0.0.22

🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.ai/code)

Co-Authored-By: Claude <noreply@anthropic.com>

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+# Changelog
+
+All notable changes to the PayloadCMS Automation Plugin will be documented in this file.
+
+The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.0.0/),
+and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.html).
+
+## [0.0.16] - 2025-09-01
+
+### Fixed
+- **Critical Bug**: Removed problematic `hooksInitialized` flag that prevented proper hook registration in development environments
+- **Silent Failures**: Added comprehensive error logging with "AUTOMATION PLUGIN:" prefix for easier debugging
+- **Hook Execution**: Added try/catch blocks in hook execution to prevent silent failures and ensure workflow execution continues
+- **Development Mode**: Fixed issue where workflows would not execute even when properly configured due to hook registration being skipped
+
+### Changed
+- Enhanced logging throughout the hook execution pipeline for better debugging visibility
+- Improved error handling to prevent workflow execution failures from breaking other hooks
+
+### Migration Notes
+- No breaking changes - this is a critical bug fix release
+- Existing workflows should now execute properly after updating to this version
+- Enhanced logging will provide better visibility into workflow execution
+
+## [0.0.15] - 2025-08-XX
+
+### Changed
+- Updated workflow condition evaluation to use JSONPath expressions
+- Changed step configuration from `type`/`inputs` to `step`/`input`
+- Updated workflow collection schema for improved flexibility
+
+## [0.0.14] - 2025-08-XX
+
+### Added
+- Initial workflow automation functionality
+- Collection trigger support
+- Step execution engine
+- Basic workflow management

dev/app/test-trigger/route.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,122 @@
+import { NextResponse } from 'next/server'
+import { getPayload } from 'payload'
+import config from '../../payload.config'
+
+export async function GET() {
+  console.log('Starting workflow trigger test...')
+  
+  // Get payload instance
+  const payload = await getPayload({ config })
+  
+  try {
+    // Create a test user
+    const user = await payload.create({
+      collection: 'users',
+      data: {
+        email: `test-${Date.now()}@example.com`,
+        password: 'password123'
+      }
+    })
+    
+    console.log('Created test user:', user.id)
+    
+    // Create a workflow with collection trigger
+    const workflow = await payload.create({
+      collection: 'workflows',
+      data: {
+        name: 'Test Post Creation Workflow',
+        description: 'Triggers when a post is created',
+        triggers: [
+          {
+            type: 'collection-trigger',
+            collectionSlug: 'posts',
+            operation: 'create'
+          }
+        ],
+        steps: [
+          {
+            name: 'log-post',
+            taskSlug: 'http-request-step',
+            input: JSON.stringify({
+              url: 'https://httpbin.org/post',
+              method: 'POST',
+              headers: {
+                'Content-Type': 'application/json'
+              },
+              body: {
+                message: 'Post created',
+                postId: '$.trigger.doc.id',
+                postTitle: '$.trigger.doc.title'
+              }
+            })
+          }
+        ]
+      },
+      user: user.id
+    })
+    
+    console.log('Created workflow:', workflow.id, workflow.name)
+    console.log('Workflow triggers:', JSON.stringify(workflow.triggers, null, 2))
+    
+    // Create a post to trigger the workflow
+    console.log('Creating post to trigger workflow...')
+    const post = await payload.create({
+      collection: 'posts',
+      data: {
+        title: 'Test Post',
+        content: 'This should trigger the workflow',
+        _status: 'published'
+      },
+      user: user.id
+    })
+    
+    console.log('Created post:', post.id)
+    
+    // Wait a bit for workflow to execute
+    await new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, 3000))
+    
+    // Check for workflow runs
+    const runs = await payload.find({
+      collection: 'workflow-runs',
+      where: {
+        workflow: {
+          equals: workflow.id
+        }
+      }
+    })
+    
+    console.log('Workflow runs found:', runs.totalDocs)
+    
+    const result = {
+      success: runs.totalDocs > 0,
+      workflowId: workflow.id,
+      postId: post.id,
+      runsFound: runs.totalDocs,
+      runs: runs.docs.map(r => ({
+        id: r.id,
+        status: r.status,
+        triggeredBy: r.triggeredBy,
+        startedAt: r.startedAt,
+        completedAt: r.completedAt,
+        error: r.error
+      }))
+    }
+    
+    if (runs.totalDocs > 0) {
+      console.log('✅ SUCCESS: Workflow was triggered!')
+      console.log('Run status:', runs.docs[0].status)
+      console.log('Run context:', JSON.stringify(runs.docs[0].context, null, 2))
+    } else {
+      console.log('❌ FAILURE: Workflow was not triggered')
+    }
+    
+    return NextResponse.json(result)
+    
+  } catch (error) {
+    console.error('Test failed:', error)
+    return NextResponse.json({ 
+      success: false, 
+      error: error instanceof Error ? error.message : 'Unknown error' 
+    }, { status: 500 })
+  }
+}

