

type PortDirection = 'input' | 'output' | 'passthrough'

Input: Receives data from connected output ports
Output: Sends data to connected input ports
Passthrough: Both input and output

Port Types (9 Total)

Type	Description	Example Use
`string`	Text values	Names, prompts, API keys
`number`	Numeric values	Counts, scores, coordinates
`boolean`	True/false	Flags, conditions
`array`	List of typed items	Data batches, collections
`object`	Structured data with schema	Complex configs, records
`stream`	Async multi-channel data	Real-time data, LLM tokens
`enum`	Fixed set of options	Dropdown selections
`secret`	Encrypted sensitive data	API keys, passwords
`any`	Untyped (avoid if possible)	Dynamic data

Port Configuration

Each port type has a specific config interface:

interface StringPortConfig {
  type: 'string'
  defaultValue?: string
  minLength?: number
  maxLength?: number
  pattern?: RegExp  // Validation regex
}

interface NumberPortConfig {
  type: 'number'
  defaultValue?: number
  min?: number
  max?: number
  step?: number
  integer?: boolean
}

interface ArrayPortConfig<Item> {
  type: 'array'
  itemConfig: IPortConfig  // Type of each item
  minLength?: number
  maxLength?: number
  isMutable?: boolean      // Can items be added/removed?
}

interface ObjectPortConfig<Schema> {
  type: 'object'
  schema: IObjectSchema    // Properties definition
  isSchemaMutable?: boolean
}

Key Methods

// Get/set port value
port.getValue(): T | undefined
port.setValue(value: T): void

// Validation
port.validate(): boolean

// Serialization
port.serialize(): JSONValue
port.deserialize(data: JSONValue): IPort

// Connection management
port.addConnection(nodeId: string, portId: string): void
port.removeConnection(nodeId: string, portId: string): void

Key Files

File	Purpose
`packages/chaingraph-types/src/port/base/IPort.ts:30-187`	IPort interface
`packages/chaingraph-types/src/port/base/types.ts:84-213`	Port config types
`packages/chaingraph-types/src/port/instances/`	Port implementations
`packages/chaingraph-types/src/port/plugins/`	Validation plugins

4. Edge

An Edge is a directed connection from an output port of one node to an input port of another node, enabling data flow.

Edge Status

enum EdgeStatus {
  Active = 'active',     // Connection working
  Inactive = 'inactive', // Disabled
  Error = 'error',       // Transfer failed
}

Key Properties

Property	Type	Description
`id`	string	Unique identifier
`sourceNode`	INode	Node with output port
`sourcePort`	IPort	Output port
`targetNode`	INode	Node with input port
`targetPort`	IPort	Input port
`metadata`	EdgeMetadata	Label, anchors, version

EdgeMetadata

interface EdgeMetadata {
  label?: string              // Display label
  anchors?: EdgeAnchor[]      // Control points for custom paths
  version?: number            // For optimistic updates
}

interface EdgeAnchor {
  id: string
  x: number                   // Coordinate
  y: number
  index: number               // Order in path
}

Key Files

File	Purpose
`packages/chaingraph-types/src/edge/edge.ts:18`	Edge implementation
`packages/chaingraph-types/src/edge/interface.ts:16-65`	IEdge interface
`packages/chaingraph-types/src/edge/types.ts:12-54`	EdgeStatus, EdgeMetadata

5. Execution

ExecutionContext

The runtime context provided to every executing node:

class ExecutionContext {
  readonly executionId: string      // Unique run ID
  readonly rootExecutionId?: string // Root workflow ID
  readonly parentExecutionId?: string // Parent ID (for children)
  readonly flowId?: string
  readonly userId?: string
  readonly startTime: Date
  readonly abortController: AbortController
  readonly integrations: IntegrationContext  // AI, wallet, etc.
  readonly executionDepth: number  // Prevents infinite recursion (max 100)

  // Event emission (for event-driven execution)
  emitEvent(eventType: string, data: any, nodeId: string): void

  // Port resolution (for stream ports)
  resolvePort(nodeId: string, portId: string): void
  isPortResolved(nodeId: string, portId: string): boolean

  // Get integration data
  getIntegration<T>(type: string): T | undefined
}

ExecutionEngine

Orchestrates flow execution:

class ExecutionEngine {
  constructor(flow: Flow, context: ExecutionContext, options?: ExecutionOptions)

  async execute(): Promise<void>

  // Control flow
  pause(): void
  resume(): void
  stop(reason?: string): void

  // Event handling
  onEvent(eventType: ExecutionEventEnum, callback): void
  onError(callback): void
}

