IVR Flow Builder Help Documentation

Introduction

IVR Flow Builder is a web-based tool for creating Interactive Voice Response (IVR) workflows. It provides a visual interface for designing call flows using a drag-and-drop approach, making it easy to create complex IVR systems without writing code.

Tip: Before starting a new IVR flow, sketch out your desired call flow on paper to plan the structure and identify all possible paths.

Getting Started

Initial Setup

When you first open the application, you'll see a blank canvas with a Start node.
The left sidebar contains all available node types.
The top toolbar provides access to save, load, and export functions.

Basic Workflow

Drag nodes from the sidebar onto the canvas
Connect nodes by dragging from one node's output to another node's input
Configure each node by clicking its edit icon (✎)
Validate your flow using the built-in validator
Export to Asterisk dialplan when ready

User Interface

Canvas Controls

Zoom: Use the + and - buttons in the bottom right corner
Pan: Click and drag on empty canvas space
Sidebar: Toggle sidebar width using the arrow button

Node Controls

Move: Click and drag nodes
Edit: Click the ✎ icon
Delete: Select node and press Delete key
Connect: Drag from output port to input port

Node Types

Basic Elements

Node	Description	Configuration
Start Node	Entry point for the IVR flow	Context name
Play Audio	Plays audio file to caller	Sound file name
Dial	Makes outbound call	Phone number, timeout, continue on hangup
Answer	Answers incoming call	None required
Hangup	Ends the call	Optional message

Flow Control

Node	Description	Configuration	Outputs
Menu	Creates an IVR menu with multiple options	Prompt sound file Menu options (1-6) Invalid input handling Timeout duration	8 outputs: Options 1-6 Invalid Timeout
Time Condition	Routes calls based on time/date	Time range Days of week Specific dates Timezone	2 outputs: In Hours After Hours
GotoIf	Conditional branching based on variable value	Variable name Condition (=, >, <, ≠) Value to compare	2 outputs: True False
Goto	Unconditional jump to another context	Target context Target extension Target priority	No outputs

Best Practice: Always handle both success and failure paths in your flow control nodes to ensure proper error handling.

Menu Node Usage

The Menu node is one of the most commonly used flow control elements. Here's how to use it effectively:

Setup
- Record clear prompts for your menu options
- Keep options simple and clear
- Limit menu depth to 2-3 levels
- Always provide a way to reach an operator
Configuration
- Set appropriate timeout values (3-5 seconds typically)
- Configure invalid input handling
- Set up timeout handling
- Consider repeat options for unclear input
Testing
- Test all menu options
- Verify invalid input handling
- Check timeout behavior
- Test with different user inputs

Time Condition Usage

Time Condition nodes help you route calls differently based on time and date:

Business Hours
- Set regular business hours
- Configure different weekend handling
- Set up holiday schedules
After Hours
- Voicemail options
- Emergency contact information
- Next business day handling

Actions

Node	Description	Configuration	Outputs
Queue	Places caller in a queue	Queue name Timeout settings Announcements Max wait time	4 outputs: Answered Timeout Full Failed
Record	Records caller audio	Filename Format (wav/gsm) Max duration Silence detection	2 outputs: Success Failed
Set Variable	Sets a channel variable	Variable name Value	1 output: Next
Read Input	Reads DTMF input from caller	Variable name Prompt Max digits Timeout	1 output: Next

Important: When using Record nodes, ensure you have sufficient storage space and implement proper file cleanup procedures.

Queue Management

Effective queue management is crucial for handling high call volumes:

Queue Configuration
- Set appropriate max wait times
- Configure position announcements
- Set up periodic announcements
- Configure agent wrap-up time
Queue Features
- Position announcements
- Estimated wait time
- Periodic announcements
- Queue callback options

Advanced

Node	Description	Configuration	Outputs
AGI	Executes custom scripts	Script path Arguments Timeout	1 output: Next
Conference	Creates/joins conference rooms	Room name PIN options Max participants Recording settings	No outputs
Custom Context	Custom dialplan integration	Context name Extension Priority	No outputs
Say	Text-to-speech output	Text content Language Type (number/date/etc)	1 output: Next

AGI Script Integration

AGI (Asterisk Gateway Interface) allows integration with external scripts:

Script Development
- Use any programming language
- Handle input/output properly
- Implement error handling
- Add logging for debugging
Integration Points
- Database lookups
- External API calls
- Complex calculations
- Custom integrations

Tip: Always implement proper error handling and logging in AGI scripts to facilitate debugging.

