Nested workflow support.

This commit is contained in:
Shyju Krishnankutty
2026-02-23 08:52:07 -08:00
Unverified
parent 3256baa8b6
commit adb566161f
9 changed files with 709 additions and 8 deletions
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<Project Sdk="Microsoft.NET.Sdk">
<PropertyGroup>
<TargetFrameworks>net10.0</TargetFrameworks>
<OutputType>Exe</OutputType>
<ImplicitUsings>enable</ImplicitUsings>
<Nullable>enable</Nullable>
<AssemblyName>SubWorkflows</AssemblyName>
<RootNamespace>SubWorkflows</RootNamespace>
</PropertyGroup>
<ItemGroup>
<PackageReference Include="Azure.Identity" />
<PackageReference Include="Microsoft.DurableTask.Client.AzureManaged" />
<PackageReference Include="Microsoft.DurableTask.Worker.AzureManaged" />
<PackageReference Include="Microsoft.Extensions.Hosting" />
</ItemGroup>
<!-- Local projects that should be switched to package references when using the sample outside of this MAF repo -->
<!--
<ItemGroup>
<PackageReference Include="Microsoft.Agents.AI.DurableTask" />
<PackageReference Include="Microsoft.Agents.AI.Workflows" />
</ItemGroup>
-->
<ItemGroup>
<ProjectReference Include="..\..\..\..\..\src\Microsoft.Agents.AI.DurableTask\Microsoft.Agents.AI.DurableTask.csproj" />
<ProjectReference Include="..\..\..\..\..\src\Microsoft.Agents.AI.OpenAI\Microsoft.Agents.AI.OpenAI.csproj" />
</ItemGroup>
</Project>
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// Copyright (c) Microsoft. All rights reserved.
using Microsoft.Agents.AI.Workflows;
using Microsoft.Agents.AI.Workflows.Checkpointing;
namespace SubWorkflows;
/// <summary>
/// Event emitted when the fraud check risk score is calculated.
/// </summary>
internal sealed class FraudRiskAssessedEvent(int riskScore) : WorkflowEvent($"Risk score: {riskScore}/100")
{
public int RiskScore => riskScore;
}
/// <summary>
/// Represents an order being processed through the workflow.
/// </summary>
internal sealed class OrderInfo
{
public required string OrderId { get; set; }
public decimal Amount { get; set; }
public string? PaymentTransactionId { get; set; }
public string? TrackingNumber { get; set; }
public string? Carrier { get; set; }
}
// Main workflow executors
/// <summary>
/// Entry point executor that receives the order ID and creates an OrderInfo object.
/// </summary>
internal sealed class OrderReceived() : Executor<string, OrderInfo>("OrderReceived")
{
public override ValueTask<OrderInfo> HandleAsync(string message, IWorkflowContext context, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
{
Console.WriteLine();
Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.Cyan;
Console.WriteLine($"[OrderReceived] Processing order '{message}'");
Console.ResetColor();
OrderInfo order = new()
{
OrderId = message,
Amount = 99.99m // Simulated order amount
};
return ValueTask.FromResult(order);
}
}
/// <summary>
/// Final executor that outputs the completed order summary.
/// </summary>
internal sealed class OrderCompleted() : Executor<OrderInfo, string>("OrderCompleted")
{
public override ValueTask<string> HandleAsync(OrderInfo message, IWorkflowContext context, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
{
Console.WriteLine();
Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.Green;
Console.WriteLine("┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐");
Console.WriteLine($"│ [OrderCompleted] Order '{message.OrderId}' successfully processed!");
Console.WriteLine($"│ Payment: {message.PaymentTransactionId}");
Console.WriteLine($"│ Shipping: {message.Carrier} - {message.TrackingNumber}");
Console.WriteLine("└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘");
Console.ResetColor();
return ValueTask.FromResult($"Order {message.OrderId} completed. Tracking: {message.TrackingNumber}");
}
}
// Payment sub-workflow executors
/// <summary>
/// Validates payment information for an order.
/// </summary>
internal sealed class ValidatePayment() : Executor<OrderInfo, OrderInfo>("ValidatePayment")
{
public override async ValueTask<OrderInfo> HandleAsync(OrderInfo message, IWorkflowContext context, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
{
Console.WriteLine();
Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.Yellow;
Console.WriteLine($" [Payment/ValidatePayment] Validating payment for order '{message.OrderId}'...");
Console.ResetColor();
await Task.Delay(TimeSpan.FromMilliseconds(100), cancellationToken);
Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.Yellow;
Console.WriteLine($" [Payment/ValidatePayment] Payment validated for ${message.Amount}");
Console.ResetColor();
return message;
}
}
/// <summary>
/// Charges the payment for an order.
