# Getting started with Chat Flow

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Follow the steps below to get up and running with Chat Flow quickly. Find more details and best practices in the [Chat Flow User Guide](https://guides.clickatell.com/flow).

1. [Launch ](https://guides.clickatell.com/flow/configuration/access-chat-flow#launch-chat-flow)Chat Flow via the Clickatell Portal.
2. Add an [API integration](https://guides.clickatell.com/flow/configuration/api-integration) *(optional)*.
3. Add media to the [Asset Library](https://guides.clickatell.com/flow/configuration/manage-your-workflow-assets) *(optional)*.
4. [Create ](https://guides.clickatell.com/flow/workflow-management/create-new-flow/add-a-workflow)a new standard workflow.
5. [Build out ](https://guides.clickatell.com/flow/workflow-management/create-new-flow/add-a-workflow)your workflow by dragging and dropping [nodes ](https://guides.clickatell.com/flow/workflow-management/create-new-flow#nodes-the-building-blocks-of-your-workflow)from the panel on the right onto the dotted placeholder node.
   * Alternatively, click the **+** in the placeholder node to view a node menu.
   * Configure/edit your nodes on the right-hand panel and save changes to each node you edit.
6. Save the workflow.
7. Navigate to the Configuration section and [add a new route](https://guides.clickatell.com/flow/configuration/to-manage-a-route) on the desired channel *(Sandbox environment).*
8. Add the [keyword(s)](https://guides.clickatell.com/flow/configuration/using-keywords) that will trigger this workflow.
9. [Preview ](https://guides.clickatell.com/flow/workflow-management/using-the-previewer)your workflow in the Sandbox environment and use the [Logs ](https://guides.clickatell.com/flow/workflow-management/using-the-previewer/preview-logs)to troubleshoot any issues.
   * Alternatively, conduct testing on your handset.
10. Submit for [approval ](https://guides.clickatell.com/flow/workflow-management/approving-deploying-workflows/submit-a-workflow-for-approval)and [deploy ](https://guides.clickatell.com/flow/workflow-management/approving-deploying-workflows/deploy-a-workflow-to-production)to Production.
11. Switch to the Production environment (top right navigation bar) and add your [route ](https://guides.clickatell.com/flow/configuration/to-manage-a-route)and [keyword ](https://guides.clickatell.com/flow/configuration/using-keywords)for Production.


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