Common Flow Examples

Basic Menu System

    Start → Answer → Play Welcome → Menu
    Menu Option 1 → Queue
    Menu Option 2 → Play Hours → Hangup
    Menu Option 0 → Transfer to Operator
    Menu Invalid → Play Invalid → Return to Menu
    Menu Timeout → Play Timeout → Hangup

Business Hours Routing

    Start → Answer → Time Condition
    Time In Hours → Menu
    Time After Hours → Play Closed → Voicemail → Hangup

Queue with Callback

    Queue → Check Position
    Position > 5 → Offer Callback → Read Input
    Input = 1 → Record Number → Queue Callback
    Input = 2 → Return to Queue

Working with Nodes

Quick Tip: You can drag-and-drop nodes from the sidebar or double-click on the canvas to add nodes quickly. Use the mouse wheel while holding CTRL to zoom in/out of the canvas.

Node Basics

Node Anatomy

Title Bar: Contains node type and edit icon
Input Ports: Left side connection points
Output Ports: Right side connection points
Configuration Display: Shows current settings
Node ID: Unique identifier for the node

Node States

State	Visual Indicator	Description
Normal	Default appearance	Node is configured and ready
Selected	Blue highlight	Node is currently selected
Error	Red border	Configuration error or validation failure
Connected	Green indicator on ports	Port has active connection

Node Operations

Adding Nodes

There are three ways to add nodes to your flow:

Drag and Drop
- Click and hold a node type from the sidebar
- Drag it onto the canvas
- Release to place the node
Quick Add
- Double-click on the canvas
- Select node type from the popup menu
- Node will be placed at click location
Keyboard Shortcut
- Press 'N' to open node menu
- Type node type name
- Press Enter to place at cursor

Node Configuration

To configure a node:

Click the edit icon (✎) on the node
Fill in required fields in the configuration panel
- Required fields are marked with *
- Invalid entries show red highlights
- Validation messages appear below fields
Click Save or press Enter to apply changes

Important: Always validate your input values. Invalid configurations can cause unexpected behavior in your IVR flow.

Working with Connections

Creating Connections

Click and hold on an output port (right side)
Drag to an input port (left side) of another node
Release to create the connection

Pro Tip: Hold Shift while dragging to create a straight line connection instead of a curved one.

Connection Rules

Input ports can only accept one connection
Output ports can connect to multiple inputs (except in special cases)
Connections cannot create loops (except in specific flow control nodes)
Some node types have specific connection requirements

Managing Connections

Action	How to Perform	Notes
Delete Connection	Right-click on connection line	Or select and press Delete
Reroute Connection	Drag from middle point	Creates new routing path
Add Checkpoint	Double-click on connection line	Helps organize complex flows
Label Connection	Double-click label area	Adds description to connection

Organizing Nodes

Layout Best Practices

Maintain left-to-right flow direction
Group related nodes together
Leave space for future additions
Align nodes for better readability
Use connection labels for clarity

Node Alignment Tools

Use these keyboard shortcuts for precise alignment:

Ctrl + Left/Right - Align horizontally
Ctrl + Up/Down - Align vertically
Ctrl + A - Select all nodes
Ctrl + G - Group selected nodes
Ctrl + Space - Auto-arrange selected nodes

Organization Tip: Use the grid snap feature (toggle with 'G' key) to maintain consistent spacing between nodes.

Node Management

Common Operations

Operation	Keyboard Shortcut	Description
Copy Node	Ctrl + C	Copies selected node with configuration
Paste Node	Ctrl + V	Pastes copied node at cursor
Delete Node	Delete	Removes node and its connections
Duplicate Node	Ctrl + D	Creates copy at offset position
Reset Node	Ctrl + R	Resets node to default configuration

Node Validation

Nodes are automatically validated when:

Configuration is changed
Connections are modified
Flow validation is run
Before export operations

Validation Warning: Address all validation errors before exporting your flow. Invalid configurations may cause runtime errors.