/// </summary>
internal sealed class ChargePayment() : Executor<OrderInfo, OrderInfo>("ChargePayment")
{
public override async ValueTask<OrderInfo> HandleAsync(OrderInfo message, IWorkflowContext context, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
{
Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.Yellow;
Console.WriteLine($" [Payment/ChargePayment] Charging ${message.Amount} for order '{message.OrderId}'...");
Console.ResetColor();
await Task.Delay(TimeSpan.FromMilliseconds(100), cancellationToken);
message.PaymentTransactionId = $"TXN-{Guid.NewGuid().ToString("N")[..8].ToUpperInvariant()}";
Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.Yellow;
Console.WriteLine($" [Payment/ChargePayment] ✓ Payment processed: {message.PaymentTransactionId}");
Console.ResetColor();
return message;
}
}
// FraudCheck sub-sub-workflow executors (nested inside Payment)
/// <summary>
/// Analyzes transaction patterns for potential fraud.
/// </summary>
internal sealed class AnalyzePatterns() : Executor<OrderInfo, OrderInfo>("AnalyzePatterns")
{
public override async ValueTask<OrderInfo> HandleAsync(OrderInfo message, IWorkflowContext context, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
{
Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.DarkYellow;
Console.WriteLine($" [Payment/FraudCheck/AnalyzePatterns] Analyzing patterns for order '{message.OrderId}'...");
Console.ResetColor();
await Task.Delay(TimeSpan.FromMilliseconds(100), cancellationToken);
// Store analysis results in shared state for the next executor in this sub-workflow
int patternsFound = new Random().Next(0, 5);
await context.QueueStateUpdateAsync("patternsFound", patternsFound, cancellationToken: cancellationToken);
Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.DarkYellow;
Console.WriteLine($" [Payment/FraudCheck/AnalyzePatterns] ✓ Pattern analysis complete ({patternsFound} suspicious patterns)");
Console.ResetColor();
return message;
}
}
/// <summary>
/// Calculates a risk score for the transaction.
/// </summary>
internal sealed class CalculateRiskScore() : Executor<OrderInfo, OrderInfo>("CalculateRiskScore")
{
public override async ValueTask<OrderInfo> HandleAsync(OrderInfo message, IWorkflowContext context, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
{
Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.DarkYellow;
Console.WriteLine($" [Payment/FraudCheck/CalculateRiskScore] Calculating risk score for order '{message.OrderId}'...");
Console.ResetColor();
await Task.Delay(TimeSpan.FromMilliseconds(100), cancellationToken);
// Read the pattern count from shared state (written by AnalyzePatterns)
int patternsFound = await context.ReadStateAsync<int>("patternsFound", cancellationToken: cancellationToken);
int riskScore = Math.Min(patternsFound * 20 + new Random().Next(1, 20), 100);
// Emit a workflow event from within a nested sub-workflow
await context.AddEventAsync(new FraudRiskAssessedEvent(riskScore), cancellationToken);
Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.DarkYellow;
Console.WriteLine($" [Payment/FraudCheck/CalculateRiskScore] ✓ Risk score: {riskScore}/100 (based on {patternsFound} patterns)");
Console.ResetColor();
return message;
}
}
// Shipping sub-workflow executors
/// <summary>
/// Selects a shipping carrier for an order.
/// </summary>
/// <remarks>
/// This executor uses <see cref="Executor{TInput}"/> (void return) combined with
/// <see cref="IWorkflowContext.SendMessageAsync"/> to forward the order to the next
/// connected executor (CreateShipment). This demonstrates explicit typed message passing
/// as an alternative to returning a value from the handler.
/// </remarks>
internal sealed class SelectCarrier() : Executor<OrderInfo>("SelectCarrier")
{
public override async ValueTask HandleAsync(OrderInfo message, IWorkflowContext context, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
{
Console.WriteLine();
Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.Blue;
Console.WriteLine($" [Shipping/SelectCarrier] Selecting carrier for order '{message.OrderId}'...");
Console.ResetColor();
await Task.Delay(TimeSpan.FromMilliseconds(100), cancellationToken);
message.Carrier = message.Amount > 50 ? "Express" : "Standard";
Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.Blue;
Console.WriteLine($" [Shipping/SelectCarrier] ✓ Selected carrier: {message.Carrier}");
Console.ResetColor();
// Use SendMessageAsync to forward the updated order to connected executors.
