---
title: Use the YAML editor
description: Author, test, and run workflows in the Kibana YAML editor, and understand the difference between test runs and production runs.
url: https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3109/explore-analyze/workflows/authoring-techniques/use-yaml-editor
products:
- Elastic Cloud Enterprise
- Elastic Cloud Hosted
- Elastic Cloud Serverless
- Elastic Cloud on Kubernetes
- Elastic Stack
- Kibana
applies_to:
- Elastic Cloud Serverless: Preview
- Elastic Stack: Preview since 9.3
---
# Use the YAML editor
The YAML editor is the primary interface for creating and editing workflows. This page describes the editor's components and features, and explains how test runs and production runs differ.
To use workflows, you must turn on the feature and ensure your role has the appropriate privileges. Refer to [Set up Workflows](https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3109/explore-analyze/workflows/get-started/setup) for more information.You must also have the appropriate subscription. Refer to the subscription page for [Elastic Cloud](https://www.elastic.co/subscriptions/cloud) and [Elastic Stack/self-managed](https://www.elastic.co/subscriptions) for the breakdown of available features and their associated subscription tiers.
## Editor layout
The editor layout is composed of the following elements:
| Component | Description |
|---------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Editor pane** | The main area for writing and editing workflows. To learn more about the expected workflow structure, refer to [Workflows](https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3109/explore-analyze/workflows). |
| **Actions menu** | A quick-add menu for pre-formatted [triggers](https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3109/explore-analyze/workflows/triggers) and [step types](https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3109/explore-analyze/workflows/steps). |
| **Save button** | Saves the current workflow. |
| **Run button** | Manually runs the entire workflow or an individual step. - Entire workflow: Click the **Run** icon `play` (next to **Save**). - Individual step: Select the step in the editor pane, then click the **Run** icon `play`. |
| **Executions tab** | Shows [execution history](https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3109/explore-analyze/workflows/authoring-techniques/monitor-workflows) and real-time logs. |
| **Validation logs** | Shows validation successes and failures. Some common validation errors include: - Invalid YAML syntax because of incorrect indentation or formatting - Missing a required field or property (for example, `name`, `type`) - The step type is unknown or doesn't match a valid action - Invalid template syntax because of malformed template expression. |
When viewing step output in the executions panel, click the **Copy** icon next to a step name to copy its full output path to your clipboard. For example, clicking **Copy** on a step named `check_if_newer` copies `steps.check_if_newer.output.conditionResult`, which you can paste directly into your workflow YAML to reference that step's output.
## Test runs and production runs
Every workflow execution is either a test run or a production run. Understanding the difference helps you iterate safely during development without affecting real processes.
| | Test run `flask` | Production run `play` |
|-----------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Purpose** | Try out a workflow or individual step while authoring | Run an enabled workflow for real |
| **How to start** | Click **Run** `play` in the workflow editor. | Click **Run** from the workflow list, or let a configured trigger fire. |
| **Scope** | Entire workflow or a single step | Entire workflow |
| **Execution history** | Saved with a flask (`flask`) badge so you can filter for test runs. Step-level test runs are not saved in history.  | Saved without a badge. Filter the executions list by **production** to see only these runs.  |
| **Template context** | `execution.isTestRun` resolves to `true`. | `execution.isTestRun` resolves to `false`. |
You can use the `execution.isTestRun` context variable in your workflow YAML to change behavior during testing. For example, you can choose to skip sending a real notification during a test run.