# Copy steps, flows, notes, and layout

import { Steps } from "@astrojs/starlight/components"

Studio includes shortcuts that speed up editing: copy and paste steps (including across flows), copy or duplicate
whole flows, paste a flow from the clipboard, add **Note** steps on the canvas, and autolayout the diagram.
Screenshots on this page show those controls in context.

## When to use

- You reuse the same steps in another flow or environment without rebuilding them.
- You need a second copy of a flow (duplicate) or to paste a flow you copied elsewhere.
- You want canvas notes for context, or a one-click layout refresh while designing.

Before you begin, open the flow (or Flows list) with permission to edit flows in the environment.

## Guide

### Copy and paste steps

You can copy any step from the step menu or with the keyboard, then paste it in the same flow or another flow.

<ol>
<li>

**Open the step menu.** Select the step, then open the menu on the left side of the step card.

</li>
<li>

**Copy the step.** Choose **Copy**, or press **⌘C** (Mac) / **Ctrl+C** (Windows). You can also **Cut**, **Paste
after**, **Delete**, **Run**, or open **Settings** from the same menu.

<div class="docs-screenshot-compact">

![Step menu open on a canvas step with Copy and related actions](./assets/step-menu-open-canvas-step-copy.png)

</div>

</li>
<li>

**Paste in the target flow.** Open the destination flow (same or another environment), place the cursor where the
step should go, and paste. Copied steps can move between flows.

</li>
</ol>
### Copy, duplicate, and paste flows

On the Flows page, the flow card menu and header actions let you copy a flow, duplicate it in place, or paste a flow
from the clipboard.

<ol>
<li>

**Open Flows.** Go to **Flows** for your organization and find the flow.

</li>
<li>

**Copy or duplicate.** Open the menu on the flow card. Choose **Copy** to put the flow on the clipboard, or
**Duplicate** for a second flow in the same environment (the title gets **(duplicated)** appended).

<div class="docs-screenshot-compact">

![Flows page with a flow card menu open showing Copy and Duplicate](./assets/flows-page-flow-card-menu-open.png)

</div>

</li>
<li>

**Paste a flow.** On the Flows page, open the actions menu next to **Create flow**, then choose **Paste flow**. Set
the name and environment, then confirm. Studio creates the flow and opens it in the designer.

<div class="docs-screenshot-compact">

![Flows page header menu with Paste flow next to Create flow](./assets/flows-page-header-menu-paste-flow.png)

</div>

</li>
</ol>
For pasting a template from the public library, see
[Start a flow from a template](../../design-your-flow/start-a-flow-from-a-template/).

### Add a Note

A **Note** is a Flow step you place on the canvas to document business context, owners, or dependencies. It does not
run as part of the automation. Notes use Studio’s **rich text editor**, so you can format headings, lists, tables, and
links on the canvas. **AI··Note** (including **Document workflow** on the designer toolbar) generates the same kind of
Note you can then edit.

<ol>
<li>

**Open Add a step.** Right-click the canvas (or use **+**) where the note should appear.

</li>
<li>

**Choose Note.** Under **Flow**, select **Note**.

<div class="docs-screenshot-compact">

![Add a step menu with Note under Flow](./assets/add-step-menu-note-under-flow.png)

</div>

</li>
<li>

**Write and format the note.** Click into the Note and use the formatting toolbar (headings, bold, lists, links,
tables) so reviewers can scan the documentation. Markdown shortcuts such as `#` then Space also work.

<div class="docs-screenshot-compact">

![Canvas Note step with rich text formatting toolbar and explanatory text](./assets/canvas-note-step-explanatory-text.png)

</div>

</li>
</ol>
### Autolayout the canvas

The designer toolbar includes an autolayout control that rearranges the diagram. The tooltip describes it as
**Automagically layout the diagram**. You can also press **L**.

<ol>
<li>

**Open the designer.** Open the flow you want to tidy.

</li>
<li>

**Run autolayout.** Click the autolayout control in the upper-right toolbar, or press **L**. Use it whenever the
graph needs a clean layout.

<div class="docs-screenshot-compact">

![Designer toolbar with the autolayout control highlighted](./assets/designer-toolbar-autolayout-control-highlighted.png)

</div>

</li>
</ol>
## Example

An operator clones an onboarding flow into a staging environment. They **Copy** the production flow from the Flows
page, open staging, choose **Paste flow**, and name it for staging. Inside the designer they **Copy** a few shared
steps into a sibling flow, add a **Note** that lists owners, then press **L** to autolayout.

## Keep in mind

- Prefer **flow** and **environment** in Studio—older “playbook” or “workspace” wording may still appear in places.
- To place a flow in another environment, **Copy** it, then **Paste flow** there. Do not rely on a **Move to** card
  action.
- **AI··Note** is a separate Flow step from **Note**.

## Related

[Start a flow from a template](../../design-your-flow/start-a-flow-from-a-template/) ·
[Scripts, errors, and run control](../)