dev/payload-types.ts

@@ -217,7 +217,7 @@ export interface Workflow {
         /**
          * Collection that triggers the workflow
          */
-        collection?: 'posts' | null;
+        collectionSlug?: ('posts' | 'media') | null;
         /**
          * Collection operation that triggers the workflow
          */
@@ -242,6 +242,10 @@ export interface Workflow {
          * Timezone for cron execution (e.g., "America/New_York", "Europe/London"). Defaults to UTC.
          */
         timezone?: string | null;
+        /**
+         * JSONPath expression that must evaluate to true for this trigger to execute the workflow (e.g., "$.doc.status == 'published'")
+         */
+        condition?: string | null;
         id?: string | null;
       }[]
     | null;
@@ -262,6 +266,10 @@ export interface Workflow {
          * Step names that must complete before this step can run
          */
         dependencies?: string[] | null;
+        /**
+         * JSONPath expression that must evaluate to true for this step to execute (e.g., "$.trigger.doc.status == 'published'")
+         */
+        condition?: string | null;
         id?: string | null;
       }[]
     | null;
@@ -584,13 +592,14 @@ export interface WorkflowsSelect<T extends boolean = true> {
     | T
     | {
         type?: T;
-        collection?: T;
+        collectionSlug?: T;
         operation?: T;
         webhookPath?: T;
         global?: T;
         globalOperation?: T;
         cronExpression?: T;
         timezone?: T;
+        condition?: T;
         id?: T;
       };
   steps?:
@@ -600,6 +609,7 @@ export interface WorkflowsSelect<T extends boolean = true> {
         name?: T;
         input?: T;
         dependencies?: T;
+        condition?: T;
         id?: T;
       };
   updatedAt?: T;
@@ -741,7 +751,7 @@ export interface TaskCreateDocument {
     /**
      * The collection slug to create a document in
      */
-    collection: string;
+    collectionSlug: string;
     /**
      * The document data to create
      */

dev/payload.config.ts

@@ -103,7 +103,8 @@ const buildConfigWithMemoryDB = async () => {
     plugins: [
       workflowsPlugin<CollectionSlug>({
         collectionTriggers: {
-          posts: true
+          posts: true,
+          media: true
         },
         steps: [
           HttpRequestStepTask,

dev/simple-trigger.spec.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,132 @@
+import { describe, it, expect, beforeAll, afterAll } from 'vitest'
+import type { Payload } from 'payload'
+import { getPayload } from 'payload'
+import config from './payload.config'
+
+describe('Workflow Trigger Test', () => {
+  let payload: Payload
+
+  beforeAll(async () => {
+    payload = await getPayload({ config: await config })
+  }, 60000)
+
+  afterAll(async () => {
+    if (!payload) return
+    
+    try {
+      // Clear test data
+      const workflows = await payload.find({
+        collection: 'workflows',
+        limit: 100
+      })
+      
+      for (const workflow of workflows.docs) {
+        await payload.delete({
+          collection: 'workflows',
+          id: workflow.id
+        })
+      }
+
+      const runs = await payload.find({
+        collection: 'workflow-runs',
+        limit: 100
+      })
+      
+      for (const run of runs.docs) {
+        await payload.delete({
+          collection: 'workflow-runs',
+          id: run.id
+        })
+      }
+
+      const posts = await payload.find({
+        collection: 'posts',
+        limit: 100
+      })
+      
+      for (const post of posts.docs) {
+        await payload.delete({
+          collection: 'posts',
+          id: post.id
+        })
+      }
+    } catch (error) {
+      console.warn('Cleanup failed:', error)
+    }
+  }, 30000)
+
+  it('should create a workflow run when a post is created', async () => {
+    // Create a workflow with collection trigger
+    const workflow = await payload.create({
+      collection: 'workflows',
+      data: {
+        name: 'Test Post Creation Workflow',
+        description: 'Triggers when a post is created',
+        triggers: [
+          {
+            type: 'collection-trigger',
+            collectionSlug: 'posts',
+            operation: 'create'
+          }
+        ],
+        steps: [
+          {
+            name: 'log-post',
+            step: 'http-request-step',
+            input: {
+              url: 'https://httpbin.org/post',
+              method: 'POST',
+              headers: {
+                'Content-Type': 'application/json'
+              },
+              body: {
+                message: 'Post created',
+                postId: '$.trigger.doc.id',
+                postTitle: '$.trigger.doc.content'
+              }
+            }
+          }
+        ]
+      }
+    })
+
+    expect(workflow).toBeDefined()
+    expect(workflow.id).toBeDefined()
+
+    // Create a post to trigger the workflow
+    const post = await payload.create({
+      collection: 'posts',
+      data: {
+        content: 'This should trigger the workflow'
+      }
+    })
+
+    expect(post).toBeDefined()
+    expect(post.id).toBeDefined()
+
+    // Wait a bit for workflow to execute
+    await new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, 3000))
+
+    // Check for workflow runs
+    const runs = await payload.find({
+      collection: 'workflow-runs',
+      where: {
+        workflow: {
+          equals: workflow.id
+        }
+      },
+      limit: 10
+    })
+
+    expect(runs.totalDocs).toBeGreaterThan(0)
+    expect(runs.docs[0].workflow).toBe(typeof workflow.id === 'object' ? workflow.id.toString() : workflow.id)
+    
+    console.log('✅ Workflow run created successfully!')
+    console.log(`Run status: ${runs.docs[0].status}`)
+    console.log(`Run ID: ${runs.docs[0].id}`)
+    
+    if (runs.docs[0].status === 'failed' && runs.docs[0].error) {
+      console.log(`Error: ${runs.docs[0].error}`)
+    }
+  }, 30000)
+})

