> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.insight.nobly.dk/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# ContentFlow

> Understand document ingestion, mapping, workflow definitions, and processing states in Nobly ContentFlow.

ContentFlow receives documents and metadata, processes them through a configured pipeline, and can deliver the result to Nobly Insight or another integration. Use it when you need to validate, transform, map, convert, or route incoming content before or during import.

Open the **ContentFlow application** provided for your environment. It has its own workflow designer and administration screens. The **Workflow** area in the Insight client manages [Workflow Engine definitions](/workflows/introduction); it does not edit ContentFlow pipelines.

## The processing model

| Concept                  | Meaning                                                                              |
| ------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Input item               | Content and metadata supplied by an ingestion integration                            |
| Unified data model (UDM) | The item, properties, property groups, and content used by a pipeline                |
| Workflow                 | A named definition with a data type, main steps, and optional exception steps        |
| Mapper                   | Rules translating item properties, groups, and file extensions into Insight metadata |
| State                    | The progress and result of processing an item                                        |
| Trace ID                 | The identifier used to follow an item through its state and logs                     |
| Batch name               | A way to find related incoming items, including failed items to rerun                |

A successful submission is not the same as completed processing. Use [States and recovery](/contentflow/states-and-recovery) to verify the outcome.

```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart LR
  I[Incoming item] --> W[Selected ContentFlow workflow]
  W --> T[Transform and map]
  T --> D[Deliver document and metadata]
  W --> E[Exception state]
  E --> R[Investigate and correct]
  R --> P[Choose recovery action]
```

## Administration permissions

ContentFlow maintains its own permission catalogue and group grants. Do not assume an Insight-client permission automatically grants the corresponding ContentFlow capability.

| Work                                                          | Permissions to grant                                               |
| ------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Inspect workflows and their versions                          | `workflows.view`                                                   |
| Create, edit, validate, publish, restore, or delete workflows | `workflows.manage`                                                 |
| Create and run workflow test cases                            | `workflows.test`, plus `workflows.view` to browse the workflow     |
| Change per-workflow settings                                  | `workflows.settings`, plus `workflows.view` to browse the workflow |
| Inspect states and trace logs                                 | `states.view`                                                      |
| Retry failed states                                           | `states.retry`; add `states.view` for investigation in the UI      |
| Inspect or maintain mappers                                   | `mappers.view` or `mappers.manage`                                 |
| Inspect or maintain global variables                          | `global-variables.view` or `global-variables.manage`               |
| Inspect or maintain group grants                              | `iam.permissions.view` or `iam.permissions.manage`                 |
| Inspect or maintain user groups                               | `iam.user-groups.view` or `iam.user-groups.manage`                 |

A `manage` grant implies `view` in the same area. An `admin` grant, where available, includes that area's other permissions. Special capabilities such as `workflows.test`, `workflows.settings`, and `states.retry` are separate grants; a manage grant does not generally imply them.

## Configure in this order

1. Agree on the incoming item's properties, file formats, and target document type.
2. Configure and preview the [mapper](/contentflow/mapping-and-variables).
3. Build the [pipeline](/contentflow/design-and-publishing), including exception handling.
4. Run representative test cases and inspect state, logs, and the destination result.
5. Publish deliberately and monitor early processing before expanding the input volume.

## Where to read next

<Card title="Designing and publishing pipelines" icon="arrows-spin" href="/contentflow/design-and-publishing" horizontal>
  Create and validate ContentFlow workflows, test saved drafts, and control the version used for processing.
</Card>