Troubleshooting Nodes

Common Issues

Issue	Possible Cause	Solution
Node won't connect	Incompatible port types	Check node documentation for valid connections
Configuration not saving	Validation errors	Check error messages in configuration panel
Node not executing	Missing connections	Verify all required connections are made
Unexpected behavior	Incorrect configuration	Review node settings and documentation

Debug Tools

Node Inspector: Right-click → Inspect
Connection Tester: Right-click → Test Connection
Flow Validator: Tools → Validate Flow
Debug Console: View → Show Debug Console

Saving and Loading IVR Flows

Best Practice: Save your work frequently and maintain version numbers in your filenames for better tracking of changes.

Saving Your Flow

Save Options

Method	Shortcut	Description	Use Case
Quick Save	Ctrl + S	Saves to last used location	Frequent saves during work
Save As	Ctrl + Shift + S	Save with new name/location	Creating versions or templates
Auto-Save	N/A	Automatic backup every 5 minutes	Recovery from crashes
Export	Ctrl + E	Saves in specific format	Sharing or deployment

File Naming Conventions

Recommended format: project_name_YYYYMMDD_version.json

project_name: Descriptive name of your IVR project
YYYYMMDD: Date in ISO format
version: Version number or stage (e.g., v1, draft, final)

Examples:

sales_ivr_20240126_v1.json
support_queue_20240126_draft.json
holiday_menu_20240126_final.json

Save Location Options

Local Storage: Browser-based temporary storage
File System: Local computer storage
Project Directory: Designated project folder
Backup Location: Secondary storage location

Auto-Save Features

Auto-Save Configuration

Setting	Default	Recommended	Description
Interval	5 minutes	2-5 minutes	Time between auto-saves
Versions Kept	3	5-10	Number of backups retained
Location	temp/	project/backups/	Auto-save file location

Important: Auto-save is a backup feature and should not replace regular manual saves of your work.

Recovering Auto-Saved Files

Open the IVR Flow Builder
Go to File → Recover Auto-Saved Files
Select from available backup versions
Review and save recovered file

Loading IVR Flows

Load Methods

Method 1: File Menu

Click File → Open or press Ctrl + O
Navigate to your flow file
Select and click Open

Method 2: Drag and Drop

Locate your flow file in file explorer
Drag the file onto the IVR Flow Builder window
File will automatically load

Method 3: Recent Files

Click File → Recent Files
Select from list of recently opened flows

File Validation

When loading a file, the system performs these checks:

File format verification
Node compatibility check
Connection integrity validation
Configuration completeness

Version Control

Built-in Version Control

Feature	Description	Access Method
History	View previous versions	Edit → History
Restore Points	Return to previous state	File → Restore Point
Compare Versions	View changes between saves	Tools → Compare

External Version Control

For team environments, consider using:

Git repository for flow files
Shared network drive with versioning
Cloud storage with version history

Data Preservation

Saved Data Elements

Node Configuration:
- Node types and positions
- Individual node settings
- Custom properties
Connections:
- Connection paths
- Connection labels
- Routing points
Canvas State:
- Zoom level
- Canvas position
- Grid settings
Metadata:
- Creation date
- Last modified
- Author information

Pro Tip: Export your flows regularly to multiple locations for redundancy. Consider using cloud storage for important projects.

Troubleshooting

Common Issues and Solutions

Issue	Possible Cause	Solution
Save Failed	Insufficient permissions	Check folder permissions
File Corrupted	Incomplete save operation	Restore from auto-save
Load Error	Incompatible version	Check file version compatibility
Missing Data	Partial save/load	Use version history to recover

Error Recovery Steps

Check Auto-Save:
- Look for recent auto-saved versions
- Compare with last known good state
Verify File:
- Check file integrity
- Validate JSON structure
Restore Backup:
- Use built-in restore features
- Check external backups

Remote API Integration

New Feature: The IVR Flow Builder now supports integration with remote APIs to save, load, and manage your IVR flows across different environments.

API Configuration

Setting Up Remote API

Access API Settings
- Click on the "Remote" dropdown in the top navigation bar
- Select "Configure API" from the dropdown menu
Configure Connection
- Enter the API endpoint URL in the "API Endpoint" field
- Enter your API key in the "API Key" field
- Click "Test Connection" to verify your settings
- Click "Save" to store your API configuration

Important: Your API endpoint and key are stored locally in your browser. Ensure you are using a secure connection when configuring API access.