dev/test-trigger.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,104 @@
+import type { Payload } from 'payload'
+import { getPayload } from 'payload'
+import config from './payload.config'
+
+async function testWorkflowTrigger() {
+  console.log('Starting workflow trigger test...')
+  
+  // Get payload instance
+  const payload = await getPayload({ config })
+  
+  try {
+    // Create a test user
+    const user = await payload.create({
+      collection: 'users',
+      data: {
+        email: 'test@example.com',
+        password: 'password123'
+      }
+    })
+    
+    console.log('Created test user:', user.id)
+    
+    // Create a workflow with collection trigger
+    const workflow = await payload.create({
+      collection: 'workflows',
+      data: {
+        name: 'Test Post Creation Workflow',
+        description: 'Triggers when a post is created',
+        triggers: [
+          {
+            type: 'collection-trigger',
+            collectionSlug: 'posts',
+            operation: 'create'
+          }
+        ],
+        steps: [
+          {
+            name: 'log-post',
+            step: 'http-request-step',
+            input: {
+              url: 'https://httpbin.org/post',
+              method: 'POST',
+              headers: {
+                'Content-Type': 'application/json'
+              },
+              body: {
+                message: 'Post created',
+                postId: '$.trigger.doc.id',
+                postTitle: '$.trigger.doc.title'
+              }
+            }
+          }
+        ]
+      },
+      user: user.id
+    })
+    
+    console.log('Created workflow:', workflow.id)
+    
+    // Create a post to trigger the workflow
+    console.log('Creating post to trigger workflow...')
+    const post = await payload.create({
+      collection: 'posts',
+      data: {
+        title: 'Test Post',
+        content: 'This should trigger the workflow',
+        _status: 'published'
+      },
+      user: user.id
+    })
+    
+    console.log('Created post:', post.id)
+    
+    // Wait a bit for workflow to execute
+    await new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, 2000))
+    
+    // Check for workflow runs
+    const runs = await payload.find({
+      collection: 'workflow-runs',
+      where: {
+        workflow: {
+          equals: workflow.id
+        }
+      }
+    })
+    
+    console.log('Workflow runs found:', runs.totalDocs)
+    
+    if (runs.totalDocs > 0) {
+      console.log('✅ SUCCESS: Workflow was triggered!')
+      console.log('Run status:', runs.docs[0].status)
+      console.log('Run context:', JSON.stringify(runs.docs[0].context, null, 2))
+    } else {
+      console.log('❌ FAILURE: Workflow was not triggered')
+    }
+    
+  } catch (error) {
+    console.error('Test failed:', error)
+  } finally {
+    await payload.shutdown()
+  }
+}
+
+testWorkflowTrigger().catch(console.error)

package-lock.json

@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 {
   "name": "@xtr-dev/payload-workflows",
-  "version": "0.0.13",
+  "version": "0.0.22",
   "lockfileVersion": 3,
   "requires": true,
   "packages": {
     "": {
       "name": "@xtr-dev/payload-workflows",
-      "version": "0.0.13",
+      "version": "0.0.22",
       "license": "MIT",
       "dependencies": {
         "jsonpath-plus": "^10.3.0",

package.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@xtr-dev/payload-automation",
-  "version": "0.0.13",
+  "version": "0.0.22",
   "description": "PayloadCMS Automation Plugin - Comprehensive workflow automation system with visual workflow building, execution tracking, and step types",
   "license": "MIT",
   "type": "module",
@@ -85,6 +85,7 @@
     "react-dom": "19.1.0",
     "rimraf": "3.0.2",
     "sharp": "0.34.3",
+    "tsx": "^4.20.5",
     "typescript": "5.7.3",
     "vitest": "^3.1.2"
   },

pnpm-lock.yaml

@@ -90,6 +90,9 @@ importers:
       sharp:
         specifier: 0.34.3
         version: 0.34.3
+      tsx:
+        specifier: ^4.20.5
+        version: 4.20.5
       typescript:
         specifier: 5.7.3
         version: 5.7.3
@@ -9617,7 +9620,6 @@ snapshots:
       get-tsconfig: 4.10.1
     optionalDependencies:
       fsevents: 2.3.3
-    optional: true
 
   type-check@0.4.0:
     dependencies:

src/collections/Workflow.ts

@@ -197,11 +197,17 @@ export const createWorkflowCollection: <T extends string>(options: WorkflowsPlug
             }
           ]
         },
-        {
-          name: 'input',
-          type: 'json',
-          required: false
-        },
+        ...(steps || []).flatMap(step => (step.inputSchema || []).map(field => ({
+          ...field,
+          admin: {
+            ...(field.admin || {}),
+            condition: (...args) => args[1]?.step === step.slug && (
+              field.admin?.condition ?
+                field.admin.condition.call(this, ...args) :
+                true
+            ),
+          },
+        } as Field))),
         {
           name: 'dependencies',
           type: 'text',

src/core/trigger-custom-workflow.ts

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import type { Payload, PayloadRequest } from 'payload'
 
 import { initializeLogger } from '../plugin/logger.js'
-import { type Workflow, WorkflowExecutor } from './workflow-executor.js'
+import { type PayloadWorkflow, WorkflowExecutor } from './workflow-executor.js'
 
 export interface CustomTriggerOptions {
   /**
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ export async function triggerCustomWorkflow(
         }
 
         // Execute the workflow
-        await executor.execute(workflow as Workflow, context, workflowReq)
+        await executor.execute(workflow as PayloadWorkflow, context, workflowReq)
 
         // Get the latest run for this workflow to get the run ID
         const runs = await payload.find({
@@ -255,7 +255,7 @@ export async function triggerWorkflowById(
 
     // Create executor and execute
     const executor = new WorkflowExecutor(payload, logger)
-    await executor.execute(workflow as Workflow, context, workflowReq)
+    await executor.execute(workflow as PayloadWorkflow, context, workflowReq)
 
