# Flows overview (/flows)



Flows are how you control an assistant's behavior. A flow is a rule that says
"when a message looks like this, do these things." Flows are ordered, and the
first one that matches a message wins. This makes an assistant predictable: you
can look at the list and know how it will handle each kind of question.

Open an assistant and select **Flows** to see the list.

## How routing works [#how-routing-works]

For each incoming message, the assistant reads down the flow list and picks the
first flow whose description matches the message. It then runs that flow's actions
in order. Because matching is based on the meaning of the message, you describe
each flow in plain language rather than writing keywords.

## The Default behavior [#the-default-behavior]

At the very bottom of the list is the **Default behavior**. It is a built in rule
that always sits last and handles any message that no other flow matched. The
Default behavior answers from your knowledge, which is why an assistant works as
soon as it has knowledge, even with no custom flows.

You cannot remove the Default behavior, but you can rely on it as your safety net
while you add more specific flows above it.

## Fixed replies versus generated answers [#fixed-replies-versus-generated-answers]

Flows let you mix two kinds of responses:

* **Fixed replies** are shown exactly as you wrote them. Use these when the wording
  must be exact, such as a policy statement or a legal notice.
* **Generated answers** are written by the assistant from your knowledge. Use these
  when you want a helpful, natural answer that adapts to the question.

This mix gives you control where you need it and flexibility everywhere else.

## Reading the flow list [#reading-the-flow-list]

Each flow in the list shows its name, a short description of what it matches, and
the actions it will run. You can reorder flows to change priority, and you can turn
a flow on or off without deleting it. A flow that is turned off is skipped during
routing.

Continue with [Building a flow](/flows/building-a-flow) to create one, and
[Flow actions](/flows/actions) for the full list of things a flow can do.