Working with Remote Flows

Saving Flows to Remote Server

Click on the "Remote" dropdown in the top navigation
Select "Save to Remote" from the dropdown menu
Enter a name for your flow in the dialog
Click "Save" to upload your flow to the remote server

Loading Flows from Remote Server

Click on the "Remote" dropdown in the top navigation
Select "Open from Remote" from the dropdown menu
Browse or search for your flow in the list
Click on the flow you want to load

Saving Dialplan to Remote Server

Click on the "Remote" dropdown in the top navigation
Select "Save Dialplan to Remote" from the dropdown menu
Enter a name for the dialplan and the context name
Click "Save" to upload the generated dialplan to the server

API Troubleshooting

Common Connection Issues

Issue	Possible Cause	Solution
Connection Failed	Incorrect API endpoint URL	Verify the URL is correct and includes the protocol (https://)
Authentication Failed	Invalid API key	Check your API key for accuracy
Timeout Error	Server response delay	Check server status or try again later
CORS Error	Cross-origin restriction	Ensure the API server allows requests from your domain

Exporting IVR Flows

Best Practice: Always validate your flow before exporting to ensure all paths are properly configured and all required nodes are connected.

Available Export Formats

Format	Extension	Use Case	Requirements
Asterisk Dialplan	.conf	Asterisk PBX Integration	Valid context name
Flow Diagram	.svg / .png	Documentation	None
JSON Flow	.json	Backup/Transfer	None
Mermaid Diagram	.mmd	Technical Documentation	None

Exporting to Asterisk

Export Process

Prepare for Export
- Validate flow completeness
- Check all node configurations
- Verify all connections
- Run flow validation
Export Steps
- Click 'Export to Asterisk' button
- Enter context name
- Choose export options
- Generate dialplan code
Review Output
- Check generated code
- Verify context structure
- Review extension patterns
- Validate priorities

Example Asterisk Export:

[mycontext]
    exten => s,1,NoOp(Start of IVR Flow)
     same => n,Answer()
     same => n,Background(welcome-prompt)
     same => n,WaitExten()
    
    exten => 1,1,Goto(sales,s,1)
    exten => 2,1,Goto(support,s,1)
    exten => i,1,Playback(invalid)
     same => n,Goto(s,1)
    exten => t,1,Hangup()

Export Options

Option	Default	Description
Include Comments	Yes	Add descriptive comments in dialplan
Debug Mode	No	Include debug logging
Verbose Output	No	Include detailed NoOp statements
Compact Format	No	Remove extra whitespace and comments

Important: Ensure your Asterisk system has all required sound files and applications referenced in the exported dialplan.

Flow Diagram Export

Diagram Options

Option	Description	Best For
SVG Format	Scalable vector graphics	Documentation, Web
PNG Format	Bitmap image	Presentations, Print
Mermaid	Text-based diagrams	Technical docs, Git

Mermaid Diagram Export

The new Mermaid diagram export feature allows you to generate text-based diagrams that are compatible with many documentation systems:

Select "Export Flow Diagram" option
Choose "Mermaid" as the export format
Review the generated diagram code
Copy the code or save it to a .mmd file

Example Mermaid Output:

graph TD
    node1(["Start"])
    node2["Answer"]
    node3["Play Sound\nWelcome"]
    node4{"Menu\nPrompt: main-menu"}
    node5["Queue\nCustomer Service"]
    node6["Hangup"]
    
    node1 --> node2
    node2 --> node3
    node3 --> node4
    node4 -->|Option 1| node5
    node4 -->|Option 2| node6

Pro Tip: Mermaid diagrams can be embedded directly in Markdown documentation, wikis, and many project management tools.

JSON Flow Export

Export Structure

{
      "flowVersion": "1.0",
      "metadata": {
        "name": "My IVR Flow",
        "description": "Main IVR flow",
        "created": "2024-01-26T10:00:00Z",
        "modified": "2024-01-26T15:30:00Z"
      },
      "nodes": [...],
      "connections": [...],
      "settings": {...}
    }

Included Data

Node Information:
- Node types and IDs
- Node configurations
- Position information
- Custom properties
Connection Data:
- Source and target nodes
- Connection labels
- Routing information
- Connection types
Canvas State:
- Zoom level
- Pan position
- Grid settings
- View preferences

