1. Create a project
Open the Windows app and create a named automation. Nothing starts automatically. Confirm that the status shows F8 emergency stop is available.
2. Select the target window
Open the included controlled test target, refresh the window list, and select it. Keep it visible; move the editor beside it when using live preview.
3. Save a visual reference
Create a target such as “Ready button.” Capture and crop a small distinctive area. The original screenshot is retained so you can adjust the crop later. Define a separate click area if the recognition crop and clickable area differ.
4. Test recognition
Use Test reference, then Test detection. Confirm the winning reference and its bounds. Use a narrow search region if the whole window is slow or visually repetitive. Matching scores measure pixel similarity.
5. Connect a small workflow
Add Find Target → Click Target → Check Target Exists → Stop. Configure each target and every required failure/unknown connection. The final check must look for positive evidence that the intended action completed.
6. Validate, then run
Validate the structure. Start gives you a three-second countdown to focus the target. Observe the first run. Use F8 if anything unexpected happens. Enable automatic foreground recovery only after understanding its bounds.
7. Save and back up
Save your changes, then Export ZIP for a portable archive of references and configuration. A workflow should be revalidated whenever window size, DPI, application layout, or references change.
Troubleshooting
- UNKNOWN: evidence is ambiguous or has not persisted long enough. Add reliable references and inspect your state group.
- Stale detection: narrow search regions and simplify the observation workload.
- Paused after interruption: restore the expected window and review the event log. Uncertain actions are not automatically replayed.
- F8 unavailable: close the application using that shortcut, then restart Visual Automation.