     // Get the latest run to get the run ID
     const runs = await payload.find({

src/core/workflow-executor.ts

@@ -1,31 +1,39 @@
 import type { Payload, PayloadRequest } from 'payload'
 
+// We need to reference the generated types dynamically since they're not available at build time
+// Using generic types and casting where necessary
+export type PayloadWorkflow = {
+  id: number
+  name: string
+  description?: string | null
+  triggers?: Array<{
+    type?: string | null
+    collectionSlug?: string | null
+    operation?: string | null
+    condition?: string | null
+    [key: string]: unknown
+  }> | null
+  steps?: Array<{
+    step?: string | null
+    name?: string | null
+    input?: unknown
+    dependencies?: string[] | null
+    condition?: string | null
+    [key: string]: unknown
+  }> | null
+  [key: string]: unknown
+}
+
 import { JSONPath } from 'jsonpath-plus'
 
-export type Workflow = {
-  _version?: number
-  id: string
-  name: string
-  steps: WorkflowStep[]
-  triggers: WorkflowTrigger[]
+// Helper type to extract workflow step data from the generated types
+export type WorkflowStep = NonNullable<PayloadWorkflow['steps']>[0] & {
+  name: string // Ensure name is always present for our execution logic
 }
 
-export type WorkflowStep = {
-  condition?: string
-  dependencies?: string[]
-  input?: null | Record<string, unknown>
-  name: string
-  step: string
-}
-
-export interface WorkflowTrigger {
-  collection?: string
-  condition?: string
-  global?: string
-  globalOperation?: string
-  operation?: string
-  type: string
-  webhookPath?: string
+// Helper type to extract workflow trigger data from the generated types  
+export type WorkflowTrigger = NonNullable<PayloadWorkflow['triggers']>[0] & {
+  type: string // Ensure type is always present for our execution logic
 }
 
 export interface ExecutionContext {
@@ -154,7 +162,7 @@ export class WorkflowExecutor {
 
     try {
       // Resolve input data using JSONPath
-      const resolvedInput = this.resolveStepInput(step.input || {}, context)
+      const resolvedInput = this.resolveStepInput(step.input as Record<string, unknown> || {}, context)
       context.steps[stepName].input = resolvedInput
 
       if (!taskSlug) {
@@ -398,6 +406,47 @@ export class WorkflowExecutor {
     return resolved
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Safely serialize an object, handling circular references and non-serializable values
+   */
+  private safeSerialize(obj: unknown): unknown {
+    const seen = new WeakSet()
+    
+    const serialize = (value: unknown): unknown => {
+      if (value === null || typeof value !== 'object') {
+        return value
+      }
+      
+      if (seen.has(value as object)) {
+        return '[Circular Reference]'
+      }
+      
+      seen.add(value as object)
+      
+      if (Array.isArray(value)) {
+        return value.map(serialize)
+      }
+      
+      const result: Record<string, unknown> = {}
+      for (const [key, val] of Object.entries(value as Record<string, unknown>)) {
+        try {
+          // Skip non-serializable properties that are likely internal database objects
+          if (key === 'table' || key === 'schema' || key === '_' || key === '__') {
+            continue
+          }
+          result[key] = serialize(val)
+        } catch {
+          // Skip properties that can't be accessed or serialized
+          result[key] = '[Non-serializable]'
+        }
+      }
+      
+      return result
+    }
+    
+    return serialize(obj)
+  }
+
   /**
    * Update workflow run with current context
    */
@@ -407,14 +456,14 @@ export class WorkflowExecutor {
     req: PayloadRequest
   ): Promise<void> {
     const serializeContext = () => ({
-      steps: context.steps,
+      steps: this.safeSerialize(context.steps),
       trigger: {
         type: context.trigger.type,
         collection: context.trigger.collection,
-        data: context.trigger.data,
-        doc: context.trigger.doc,
+        data: this.safeSerialize(context.trigger.data),
+        doc: this.safeSerialize(context.trigger.doc),
         operation: context.trigger.operation,
-        previousDoc: context.trigger.previousDoc,
+        previousDoc: this.safeSerialize(context.trigger.previousDoc),
         triggeredAt: context.trigger.triggeredAt,
         user: context.trigger.req?.user
       }
@@ -431,7 +480,7 @@ export class WorkflowExecutor {
   }
 
   /**
-   * Evaluate a condition using JSONPath
+   * Evaluate a condition using JSONPath and comparison operators
    */
   public evaluateCondition(condition: string, context: ExecutionContext): boolean {
     this.logger.debug({
@@ -443,34 +492,94 @@ export class WorkflowExecutor {
     }, 'Starting condition evaluation')
 