Export Validation

Pre-Export Checks

Check	Description	Error Level
Node Connectivity	Verify all nodes are connected	Error
Configuration	Check required fields	Error
Flow Logic	Validate logic paths	Warning
Resource References	Check sound files, scripts	Warning

Common Validation Errors

Missing Start Node: Flow must begin with a Start node
Disconnected Nodes: All nodes must be connected to the flow
Invalid Configuration: Required fields must be filled
Dead Ends: Flow paths must terminate properly
Invalid References: All referenced resources must exist

Deployment Guidelines

Deployment Checklist

Validate flow completely
Export to target format
Review generated code
Backup existing configuration
Deploy to test environment
Test all paths
Document changes
Deploy to production

Deployment Tip: Always test exported flows in a development environment before deploying to production.

Export Troubleshooting

Common Issues and Solutions

Issue	Cause	Solution
Export Fails	Invalid configuration	Run validation and fix errors
Missing Nodes	Disconnected components	Check node connections
Invalid Dialplan	Syntax errors	Review and fix dialplan syntax
Resource Errors	Missing files/resources	Verify all referenced resources exist

Flow Validation

Pro Tip: Enable real-time validation in the settings to catch issues as you build your flow rather than waiting until the end.

Validation Overview

Validation Process

Flow validation checks for:

Structural integrity
Node configurations
Connection validity
Resource availability
Logic consistency

Validation Levels

Level	Icon	Description	Action Required
Error	❌	Critical issues that must be fixed	Must fix before export
Warning	⚠️	Potential issues or best practice violations	Review recommended
Info	ℹ️	Suggestions for improvement	Optional changes
Success	✅	Passed validation checks	None needed

Validation Rules

Structural Rules

Rule	Description	Level	Example
Single Start Node	Flow must have exactly one Start node	❌ Error	Multiple start nodes found
Connected Nodes	All nodes must be connected to the flow	❌ Error	Isolated nodes detected
No Cycles	Flow cannot contain infinite loops	⚠️ Warning	Circular path detected
Terminal Nodes	Flow paths must end properly	❌ Error	Missing hangup node

Node Configuration Rules

Start Node

Must have unique context name
No incoming connections
At least one outgoing connection

Menu Node

Must have prompt configured
At least one option connected
Invalid/Timeout handlers recommended

Play Sound

Valid sound file reference
One incoming connection
One outgoing connection

Hangup Node

Must have incoming connection
No outgoing connections
Optional message configuration

Validation Process

1. Initial Scan

Basic structure check
Node count verification
Connection presence

2. Deep Validation

Node configurations
Connection logic
Resource references

3. Path Analysis

Flow path tracing
Dead end detection
Loop detection

4. Report Generation

Error listing
Warning summary
Improvement suggestions

Common Validation Issues

Structural Issues

Issue	Detection	Solution
Disconnected Nodes	Node has no incoming or outgoing connections	Connect node to flow or remove if unused
Missing End Points	Path doesn't terminate properly	Add Hangup or transfer node to end path
Invalid Connections	Connection between incompatible nodes	Review and correct node connections
Duplicate Start	Multiple Start nodes detected	Remove extra Start nodes

Configuration Issues

Menu Configuration

❌ Error: Menu node 'Menu1' has no prompt configured
    ❌ Error: Menu node 'Menu1' missing invalid input handler
    ⚠️ Warning: Menu node 'Menu1' timeout handler recommended

Sound File References

❌ Error: PlaySound node 'Welcome' references missing file
    ⚠️ Warning: Sound file 'menu-prompt' may not be installed
    ℹ️ Info: Consider adding alternate language prompts

Validation Tools

Built-in Validators

Real-time Validator

Immediate feedback
Visual indicators
Quick fixes

Full Flow Validator

Complete analysis
Detailed reports
Path visualization

Resource Checker

Sound file verification
Script availability
Context references

Export Validator

Pre-export checks
Format validation
Compatibility verification

Validation Best Practices

During Development

Enable real-time validation
Address errors immediately
Review warnings regularly
Test paths as you build

Before Export

Run full flow validation
Check all resource references
Verify critical paths
Document any accepted warnings

Regular Maintenance

Schedule periodic validations
Update resource references
Clean up unused nodes
Optimize flow paths

Critical Reminder: Always run a complete validation before deploying to production. Unvalidated flows may cause system issues or poor user experience.

