Node: Set Variable

The Set Variable node stores one or more values in the workflow's context so later nodes can reuse them with {{$name}}. It's how a workflow keeps "memory" during a run — counting retries, saving a previous node's result, or building a message before sending it.

When to use it

• Save a calculated value (e.g. a discount) to reuse across several nodes.
• Keep a retry counter alongside an If node to break out of a loop.
• Build dynamic messages by combining variables from different steps.

Configuration

Each row under "Assignments" has three fields:

• Name: the variable's name (without the $ sign — the system adds it automatically).
• Value: the value to store. It accepts variables from other nodes, e.g. {{$contact.name}}.
• Operation:
  • Set (default): overwrites the current value.
  • Append: concatenates the new value onto the existing one (as text).
  • Increment: adds the given value to the current number. If the value field is left empty, it adds 1 — perfect for retry counters.

You can add several rows in the same node to set multiple variables at once.

Example

A workflow retries an AI agent up to 3 times. On each pass, add a Set Variable node named attempts, operation Increment, empty value. A later If node breaks the loop once {{$attempts}} reaches 3.

Tips

• Variables set here survive even after a Delay node or a workflow pause/resume.
• Use short, descriptive names: attempts, discount, detected_language.

Troubleshooting

If a later node can't see the variable, check the name is spelled exactly the same (no stray spaces) and that the Set Variable node actually ran earlier on the same path.