     try {
-      const result = JSONPath({
-        json: context,
-        path: condition,
-        wrap: false
-      })
-
-      this.logger.debug({
-        condition,
-        result,
-        resultType: Array.isArray(result) ? 'array' : typeof result,
-        resultLength: Array.isArray(result) ? result.length : undefined
-      }, 'JSONPath evaluation result')
-
-      // Handle different result types
-      let finalResult: boolean
-      if (Array.isArray(result)) {
-        finalResult = result.length > 0 && Boolean(result[0])
+      // Check if this is a comparison expression
+      const comparisonMatch = condition.match(/^(.+?)\s*(==|!=|>|<|>=|<=)\s*(.+)$/)
+      
+      if (comparisonMatch) {
+        const [, leftExpr, operator, rightExpr] = comparisonMatch
+        
+        // Evaluate left side (should be JSONPath)
+        const leftValue = this.resolveJSONPathValue(leftExpr.trim(), context)
+        
+        // Parse right side (could be string, number, boolean, or JSONPath)
+        const rightValue = this.parseConditionValue(rightExpr.trim(), context)
+        
+        this.logger.debug({
+          condition,
+          leftExpr: leftExpr.trim(),
+          leftValue,
+          operator,
+          rightExpr: rightExpr.trim(),
+          rightValue,
+          leftType: typeof leftValue,
+          rightType: typeof rightValue
+        }, 'Evaluating comparison condition')
+        
+        // Perform comparison
+        let result: boolean
+        switch (operator) {
+          case '==':
+            result = leftValue === rightValue
+            break
+          case '!=':
+            result = leftValue !== rightValue
+            break
+          case '>':
+            result = Number(leftValue) > Number(rightValue)
+            break
+          case '<':
+            result = Number(leftValue) < Number(rightValue)
+            break
+          case '>=':
+            result = Number(leftValue) >= Number(rightValue)
+            break
+          case '<=':
+            result = Number(leftValue) <= Number(rightValue)
+            break
+          default:
+            throw new Error(`Unknown comparison operator: ${operator}`)
+        }
+        
+        this.logger.debug({
+          condition,
+          result,
+          leftValue,
+          rightValue,
+          operator
+        }, 'Comparison condition evaluation completed')
+        
+        return result
       } else {
-        finalResult = Boolean(result)
+        // Treat as simple JSONPath boolean evaluation
+        const result = JSONPath({
+          json: context,
+          path: condition,
+          wrap: false
+        })
+
+        this.logger.debug({
+          condition,
+          result,
+          resultType: Array.isArray(result) ? 'array' : typeof result,
+          resultLength: Array.isArray(result) ? result.length : undefined
+        }, 'JSONPath boolean evaluation result')
+
+        // Handle different result types
+        let finalResult: boolean
+        if (Array.isArray(result)) {
+          finalResult = result.length > 0 && Boolean(result[0])
+        } else {
+          finalResult = Boolean(result)
+        }
+
+        this.logger.debug({
+          condition,
+          finalResult,
+          originalResult: result
+        }, 'Boolean condition evaluation completed')
+
+        return finalResult
       }
-
-      this.logger.debug({
-        condition,
-        finalResult,
-        originalResult: result
-      }, 'Condition evaluation completed')
-
-      return finalResult
     } catch (error) {
       this.logger.warn({
         condition,
@@ -482,47 +591,119 @@ export class WorkflowExecutor {
       return false
     }
   }
+  
+  /**
+   * Resolve a JSONPath value from the context
+   */
+  private resolveJSONPathValue(expr: string, context: ExecutionContext): any {
+    if (expr.startsWith('$')) {
+      const result = JSONPath({
+        json: context,
+        path: expr,
+        wrap: false
+      })
+      // Return first result if array, otherwise the result itself
+      return Array.isArray(result) && result.length > 0 ? result[0] : result
+    }
+    return expr
+  }
+  
+  /**
+   * Parse a condition value (string literal, number, boolean, or JSONPath)
+   */
+  private parseConditionValue(expr: string, context: ExecutionContext): any {
+    // Handle string literals
+    if ((expr.startsWith('"') && expr.endsWith('"')) || (expr.startsWith("'") && expr.endsWith("'"))) {
+      return expr.slice(1, -1) // Remove quotes
+    }
+    
+    // Handle boolean literals
+    if (expr === 'true') return true
+    if (expr === 'false') return false
+    
+    // Handle number literals
+    if (/^-?\d+(\.\d+)?$/.test(expr)) {
+      return Number(expr)
+    }
+    
+    // Handle JSONPath expressions
+    if (expr.startsWith('$')) {
+      return this.resolveJSONPathValue(expr, context)
+    }
+    
+    // Return as string if nothing else matches
+    return expr
+  }
 
   /**
    * Execute a workflow with the given context
    */
-  async execute(workflow: Workflow, context: ExecutionContext, req: PayloadRequest): Promise<void> {
+  async execute(workflow: PayloadWorkflow, context: ExecutionContext, req: PayloadRequest): Promise<void> {
     this.logger.info({
       workflowId: workflow.id,
       workflowName: workflow.name
     }, 'Starting workflow execution')
 
     const serializeContext = () => ({
-      steps: context.steps,
+      steps: this.safeSerialize(context.steps),
       trigger: {
         type: context.trigger.type,
         collection: context.trigger.collection,
-        data: context.trigger.data,
-        doc: context.trigger.doc,
+        data: this.safeSerialize(context.trigger.data),
+        doc: this.safeSerialize(context.trigger.doc),
         operation: context.trigger.operation,
-        previousDoc: context.trigger.previousDoc,
+        previousDoc: this.safeSerialize(context.trigger.previousDoc),
         triggeredAt: context.trigger.triggeredAt,
         user: context.trigger.req?.user
       }
     })
 