// With a void-return executor, this is the mechanism for passing data downstream.
await context.SendMessageAsync(message, cancellationToken: cancellationToken);
}
}
/// <summary>
/// Creates shipment and generates tracking number.
/// </summary>
internal sealed class CreateShipment() : Executor<OrderInfo, OrderInfo>("CreateShipment")
{
public override async ValueTask<OrderInfo> HandleAsync(OrderInfo message, IWorkflowContext context, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
{
Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.Blue;
Console.WriteLine($" [Shipping/CreateShipment] Creating shipment for order '{message.OrderId}'...");
Console.ResetColor();
await Task.Delay(TimeSpan.FromMilliseconds(100), cancellationToken);
message.TrackingNumber = $"TRACK-{Guid.NewGuid().ToString("N")[..10].ToUpperInvariant()}";
Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.Blue;
Console.WriteLine($" [Shipping/CreateShipment] ✓ Shipment created: {message.TrackingNumber}");
Console.ResetColor();
return message;
}
}
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// Copyright (c) Microsoft. All rights reserved.
// This sample demonstrates nested sub-workflows. A sub-workflow can act as an executor
// within another workflow, including multi-level nesting (sub-workflow within sub-workflow).
using Microsoft.Agents.AI.DurableTask;
using Microsoft.Agents.AI.DurableTask.Workflows;
using Microsoft.Agents.AI.Workflows;
using Microsoft.DurableTask.Client.AzureManaged;
using Microsoft.DurableTask.Worker.AzureManaged;
using Microsoft.Extensions.DependencyInjection;
using Microsoft.Extensions.Hosting;
using Microsoft.Extensions.Logging;
using SubWorkflows;
// Get DTS connection string from environment variable
string dtsConnectionString = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("DURABLE_TASK_SCHEDULER_CONNECTION_STRING")
?? "Endpoint=http://localhost:8080;TaskHub=default;Authentication=None";
// Build the FraudCheck sub-workflow (this will be nested inside the Payment sub-workflow)
AnalyzePatterns analyzePatterns = new();
CalculateRiskScore calculateRiskScore = new();
Workflow fraudCheckWorkflow = new WorkflowBuilder(analyzePatterns)
.WithName("SubFraudCheck")
.WithDescription("Analyzes transaction patterns and calculates risk score")
.AddEdge(analyzePatterns, calculateRiskScore)
.Build();
// Build the Payment sub-workflow: ValidatePayment -> FraudCheck (sub-workflow) -> ChargePayment
ValidatePayment validatePayment = new();
ExecutorBinding fraudCheckExecutor = fraudCheckWorkflow.BindAsExecutor("FraudCheck");
ChargePayment chargePayment = new();
Workflow paymentWorkflow = new WorkflowBuilder(validatePayment)
.WithName("SubPaymentProcessing")
.WithDescription("Validates and processes payment for an order")
.AddEdge(validatePayment, fraudCheckExecutor)
.AddEdge(fraudCheckExecutor, chargePayment)
.Build();
// Build the Shipping sub-workflow: SelectCarrier -> CreateShipment
SelectCarrier selectCarrier = new();
CreateShipment createShipment = new();
Workflow shippingWorkflow = new WorkflowBuilder(selectCarrier)
.WithName("SubShippingArrangement")
.WithDescription("Selects carrier and creates shipment")
.AddEdge(selectCarrier, createShipment)
.Build();
// Build the main workflow using sub-workflows as executors
// OrderReceived -> Payment (sub-workflow) -> Shipping (sub-workflow) -> OrderCompleted
OrderReceived orderReceived = new();
OrderCompleted orderCompleted = new();
ExecutorBinding paymentExecutor = paymentWorkflow.BindAsExecutor("Payment");
ExecutorBinding shippingExecutor = shippingWorkflow.BindAsExecutor("Shipping");
Workflow orderProcessingWorkflow = new WorkflowBuilder(orderReceived)
.WithName("OrderProcessing")
.WithDescription("Processes an order through payment and shipping")
.AddEdge(orderReceived, paymentExecutor)
.AddEdge(paymentExecutor, shippingExecutor)
.AddEdge(shippingExecutor, orderCompleted)
.Build();
// Configure and start the host
// Register only the main workflow - sub-workflows are discovered automatically!
