The builder has two view modes: **Canvas** (drag-and-drop) and **List** (ordered list).
### Available Steps
| Step type | What it does | |---|---| | **Send** | Sends an email template to the contact. | | **Wait** | Pauses the contact for a set duration before proceeding. | | **Branch** | Routes contacts down different paths based on conditions. | | **Tag** | Adds or removes a tag on the contact's profile. | | **Set field** | Updates a custom field on the contact's profile. | | **Notify** | Sends an internal notification (e.g., to an operator). | | **Create task** | Creates a task for follow-up tracking. | | **Enroll in journey** | Enrolls the contact in a different journey. | | **Exit** | Ends the contact's run in this journey. |
### Step Configuration Notes
- **Send:** Choose an Email Template from the dropdown. - **Wait:** Set the Wait Duration (hours). Fractional values (e.g., `0.5`) are supported. > **Critical pattern:** Always place a **Wait** step between a **Send** and a **Branch** that checks for "has not replied" or "has not clicked." If you skip the wait, the decision fires before the contact has had time to act. - **Branch:** Evaluates conditions (Email activity, Contact details, Advanced rules). The **"Otherwise"** edge is taken if no conditions match. - **Exit:** Ends the run. Best practice is to end every path with an Exit step.
### How Human Replies End a Journey Run
When a contact sends a real email reply to a journey message, NextStep detects it and **immediately ends that contact's active run** — regardless of where they are.
This prevents automated follow-ups from landing in the middle of a live conversation. - A positive "Has replied" edge on a Branch will normally not be reached, because the run ends before the Branch is evaluated. - Design your journey so a **"Has not replied"** path handles contacts who did not engage, and use a Wait step before the branch.
### Simulation
Simulation lets you walk through a journey safely, with nothing sent or recorded. 1. Save the graph. 2. Click **Simulate** in the Builder toolbar. 3. Pick a contact and click **Run Simulation**.