+    this.logger.info({
+      workflowId: workflow.id,
+      workflowName: workflow.name,
+      contextSummary: {
+        triggerType: context.trigger.type,
+        triggerCollection: context.trigger.collection,
+        triggerOperation: context.trigger.operation,
+        hasDoc: !!context.trigger.doc,
+        userEmail: context.trigger.req?.user?.email
+      }
+    }, 'About to create workflow run record')
+
     // Create a workflow run record
-    const workflowRun = await this.payload.create({
-      collection: 'workflow-runs',
-      data: {
-        context: serializeContext(),
-        startedAt: new Date().toISOString(),
-        status: 'running',
-        triggeredBy: context.trigger.req?.user?.email || 'system',
-        workflow: workflow.id,
-        workflowVersion: workflow._version || 1
-      },
-      req
-    })
+    let workflowRun;
+    try {
+      workflowRun = await this.payload.create({
+        collection: 'workflow-runs',
+        data: {
+          context: serializeContext(),
+          startedAt: new Date().toISOString(),
+          status: 'running',
+          triggeredBy: context.trigger.req?.user?.email || 'system',
+          workflow: workflow.id,
+          workflowVersion: 1 // Default version since generated type doesn't have _version field
+        },
+        req
+      })
+
+      this.logger.info({
+        workflowRunId: workflowRun.id,
+        workflowId: workflow.id,
+        workflowName: workflow.name
+      }, 'Workflow run record created successfully')
+    } catch (error) {
+      this.logger.error({
+        error: error instanceof Error ? error.message : 'Unknown error',
+        errorStack: error instanceof Error ? error.stack : undefined,
+        workflowId: workflow.id,
+        workflowName: workflow.name
+      }, 'Failed to create workflow run record')
+      throw error
+    }
 
     try {
       // Resolve execution order based on dependencies
-      const executionBatches = this.resolveExecutionOrder(workflow.steps)
+      const executionBatches = this.resolveExecutionOrder(workflow.steps as WorkflowStep[] || [])
 
       this.logger.info({
         batchSizes: executionBatches.map(batch => batch.length),
@@ -606,6 +787,13 @@ export class WorkflowExecutor {
     previousDoc: unknown,
     req: PayloadRequest
   ): Promise<void> {
+    console.log('🚨 EXECUTOR: executeTriggeredWorkflows called!')
+    console.log('🚨 EXECUTOR: Collection =', collection)
+    console.log('🚨 EXECUTOR: Operation =', operation)
+    console.log('🚨 EXECUTOR: Doc ID =', (doc as any)?.id)
+    console.log('🚨 EXECUTOR: Has payload?', !!this.payload)
+    console.log('🚨 EXECUTOR: Has logger?', !!this.logger)
+    
     this.logger.info({
       collection,
       operation,
@@ -662,6 +850,18 @@ export class WorkflowExecutor {
         }, 'Matching triggers found')
 
         for (const trigger of matchingTriggers) {
+          this.logger.info({
+            workflowId: workflow.id,
+            workflowName: workflow.name,
+            triggerDetails: {
+              type: trigger.type,
+              collection: trigger.collection,
+              collectionSlug: trigger.collectionSlug,
+              operation: trigger.operation,
+              hasCondition: !!trigger.condition
+            }
+          }, 'Processing matching trigger - about to execute workflow')
+
           // Create execution context for condition evaluation
           const context: ExecutionContext = {
             steps: {},
@@ -720,7 +920,7 @@ export class WorkflowExecutor {
           }, 'Triggering workflow')
 
           // Execute the workflow
-          await this.execute(workflow as Workflow, context, req)
+          await this.execute(workflow as PayloadWorkflow, context, req)
         }
       }
     } catch (error) {

src/index.ts

@@ -6,12 +6,15 @@ export type {
   CustomTriggerOptions,
   TriggerResult,
   ExecutionContext,
-  Workflow,
-  WorkflowStep,
-  WorkflowTrigger,
   WorkflowsPluginConfig
 } from './types/index.js'
 
+export type {
+  PayloadWorkflow as Workflow,
+  WorkflowStep,
+  WorkflowTrigger
+} from './core/workflow-executor.js'
+
 // Server-side functions are NOT re-exported here to avoid bundling issues
 // Import server-side functions from the /server export instead
 

src/plugin/cron-scheduler.ts

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import type {Config, Payload, TaskConfig} from 'payload'
 
 import cron from 'node-cron'
 
-import {type Workflow, WorkflowExecutor} from '../core/workflow-executor.js'
+import {type PayloadWorkflow, WorkflowExecutor} from '../core/workflow-executor.js'
 import {getConfigLogger} from './logger.js'
 
 /**
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ export function generateCronTasks(config: Config): void {
         }
 
         // Execute the workflow
-        await executor.execute(workflow as Workflow, context, req)
+        await executor.execute(workflow as PayloadWorkflow, context, req)
 
         // Re-queue the job for the next scheduled execution if cronExpression is provided
         if (cronExpression) {

src/plugin/index.ts

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import type {Config} from 'payload'
 
-import type {WorkflowsPluginConfig} from "./config-types.js"
+import type {WorkflowsPluginConfig, CollectionTriggerConfigCrud} from "./config-types.js"
 
 import {createWorkflowCollection} from '../collections/Workflow.js'
 import {WorkflowRunsCollection} from '../collections/WorkflowRuns.js'
@@ -15,6 +15,24 @@ import {getConfigLogger, initializeLogger} from './logger.js'
 
 export {getLogger} from './logger.js'
 
+// Global executor registry for config-phase hooks
+let globalExecutor: WorkflowExecutor | null = null
+
+const setWorkflowExecutor = (executor: WorkflowExecutor) => {
+  console.log('🚨 SETTING GLOBAL EXECUTOR')
+  globalExecutor = executor
+  
+  // Also set on global object as fallback
+  if (typeof global !== 'undefined') {
+    (global as any).__workflowExecutor = executor
+    console.log('🚨 EXECUTOR ALSO SET ON GLOBAL OBJECT')
+  }
+}
+
+const getWorkflowExecutor = (): WorkflowExecutor | null => {
+  return globalExecutor
+}
+
 const applyCollectionsConfig = <T extends string>(pluginOptions: WorkflowsPluginConfig<T>, config: Config) => {
   // Add workflow collections
   if (!config.collections) {
@@ -27,8 +45,8 @@ const applyCollectionsConfig = <T extends string>(pluginOptions: WorkflowsPlugin
   )
 }
 
