cdb/docs/Flow.md

# Flow
A flow is used to represent a workflow or manufacturing process.

## Flow Info
You define a flow within a JSON file stored in `./flows`.

A flow consists of:
- `name` - The name of the flow.
- `depends` - A list of item variants that this flow depends on.
- `next` - Optional continuation of the flow
- `produces` - Optional list of item variants produced by the flow.

Example:
```json
{
    "name": "Flow 1",
    "depends": ["item::variant"],
    "next": "flow2",
    "produces": ["item::variant"]
}
```

## Flow Dependencies
A flow can depend on items. These can be resource requirements for the flow.
For example, a flow for growing plants can depend on a Seed item, which the flow can consume when started.

## Next Flows
A flow can have a next flow. This is used to chain complex workflows together into a pipeline.
Often times many steps are needed for manufacturing. Each step can be a seperate flow, but then chained together with a next flow.
This way you can split up different parts and still have a continues workflow.

## Producing Items
A flow can produce items. These are used to represent the output of the flow.
With items from a flow you can trace back to their original source like a supply chain.