Workflow Commands

Summary

Commands are public async methods on two scoped classes rather than command records dispatched through a mediator.

Definition commands

Method	Verified responsibility
CreateAsync	Validate key/name/type data, create Draft v1, write audit/timeline and save
UpdateAsync	Load definition, update details, optionally replace editable draft steps and save
PublishAsync	Publish the current nonempty draft and save

Instance commands

Method	Verified responsibility
StartAsync	Resolve definition/version, create instance, open first applicable stage or complete
ApproveAsync	Approve Pending task, advance stage or complete
RejectAsync	Reject Pending task and terminate instance
DelegateAsync	Reassign Pending task and preserve Pending status

Shared behavior

All commands require tenant context. Actor identity defaults to a system label when email is absent. Mutations use repositories and a unit-of-work; audit and timeline entries are staged before save.

Limitations

There are no commands for archive, cancel, reopen, pause, resume, retry, clone, delete, bulk decisions or notification steps.

Requires Confirmation

Command authorization, idempotency keys and concurrency strategy require confirmation.

Source References

• microservices/src/workflow-service/Application/Commands/WorkflowDefinitionCommands.cs
• microservices/src/workflow-service/Application/Commands/WorkflowInstanceCommands.cs
• microservices/src/workflow-service/Application/Common/Abstractions.cs

Related Articles

• Technical overview
• Technical limitations
• Workflow business documentation

See Also

• Technical source map
• Architecture overview

Keywords

Workflow architecture, approval engine, Workflow Service, technical foundation.

Revision Information

• Status: Draft
• Last reviewed: 2026-07-20
• Next review: 2026-10-20