ExecutionOptions

interface ExecutionOptions {
  execution?: {
    maxConcurrency?: number    // Default: 50
    nodeTimeoutMs?: number     // Default: 3600000 (1 hour)
    flowTimeoutMs?: number     // Default: 10800000 (3 hours)
  }
  debug?: boolean              // Enable debugger
  breakpoints?: string[]       // Node IDs to break on
}

Key Files

File	Purpose
`packages/chaingraph-types/src/execution/execution-context.ts:37-320`	ExecutionContext
`packages/chaingraph-types/src/flow/execution-engine.ts:49`	ExecutionEngine

6. Events

Flow Events (FlowEventType)

Events emitted during flow editing (19 total):

Event	Description
`FlowInitStart`	Subscription started
`FlowInitEnd`	Initial state sent
`MetadataUpdated`	Flow metadata changed
`NodesAdded`	Batch nodes added
`NodeAdded`	Single node added
`NodeRemoved`	Node deleted
`NodesUpdated`	Batch nodes updated
`NodeUpdated`	Node data changed
`NodeParentUpdated`	Node parent changed
`PortCreated`	Port added
`PortUpdated`	Port value/config changed
`PortRemoved`	Port deleted
`EdgesAdded`	Batch edges added
`EdgeAdded`	Connection created
`EdgeRemoved`	Connection deleted
`EdgeMetadataUpdated`	Edge metadata changed
`NodeUIPositionChanged`	Node moved
`NodeUIDimensionsChanged`	Node resized
`NodeUIChanged`	General UI changed

Execution Events (ExecutionEventEnum)

Events emitted during execution (21 total):

Event	Description
`EXECUTION_CREATED`	Execution initialized (index -1)
`FLOW_SUBSCRIBED`	Flow subscription confirmed
`FLOW_STARTED`	Execution began
`FLOW_COMPLETED`	Execution finished
`FLOW_FAILED`	Execution errored
`FLOW_CANCELLED`	Execution cancelled
`FLOW_PAUSED`	Execution paused
`FLOW_RESUMED`	Execution resumed
`NODE_STARTED`	Node began executing
`NODE_COMPLETED`	Node finished
`NODE_FAILED`	Node errored
`NODE_SKIPPED`	Node skipped
`NODE_STATUS_CHANGED`	Node status changed
`NODE_DEBUG_LOG_STRING`	Debug log from node
`EDGE_TRANSFER_STARTED`	Data transfer started
`EDGE_TRANSFER_COMPLETED`	Data transferred
`EDGE_TRANSFER_FAILED`	Data transfer failed
`CHILD_EXECUTION_SPAWNED`	Child workflow spawned
`CHILD_EXECUTION_COMPLETED`	Child workflow completed
`CHILD_EXECUTION_FAILED`	Child workflow failed
`DEBUG_BREAKPOINT_HIT`	Debugger breakpoint hit

Key Files

File	Purpose
`packages/chaingraph-types/src/flow/events.ts:17-47`	FlowEventType enum
`packages/chaingraph-types/src/flow/execution-events.ts:15-48`	ExecutionEventEnum

Quick Reference

Creating a Node (with decorators)

import { Node, Input, Output, PortString, PortNumber } from '@badaitech/chaingraph-types'

@Node({
  title: 'Add Numbers',
  category: 'math',
  description: 'Adds two numbers',
})
class AddNode extends BaseNode {
  @Input()
  @PortNumber({ defaultValue: 0 })
  a: number = 0

  @Input()
  @PortNumber({ defaultValue: 0 })
  b: number = 0

  @Output()
  @PortNumber()
  result: number = 0

  async execute(context: ExecutionContext): Promise<NodeExecutionResult> {
    this.result = this.a + this.b
    return {}
  }
}

Data Flow Summary

1. Flow loads nodes and edges
2. ExecutionEngine resolves dependencies (topological sort)
3. Nodes execute in parallel where possible
4. Output port values transfer to connected input ports
5. Events stream in real-time
6. Flow completes or fails

Related Skills

types-architecture - Deep dive into the types package
port-system - Detailed port types and decorators
effector-patterns - Frontend state management
dbos-patterns - Backend durable execution

Unnamed Skill

$ Installieren

ChainGraph Core Concepts

The Four Core Abstractions

1. Flow

Key Properties

Key Methods

Key Files

2. Node

Node Lifecycle

NodeStatus Enum

Key Properties

Key Methods

NodeMetadata

Key Files

3. Port

Port Direction

Port Types (9 Total)

Port Configuration

Key Methods

Key Files

4. Edge

Edge Status

Key Properties

EdgeMetadata

Key Files

5. Execution

ExecutionContext

ExecutionEngine

ExecutionOptions

Key Files

6. Events

Flow Events (FlowEventType)

Execution Events (ExecutionEventEnum)

Key Files

Quick Reference

Creating a Node (with decorators)

Data Flow Summary

Related Skills

Repository

Actions

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