Parallel connector

A parallel connector is the link between two steps that lets both steps show up at the same time on mobile. Staff can complete them in any order, which is the right pick whenever the order really does not matter.

What a parallel connector is for

When you wire two steps together with a parallel connector, both steps appear together in the workflow run on the mobile app. Staff can tap whichever one they want first. There is no gating, no waiting, no hidden step.

The tooltip on the parallel button reads: Worker sees both steps at once — any order.

This is the default behaviour of the canvas. Most templates will use parallel connectors for most of their steps, since most steps do not depend on the order they are done in.

Good fits include:

• Side-by-side checks that can be done in any order, like wiping down the counter and restocking napkins
• A set of photos where it does not matter which one is taken first
• A group of questions where staff can answer them as they go
• Anything where forcing an order would just slow people down

How to pick a parallel connector

You pick the connector type when you add a step below an existing step.

1. Click the + button below the step you want to connect from
2. The connector picker opens with three options: Parallel, Sequential, and Decision
3. Click Parallel (the first option, shown with a down-arrow icon)
4. A second picker opens showing the element types you can add
5. Pick the element type for the new step

The new step is added below, and the line between the two steps shows no extra indicator — a plain connector means parallel.

How to tell a parallel connector on the canvas

A parallel connector is the visual default. The line between two steps is just a line, with no padlock and no Yes / No badge. If you see a clean edge, the connector is parallel.

Sequential connectors show a padlock at the midpoint. Decision connectors put a Poppi decision node between the two steps with Yes and No branches. Anything else is parallel.

Plan requirements

Parallel connectors are available on every plan, including Basic. There is no upgrade needed.

Tips

• Default to parallel whenever you can. Forcing an order only helps if the order genuinely matters
• If you find yourself reaching for sequential a lot, consider whether the steps could be grouped instead, with a single group acting as the "must finish this section" boundary
• A parallel connector is reversible at any time — click the line and you can delete it without losing the steps on either side
• Two steps connected in parallel still report independently in the run history. You will see which one was completed first and when