IHost host = Host.CreateDefaultBuilder(args)
.ConfigureLogging(logging => logging.SetMinimumLevel(LogLevel.Warning))
.ConfigureServices(services =>
{
services.ConfigureDurableWorkflows(
workflowOptions => workflowOptions.AddWorkflow(orderProcessingWorkflow),
workerBuilder: builder => builder.UseDurableTaskScheduler(dtsConnectionString),
clientBuilder: builder => builder.UseDurableTaskScheduler(dtsConnectionString));
})
.Build();
await host.StartAsync();
IWorkflowClient workflowClient = host.Services.GetRequiredService<IWorkflowClient>();
Console.WriteLine("Durable Sub-Workflows Sample");
Console.WriteLine("Workflow: OrderReceived -> Payment(sub) -> Shipping(sub) -> OrderCompleted");
Console.WriteLine(" Payment contains nested FraudCheck sub-workflow (Level 2 nesting)");
Console.WriteLine();
Console.WriteLine("Enter an order ID (or 'exit'):");
while (true)
{
Console.Write("> ");
string? input = Console.ReadLine();
if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(input) || input.Equals("exit", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
{
break;
}
try
{
await StartNewWorkflowAsync(input, orderProcessingWorkflow, workflowClient);
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
Console.WriteLine($"Error: {ex.Message}");
}
Console.WriteLine();
}
await host.StopAsync();
// Start a new workflow using streaming to observe events (including from sub-workflows)
static async Task StartNewWorkflowAsync(string orderId, Workflow workflow, IWorkflowClient client)
{
Console.WriteLine($"\nStarting order processing for '{orderId}'...");
IStreamingWorkflowRun run = await client.StreamAsync(workflow, orderId);
Console.WriteLine($"Run ID: {run.RunId}");
Console.WriteLine();
await foreach (WorkflowEvent evt in run.WatchStreamAsync())
{
switch (evt)
{
// Custom event emitted from the FraudCheck sub-sub-workflow
case FraudRiskAssessedEvent e:
Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.DarkYellow;
Console.WriteLine($" [Event from sub-workflow] {e.GetType().Name}: Risk score {e.RiskScore}/100");
Console.ResetColor();
break;
case DurableWorkflowCompletedEvent e:
Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.Green;
Console.WriteLine($"✓ Order completed: {e.Result}");
Console.ResetColor();
break;
case DurableWorkflowFailedEvent e:
Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.Red;
Console.WriteLine($"✗ Failed: {e.ErrorMessage}");
Console.ResetColor();
break;
}
}
}
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# Sub-Workflows Sample (Nested Workflows)
This sample demonstrates how to compose complex workflows from simpler, reusable sub-workflows using the Durable Task Framework. Sub-workflows run as separate orchestration instances, providing modular design, independent checkpointing, and hierarchical visualization in the DTS dashboard.
## Key Concepts Demonstrated
- **Sub-workflows**: Using `Workflow.BindAsExecutor()` to embed a workflow as an executor in another workflow
- **Multi-level nesting**: Sub-workflows within sub-workflows (Level 2 nesting)
- **Automatic discovery**: Registering only the main workflow; sub-workflows are discovered automatically
- **Failure isolation**: Each sub-workflow runs as a separate orchestration instance
- **Hierarchical visualization**: Parent-child orchestration hierarchy visible in the DTS dashboard
- **Event propagation**: Custom workflow events (`FraudRiskAssessedEvent`) bubble up from nested sub-workflows to the streaming client
- **Message passing**: Using `Executor<TInput>` (void return) with `SendMessageAsync` to forward typed messages to connected executors (`SelectCarrier`)
- **Shared state within sub-workflows**: Using `QueueStateUpdateAsync`/`ReadStateAsync` to share data between executors within a sub-workflow (`AnalyzePatterns``CalculateRiskScore`)
## Overview
The sample implements an order processing workflow composed of two sub-workflows, one of which contains its own nested sub-workflow:
```
OrderProcessing (main workflow)
├── OrderReceived
├── Payment (sub-workflow)
│ ├── ValidatePayment
│ ├── FraudCheck (sub-sub-workflow) ← Level 2 nesting!