-// Track if hooks have been initialized to prevent double registration
-let hooksInitialized = false
+// Removed config-phase hook registration - user collections don't exist during config phase
+
 
 export const workflowsPlugin =
   <TSlug extends string>(pluginOptions: WorkflowsPluginConfig<TSlug>) =>
@@ -39,6 +57,92 @@ export const workflowsPlugin =
       }
 
       applyCollectionsConfig<TSlug>(pluginOptions, config)
+      
+      // CRITICAL: Modify existing collection configs BEFORE PayloadCMS processes them
+      // This is the ONLY time we can add hooks that will actually work
+      const logger = getConfigLogger()
+      logger.info('Attempting to modify collection configs before PayloadCMS initialization...')
+      
+      if (config.collections && pluginOptions.collectionTriggers) {
+        for (const [triggerSlug, triggerConfig] of Object.entries(pluginOptions.collectionTriggers)) {
+          if (!triggerConfig) continue
+          
+          // Find the collection config that matches
+          const collectionIndex = config.collections.findIndex(c => c.slug === triggerSlug)
+          if (collectionIndex === -1) {
+            logger.warn(`Collection '${triggerSlug}' not found in config.collections`)
+            continue
+          }
+          
+          const collection = config.collections[collectionIndex]
+          logger.info(`Found collection '${triggerSlug}' - modifying its hooks...`)
+          
+          // Initialize hooks if needed
+          if (!collection.hooks) {
+            collection.hooks = {}
+          }
+          if (!collection.hooks.afterChange) {
+            collection.hooks.afterChange = []
+          }
+          
+          // Create a properly bound hook function that doesn't rely on closures
+          // Use a simple function that PayloadCMS can definitely execute
+          const automationHook = Object.assign(
+            async function payloadAutomationHook(args: any) {
+              try {
+                // Use global console to ensure output
+                global.console.log('🔥🔥🔥 AUTOMATION HOOK EXECUTED! 🔥🔥🔥')
+                global.console.log('Collection:', args?.collection?.slug)
+                global.console.log('Operation:', args?.operation)
+                global.console.log('Doc ID:', args?.doc?.id)
+                
+                // Try multiple ways to get the executor
+                let executor = null
+                
+                // Method 1: Global registry
+                if (typeof getWorkflowExecutor === 'function') {
+                  executor = getWorkflowExecutor()
+                }
+                
+                // Method 2: Global variable fallback
+                if (!executor && typeof global !== 'undefined' && (global as any).__workflowExecutor) {
+                  executor = (global as any).__workflowExecutor
+                  global.console.log('Got executor from global variable')
+                }
+                
+                if (executor) {
+                  global.console.log('✅ Executor found - executing workflows!')
+                  await executor.executeTriggeredWorkflows(
+                    args.collection.slug,
+                    args.operation,
+                    args.doc,
+                    args.previousDoc,
+                    args.req
+                  )
+                  global.console.log('✅ Workflow execution completed!')
+                } else {
+                  global.console.log('⚠️ No executor available')
+                }
+              } catch (error) {
+                global.console.error('❌ Hook execution error:', error)
+                // Don't throw - just log
+              }
+              
+              // Always return undefined to match other hooks
+              return undefined
+            },
+            {
+              // Add metadata to help debugging
+              __isAutomationHook: true,
+              __version: '0.0.21'
+            }
+          )
+          
+          // Add the hook to the collection config
+          collection.hooks.afterChange.push(automationHook)
+          logger.info(`Added automation hook to '${triggerSlug}' - hook count: ${collection.hooks.afterChange.length}`)
+        }
+      }
 
       if (!config.jobs) {
         config.jobs = {tasks: []}
@@ -65,13 +169,7 @@ export const workflowsPlugin =
       // Set up onInit to register collection hooks and initialize features
       const incomingOnInit = config.onInit
       config.onInit = async (payload) => {
-        configLogger.info(`onInit called - hooks already initialized: ${hooksInitialized}, collections: ${Object.keys(payload.collections).length}`)
-        
-        // Prevent double initialization in dev mode
-        if (hooksInitialized) {
-          configLogger.warn('Hooks already initialized, skipping to prevent duplicate registration')
-          return
-        }
+        configLogger.info(`onInit called - collections: ${Object.keys(payload.collections).length}`)
         
         // Execute any existing onInit functions first
         if (incomingOnInit) {
@@ -87,11 +185,16 @@ export const workflowsPlugin =
         logger.info(`Plugin configuration: ${Object.keys(pluginOptions.collectionTriggers || {}).length} collection triggers, ${pluginOptions.steps?.length || 0} steps`)
 
         // Create workflow executor instance
+        console.log('🚨 CREATING WORKFLOW EXECUTOR INSTANCE')
         const executor = new WorkflowExecutor(payload, logger)
+        console.log('🚨 EXECUTOR CREATED:', typeof executor)
+        console.log('🚨 EXECUTOR METHODS:', Object.getOwnPropertyNames(Object.getPrototypeOf(executor)))
+        
+        // Register executor globally
+        setWorkflowExecutor(executor)
 
