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ActionFlow is a sophisticated browser automation platform designed to streamline repetitive web tasks through intelligent workflow recording and replay capabilities. The platform empowers users to capture complex browser interactions, transform them into reusable workflows, and execute them automatically with dynamic data substitution.
KEY FEATURES
- Intelligent Recording System - Automatically captures clicks, inputs, scrolls, and navigation events with precise element selectors
- Dynamic Variable System - Mark input fields as variables for flexible data substitution during replay
- MFA Checkpoint Support - Pause and resume functionality for multi-factor authentication and login pages
- Workflow Scheduling - Schedule workflows to run automatically on specific days and times with timezone support
- Chrome Extension Integration - Native Chrome extension (Manifest V3) for seamless recording and replay automation directly within the browser, supporting real-time workflow execution
- Automated Replay System - Execute recorded workflows automatically with variable substitution, supporting both Chrome extension-based replay and headless browser automation via Playwright
- Comprehensive Dashboard - Modern web interface for managing recordings, workflows, and monitoring execution history
- Email Notifications - Automated email alerts for workflow failures and execution status
- Replay History & Screenshots - Track all replay executions with detailed logs and visual screenshots for debugging and verification
The platform consists of three integrated components: a React-based web dashboard for workflow management, a Django REST API backend for data persistence and automation logic, and a Chrome extension for browser-level interaction. This architecture enables users to record workflows through the extension, manage them via the web dashboard, and execute them either through the extension or headless browser automation.
CHROME EXTENSION CAPABILITIES
The Chrome extension serves as the primary interface for recording and replaying browser workflows. Built with Manifest V3, it provides seamless integration with Chrome's browser APIs. Users can start recording sessions directly from the extension popup, and all browser interactions (clicks, form inputs, navigation, scrolling) are automatically captured with multiple selector strategies for reliability. During replay, the extension executes workflows step-by-step, handles variable substitution, and can pause at MFA checkpoints for manual intervention before resuming automation.
REPLAY AUTOMATION FEATURES
The replay automation system supports two execution modes: Chrome Extension Replay for interactive execution within the browser, and Headless Browser Automation using Playwright for unattended background execution. Both modes support dynamic variable substitution, error handling with retry mechanisms, and comprehensive logging. The system captures screenshots at key action points, tracks execution status in real-time, and provides detailed replay history with success/failure metrics for each action executed.
TECHNICAL ARCHITECTURE
ActionFlow leverages a modern tech stack with React and Tailwind CSS for the frontend, Django REST Framework for the API layer, and Playwright for headless browser automation. The system uses JWT authentication for secure access and supports both SQLite for development and PostgreSQL for production deployments. The Chrome extension utilizes Manifest V3 for modern browser compatibility and Chrome Storage API for state management.
Users can create complex multi-step workflows by combining multiple recordings, configure scheduling with timezone awareness, and monitor execution through detailed activity logs. The platform's variable system allows for parameterized workflows that can be reused with different data sets, making it ideal for testing, data entry automation, and repetitive task management.
THE REQUIREMENT
The client needed a comprehensive browser automation solution that could eliminate manual repetitive tasks while maintaining flexibility for dynamic data and handling complex authentication scenarios. The platform had to support both interactive and automated execution modes, with robust error handling and monitoring capabilities.
PRIMARY REQUIREMENTS
- Workflow Recording - Capture all browser interactions including clicks, form inputs, navigation, and scrolling with accurate element identification
- Variable Management - Allow users to mark specific input fields as variables that can be substituted with different values during replay
- MFA & Authentication Handling - Support pause-and-resume functionality when encountering login pages or multi-factor authentication checkpoints
- Workflow Scheduling - Enable users to schedule workflows to run automatically on specific days and times with proper timezone handling
- Multi-Platform Access - Provide both web dashboard and Chrome extension interfaces for recording and replaying workflows
- Execution Monitoring - Track all workflow executions with detailed logs, screenshots, and status reporting
- Error Notification - Send email alerts when workflows fail during execution
- User Management - Secure authentication system with JWT tokens and user profile management
SPECIFIC TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Chrome extension must use Manifest V3 for modern browser compatibility with service worker architecture
- Extension must support real-time recording of browser events (clicks, inputs, navigation) with accurate element identification
- Replay automation must execute workflows with precise timing, variable substitution, and error recovery mechanisms
- Backend API must support RESTful endpoints with proper authentication and authorization
- Element selectors must use multiple fallback strategies for reliability across different websites
- Workflow execution must support both Chrome extension-based replay and headless browser automation via Playwright
- Replay system must capture screenshots, track execution status, and maintain detailed action logs
- Database schema must efficiently store recordings, actions, variables, replay history, and workflow schedules
- Frontend must provide real-time updates for workflow status and execution progress
- Scheduling system must handle timezone conversions and calculate next run times accurately
- Email service must integrate with Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) for reliable notification delivery
USER EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
The platform needed to be intuitive for both technical and non-technical users. The recording process should be seamless with minimal user intervention, while the dashboard should provide clear visual feedback on workflow status, execution history, and any errors encountered. The system should handle edge cases gracefully, such as missing elements, page load delays, and authentication challenges.
CORE FEATURES
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Browser workflow recording with automatic event capture
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Dynamic variable system for parameterized workflows
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MFA checkpoint support with pause-and-resume functionality
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Workflow scheduling with timezone-aware execution
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Chrome extension for seamless browser integration
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Web dashboard for workflow management and monitoring
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Replay history tracking with screenshots and logs
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Email notifications for workflow failures
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JWT-based authentication and user management
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Headless browser automation support via Playwright