│ │ ├── AnalyzePatterns
│ │ └── CalculateRiskScore
│ └── ChargePayment
├── Shipping (sub-workflow)
│ ├── SelectCarrier ← Uses SendMessageAsync (void-return executor)
│ └── CreateShipment
└── OrderCompleted
```
| Executor | Sub-Workflow | Description |
|----------|-------------|-------------|
| OrderReceived | Main | Receives order ID and creates order info |
| ValidatePayment | Payment | Validates payment information |
| AnalyzePatterns | FraudCheck (nested in Payment) | Analyzes transaction patterns, stores results in shared state |
| CalculateRiskScore | FraudCheck (nested in Payment) | Reads shared state, calculates risk score, emits `FraudRiskAssessedEvent` |
| ChargePayment | Payment | Charges payment amount |
| SelectCarrier | Shipping | Selects carrier using `SendMessageAsync` (void-return executor) |
| CreateShipment | Shipping | Creates shipment with tracking |
| OrderCompleted | Main | Outputs completed order summary |
## How Sub-Workflows Work
1. **Build** each sub-workflow as a standalone `Workflow` using `WorkflowBuilder`
2. **Bind** a workflow as an executor using `workflow.BindAsExecutor("name")`
3. **Add** the bound executor as a node in the parent workflow's graph
4. **Register** only the top-level workflow — sub-workflows are discovered and registered automatically
```csharp
// Build a sub-workflow
Workflow fraudCheckWorkflow = new WorkflowBuilder(analyzePatterns)
.WithName("SubFraudCheck")
.AddEdge(analyzePatterns, calculateRiskScore)
.Build();
// Nest it inside another sub-workflow using BindAsExecutor
ExecutorBinding fraudCheckExecutor = fraudCheckWorkflow.BindAsExecutor("FraudCheck");
Workflow paymentWorkflow = new WorkflowBuilder(validatePayment)
.WithName("SubPaymentProcessing")
.AddEdge(validatePayment, fraudCheckExecutor)
.AddEdge(fraudCheckExecutor, chargePayment)
.Build();
// Use the Payment sub-workflow in the main workflow
ExecutorBinding paymentExecutor = paymentWorkflow.BindAsExecutor("Payment");
Workflow mainWorkflow = new WorkflowBuilder(orderReceived)
.AddEdge(orderReceived, paymentExecutor)
.AddEdge(paymentExecutor, orderCompleted)
.Build();
```
## Environment Setup
See the [README.md](../README.md) file in the parent directory for information on configuring the environment, including how to install and run the Durable Task Scheduler.
## Running the Sample
```bash
cd dotnet/samples/Durable/Workflow/ConsoleApps/07_SubWorkflows
dotnet run --framework net10.0
```
### Sample Output
```text
Durable Sub-Workflows Sample
Workflow: OrderReceived -> Payment(sub) -> Shipping(sub) -> OrderCompleted
Payment contains nested FraudCheck sub-workflow (Level 2 nesting)
Enter an order ID (or 'exit'):
> ORD-001
Starting order processing for 'ORD-001'...
Run ID: abc123...
[OrderReceived] Processing order 'ORD-001'
[Payment/ValidatePayment] Validating payment for order 'ORD-001'...
[Payment/ValidatePayment] Payment validated for $99.99
[Payment/FraudCheck/AnalyzePatterns] Analyzing patterns for order 'ORD-001'...
[Payment/FraudCheck/AnalyzePatterns] ✓ Pattern analysis complete (2 suspicious patterns)
[Payment/FraudCheck/CalculateRiskScore] Calculating risk score for order 'ORD-001'...
[Payment/FraudCheck/CalculateRiskScore] ✓ Risk score: 53/100 (based on 2 patterns)
[Event from sub-workflow] FraudRiskAssessedEvent: Risk score 53/100
[Payment/ChargePayment] Charging $99.99 for order 'ORD-001'...
[Payment/ChargePayment] ✓ Payment processed: TXN-A1B2C3D4
[Shipping/SelectCarrier] Selecting carrier for order 'ORD-001'...
[Shipping/SelectCarrier] ✓ Selected carrier: Express
[Shipping/CreateShipment] Creating shipment for order 'ORD-001'...
[Shipping/CreateShipment] ✓ Shipment created: TRACK-I9J0K1L2M3
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ [OrderCompleted] Order 'ORD-001' successfully processed!
│ Payment: TXN-A1B2C3D4
│ Shipping: Express - TRACK-I9J0K1L2M3
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
✓ Order completed: Order ORD-001 completed. Tracking: TRACK-I9J0K1L2M3
> exit
```