# Introduction SteelEngine is an AI operations workspace for building, connecting, deploying, and governing AI agents. Start with a natural-language request in Chat or design deterministic automation on the visual canvas. Connect the tools, data, documents, and knowledge your agents need; deploy through apps and production interfaces; then monitor and govern every execution from one workspace. ## The SteelEngine Lifecycle ### Build Create agents in Chat or on the visual workflow canvas. Test every step, combine AI reasoning with deterministic logic, and add human approval where judgment matters. ### Connect Use 1,000+ tools and integrations alongside built-in databases, tables, docs, and knowledge bases so agents can act with trusted business context. ### Deploy Publish automation as REST APIs, webhooks, Hosted Chat, A2A agents, schedules, email-driven Chat tasks, MCP tools, or Apps where enabled. ### Operate Trace execution inputs, outputs, cost, duration, and errors. Manage access, credentials, models, versions, billing, and deployment through the governance layer. ![SteelEngine visual workflow canvas](https://docs.steelengine.com/static/introduction.png) ## What You Can Build **AI Assistants & Chatbots**\ Build intelligent conversational agents that integrate with your tools and data. Enable capabilities like web search, calendar management, email automation, and seamless interaction with business systems. **Business Process Automation**\ Eliminate manual tasks across your organization. Automate data entry, generate reports, respond to customer inquiries, and streamline content creation workflows. **Data Processing & Analysis**\ Transform raw data into actionable insights. Extract information from documents, perform dataset analysis, generate automated reports, and synchronize data across platforms. **API Integration Workflows**\ Orchestrate complex multi-service interactions. Create unified API endpoints, implement sophisticated business logic, and build event-driven automation systems. [Video: chat-workflow.mp4](https://d4h6f8f5tksdw.cloudfront.net/introduction/chat-workflow.mp4) ## How It Works **Visual Workflow Editor**\ Design workflows using an intuitive drag-and-drop canvas. Connect AI models, databases, APIs, and third-party services through a visual, no-code interface that makes complex automation logic easy to understand and maintain. **Modular Block System**\ Build with specialized components: processing blocks (AI agents, API calls, custom functions), logic blocks (conditional branching, loops, routers), and output blocks (responses, evaluators). Each block handles a specific task in your workflow. **Flexible Execution Triggers**\ Launch workflows through multiple channels including chat interfaces, REST APIs, webhooks, scheduled cron jobs, or external events from platforms like Slack and GitHub. **Real-time Collaboration**\ Enable your team to build together. Multiple users can edit workflows simultaneously with live updates and granular permission controls. [Video: build-workflow.mp4](https://d4h6f8f5tksdw.cloudfront.net/introduction/build-workflow.mp4) ## Integrations SteelEngine provides 1,000+ tools and integrations across 180+ connected services: * **AI Models**: OpenAI, Anthropic, Google Gemini, Groq, Cerebras, local models via Ollama or VLLM * **Communication**: Gmail, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Telegram, WhatsApp * **Productivity**: Notion, Google Workspace, Airtable * **Development**: GitHub, Jira, Linear, automated browser testing * **Search & Data**: Google Search, Perplexity, Firecrawl, Exa AI * **Databases**: PostgreSQL, MySQL, Supabase, Pinecone, Qdrant For custom integrations, leverage our [MCP (Model Context Protocol) support](/mcp) to connect any external service or tool. [Video: integrations-sidebar.mp4](https://d4h6f8f5tksdw.cloudfront.net/introduction/integrations-sidebar.mp4) ## Chat **Ask Questions & Get Guidance**\ Chat answers questions about SteelEngine, explains your workflows, and provides suggestions for improvements. Use the `@` symbol to reference workflows, blocks, documentation, knowledge, and logs for contextual assistance. **Build & Edit Workflows**\ Let Chat propose and apply changes directly to your canvas. Add blocks, configure settings, wire variables, and restructure workflows with natural language commands. **Adaptive Reasoning Levels**\ Choose a model, then choose from its supported reasoning levels: Fast, Balanced, Deep, or Max. Balanced is the default; models without a reasoning control do not show the picker. Scheduled Sub Agents offer the same model and reasoning choices as Chat. Learn more about [Chat capabilities](/chat) and how to maximize productivity with AI assistance. [Video: copilot-workflow.mp4](https://d4h6f8f5tksdw.cloudfront.net/introduction/copilot-workflow.mp4) ## Deployment Options **Cloud-Hosted**\ Launch immediately at [steelengine.com](https://steelengine.com) with fully managed infrastructure, automatic scaling, and built-in observability. Focus on building workflows while we handle the operations. **Self-Hosted (Enterprise)**\ Deploy on your own infrastructure using Docker Compose or Kubernetes with an Enterprise subscription. Maintain complete control over your data with support for local AI models through Ollama integration. Contact [sales@steelengine.com](mailto:sales@steelengine.com) for details. ## Next Steps Ready to build your first AI workflow? [Getting Started](/getting-started) Create your first workflow in 10 minutes [Workflow Blocks](/blocks) Learn about the building blocks [Tools & Integrations](/tools) Explore 1,000+ tools and integrations [Team Permissions](/permissions/roles-and-permissions) Set up workspace roles and permissions [Organizations & Workspaces](/organizations) Understand the URL structure, personal orgs, and switching scopes ## Common Questions **Is SteelEngine free to use?** Yes. The Community plan is free for one member and includes a monthly credit allowance. Paid self-serve plans — Builder, Team, and Scale — include larger credit allowances and more members, with annual billing available at a discount. Current prices are shown in the app at Settings → Subscription. Enterprise pricing is custom, and partner-assisted implementation is available separately. **Can I self-host SteelEngine?** Yes, with an Enterprise subscription. Contact sales@steelengine.com for self-hosted deployment options. **Which AI models and providers are supported?** SteelEngine supports 15+ providers including OpenAI, Anthropic, Google Gemini, Groq, Cerebras, DeepSeek, Mistral, xAI, and OpenRouter. You can also run local models through Ollama or VLLM at no API cost. Bring Your Own Key (BYOK) is supported so you can use your own API keys at base provider pricing with no markup. **Do I need coding experience to use SteelEngine?** No. SteelEngine is a no-code visual builder where you design workflows by dragging blocks onto a canvas and connecting them. For advanced use cases, the Function block lets you write custom JavaScript, but it is entirely optional. **Is there a limit on how many workflows I can create?** There is no limit on the number of workflows you can create on any plan. Usage limits apply to execution credits, rate limits, and file storage, which vary by plan tier. **What integrations are available?** SteelEngine offers 1,000+ tools and integrations across 180+ connected services, including AI models, communication tools, productivity apps, development platforms, search services, and databases. For anything not built in, use Model Context Protocol (MCP) support to connect custom services. **How does SteelEngine compare to other workflow automation tools?** SteelEngine is purpose-built for AI agent workflows rather than general task automation. It provides a visual canvas for orchestrating LLM-powered agents with built-in support for tool use, structured outputs, conditional branching, and real-time collaboration. Chat also lets you build and modify workflows using natural language.