-        // Initialize hooks
-        logger.info('Initializing collection hooks...')
-        initCollectionHooks(pluginOptions, payload, logger, executor)
+        // Hooks are now registered during config phase - just log status
+        logger.info('Hooks were registered during config phase - executor now available')
         
         logger.info('Initializing global hooks...')
         initGlobalHooks(payload, logger, executor)
@@ -107,7 +210,6 @@ export const workflowsPlugin =
         await registerCronJobs(payload, logger)
 
         logger.info('Plugin initialized successfully - all hooks registered')
-        hooksInitialized = true
       }
 
       return config

src/plugin/init-collection-hooks.ts

@@ -39,19 +39,55 @@ export function initCollectionHooks<T extends string>(pluginOptions: WorkflowsPl
       collection.config.hooks.afterChange = collection.config.hooks.afterChange || []
       collection.config.hooks.afterChange.push(async (change) => {
         const operation = change.operation as 'create' | 'update'
-        logger.debug({
+        
+        // AGGRESSIVE LOGGING - this should ALWAYS appear
+        console.log('🚨 AUTOMATION PLUGIN HOOK CALLED! 🚨')
+        console.log('Collection:', change.collection.slug)
+        console.log('Operation:', operation)
+        console.log('Doc ID:', change.doc?.id)
+        console.log('Has executor?', !!executor)
+        console.log('Executor type:', typeof executor)
+        
+        logger.info({
           slug: change.collection.slug,
           operation,
-        }, 'Collection hook triggered')
+          docId: change.doc?.id,
+          previousDocId: change.previousDoc?.id,
+          hasExecutor: !!executor,
+          executorType: typeof executor
+        }, 'AUTOMATION PLUGIN: Collection hook triggered')
 
-        // Execute workflows for this trigger
-        await executor.executeTriggeredWorkflows(
-          change.collection.slug,
-          operation,
-          change.doc,
-          change.previousDoc,
-          change.req
-        )
+        try {
+          console.log('🚨 About to call executeTriggeredWorkflows')
+          
+          // Execute workflows for this trigger
+          await executor.executeTriggeredWorkflows(
+            change.collection.slug,
+            operation,
+            change.doc,
+            change.previousDoc,
+            change.req
+          )
+          
+          console.log('🚨 executeTriggeredWorkflows completed without error')
+          
+          logger.info({
+            slug: change.collection.slug,
+            operation,
+            docId: change.doc?.id
+          }, 'AUTOMATION PLUGIN: executeTriggeredWorkflows completed successfully')
+        } catch (error) {
+          console.log('🚨 AUTOMATION PLUGIN ERROR:', error)
+          
+          logger.error({
+            slug: change.collection.slug,
+            operation,
+            docId: change.doc?.id,
+            error: error instanceof Error ? error.message : 'Unknown error',
+            stack: error instanceof Error ? error.stack : undefined
+          }, 'AUTOMATION PLUGIN: executeTriggeredWorkflows failed')
+          // Don't re-throw to avoid breaking other hooks
+        }
       })
     }
 

src/plugin/init-global-hooks.ts

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import type { Payload, PayloadRequest } from "payload"
 import type { Logger } from "pino"
 
-import type { WorkflowExecutor, Workflow } from "../core/workflow-executor.js"
+import type { WorkflowExecutor, PayloadWorkflow } from "../core/workflow-executor.js"
 
 export function initGlobalHooks(payload: Payload, logger: Payload['logger'], executor: WorkflowExecutor) {
   // Get all globals from the config
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ async function executeTriggeredGlobalWorkflows(
       }
 
       // Execute the workflow
-      await executor.execute(workflow as Workflow, context, req)
+      await executor.execute(workflow as PayloadWorkflow, context, req)
     }
   } catch (error) {
     logger.error({

src/plugin/init-webhook.ts

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import type {Config, PayloadRequest} from 'payload'
 
-import {type Workflow, WorkflowExecutor} from '../core/workflow-executor.js'
+import {type PayloadWorkflow, WorkflowExecutor} from '../core/workflow-executor.js'
 import {getConfigLogger, initializeLogger} from './logger.js'
 
 export function initWebhookEndpoint(config: Config, webhookPrefix = 'webhook'): void {
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ export function initWebhookEndpoint(config: Config, webhookPrefix = 'webhook'):
             }
 
             // Execute the workflow
-            await executor.execute(workflow as Workflow, context, req)
+            await executor.execute(workflow as PayloadWorkflow, context, req)
 
             return { status: 'triggered', workflowId: workflow.id }
           } catch (error) {

src/types/index.ts

@@ -27,30 +27,9 @@ export interface ExecutionContext {
   req: any // PayloadRequest
 }
 
-export interface WorkflowStep {
-  id: string
-  type: string
-  input: Record<string, any>
-  dependencies?: string[]
-}
-
-export interface WorkflowTrigger {
-  type: 'collection' | 'global' | 'webhook' | 'cron' | 'manual'
-  collection?: string
-  global?: string
-  event?: 'create' | 'update' | 'delete' | 'read'
-  path?: string
-  cron?: string
-}
-
-export interface Workflow {
-  id: string
-  name: string
-  description?: string
-  active: boolean
-  triggers: WorkflowTrigger[]
-  steps: WorkflowStep[]
-}
+// NOTE: Workflow, WorkflowStep, and WorkflowTrigger types are now imported from the generated PayloadCMS types
+// These interfaces have been removed to avoid duplication and inconsistencies
+// Import them from 'payload' or the generated payload-types.ts file instead
 
 export interface WorkflowsPluginConfig {
   collections?: string[]