Understanding Validation Reports

Report Sections

Flow Validation Report
    ======================
    Date: 2024-01-26 15:30:00
    Flow Name: Main IVR
    
    Critical Errors (2)
    ------------------
    ❌ Start node missing
    ❌ Disconnected node: Menu2
    
    Warnings (3)
    -----------
    ⚠️ Menu1: No timeout handler
    ⚠️ Possible infinite loop detected
    ⚠️ Sound file 'welcome.wav' not found
    
    Information (2)
    -------------
    ℹ️ Consider adding alternate language support
    ℹ️ Path optimization possible for Sales flow
    
    Statistics
    ----------
    Total Nodes: 12
    Connected Nodes: 11
    Terminal Paths: 4
    Resource References: 8

Flow Simulation

New Feature: The IVR Flow Builder now includes a powerful flow simulation tool that lets you test your IVR flows without deploying them.

Simulation Overview

What Is Flow Simulation?

Flow simulation allows you to run a virtual execution of your IVR flow to:

Validate the logical structure of your flow
Test different paths through your IVR
Identify potential issues before deployment
Generate execution reports for documentation

Running a Simulation

Simulation Process

Start Simulation
- Click the "Simulate Flow" button in the toolbar
- The system will analyze your flow and prepare for simulation
Review Results
- The simulation report will appear with several tabs
- Each tab provides different information about your flow

Simulation Results Tabs

Tab	Content	Purpose
Summary	Overview of simulation results	Quick assessment of flow health
Flow Story	Narrative description of call flow	Understand caller experience
Issues	Errors and warnings found	Identify problems to fix
Statistics	Metrics about your flow	Quantitative analysis

Flow Story

The Flow Story feature automatically generates a human-readable narrative of your IVR flow, making it easy to understand the caller's journey.

Example Flow Story:

1. The call begins at the Start node
2. The system answers the call
3. The system plays a welcome message to the caller
4. The caller is presented with a menu with 3 options
5. If the caller selects option 1, they are transferred to the sales queue
6. If the caller selects option 2, they hear the business hours information
7. If the caller selects option 3, they can leave a voicemail
8. If the caller doesn't select an option, the system repeats the menu
9. After three invalid attempts, the call is transferred to an operator

Simulation Statistics

The Statistics tab provides useful metrics about your IVR flow:

Total Nodes: Number of nodes in your flow
Connected Nodes: Nodes properly connected to the flow
Disconnected Nodes: Nodes not connected to the main flow
Terminal Paths: Number of ways a call can end
Max Path Depth: Longest path through the flow
Input Prompts: Number of places callers need to provide input

Flow Visualization

New Feature: The IVR Flow Builder now includes enhanced visualization tools to help you understand and debug your flows.

Visualization Features

Path Highlighting

After running a simulation, you can visualize the execution path:

Executed nodes are highlighted in green
Connection paths are animated to show the flow direction
Click on different paths in the report to see them highlighted on the canvas

Node Status Indicators

Nodes display status information based on validation and simulation:

Green dot: Node is properly configured and connected
Yellow dot: Node has warnings or potential issues
Red dot: Node has configuration errors or is disconnected
Blue outline: Node is currently selected

Debugging with Visualization

Flow Debugging Process

Run the flow simulation
Review the Issues tab for errors and warnings
Click on an issue to highlight the relevant node in the canvas
Fix the identified issue
Re-run the simulation to verify the fix

Interactive Debugging:

When you click on an error message like "Menu1 has no timeout handler," the system will:

Center the canvas on the problematic node
Highlight the node with a pulsing effect
Open the node's configuration panel if appropriate
Provide context-specific help for resolving the issue

Mermaid Diagram Visualization

The new Mermaid diagram visualization provides an alternative view of your IVR flow:

Click "Generate Mermaid Diagram" to create a text-based representation
The diagram shows nodes, connections, and key configuration details
Use the diagram for documentation or sharing with team members
The diagram updates in real-time as you modify your flow

Pro Tip: Mermaid diagrams can be embedded directly in Markdown documentation, wikis, and many project management tools.

Best Practices

Design

Plan your flow before building
Keep it simple and logical
Use clear naming conventions
Document complex sections
Test all paths

Important: Always test your IVR flow thoroughly before deploying to production. Ensure all paths are working as expected and error handling is in place.