Flow inputs carry an origin hint, run or panel

The Inputs editor and the canvas label show it, and the run forms leave
panel inputs out.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 5.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>
Claude-Session: https://claude.ai/code/session_01WgBfkm4rCmtd1T4vHWjEPx

backend/fluksio/flow/schemas.py

@@ -267,6 +267,15 @@ class FlowInput(BaseModel):
 
     spec: MessageSpec
     initial: Any | None = None
+    origin: Literal["run", "panel"] = Field(
+        default="run",
+        description=(
+            "What writes it. A run input is a parameter a run passes in, a "
+            "panel input is written by a dashboard or panel control. A hint "
+            "only: run forms leave panel inputs out, the engine treats both "
+            "the same."
+        ),
+    )
 
 
 class FlowDef(BaseModel):

docs/concepts/flows.md

@@ -96,13 +96,18 @@ Declare messages supplied by dashboard controls, the API or run parameters as
 the flow's **Inputs**. Give live inputs a starting value:
 
 ```json
-{"inputs": [{"spec": {"name": "setpoint", "dtype": "float"}, "initial": 21.0}]}
+{"inputs": [{"spec": {"name": "setpoint", "dtype": "float"}, "initial": 21.0, "origin": "panel"}]}
 ```
 
 This seeds `house.setpoint` in flow `house` if it has no value yet. Later
 publications replace it. Batch inputs are run parameters, and batch outputs
 select the run's result. See [Where a node's values come from](values.md).
 
+`origin` says what writes an input: `run` (the default) for a parameter a run
+passes in, `panel` for a dashboard or panel control. The canvas labels each
+input with it, and the run form leaves panel inputs out, so a run keeps their
+starting value. The engine treats both the same.
+
 ## Drafts and publishing
 
 - **Saving** stores a draft; the engine keeps running the published version.

docs/concepts/values.md

@@ -47,8 +47,10 @@ The initial value seeds an unset live message. Later publications take over;
 changing the starting value does not overwrite a value already in state.
 Use **Publish this value now** in the input row to send it immediately.
 
-The canvas draws flow inputs as labelled endpoints. Without a producer or
-declared input, a consuming node reports `unconnected_input`.
+The canvas draws flow inputs as labelled endpoints, marked `run` or `panel`
+by what writes them. A panel input is one a dashboard or panel control writes,
+and the run form does not ask for it. Without a producer or declared input, a
+consuming node reports `unconnected_input`.
 
 A batch flow's inputs are run parameters. Its **Result** section selects the
 messages returned when the run finishes. See [Runs](runs.md).

docs/interface/flow-editor.md

@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ Open **Flow settings** from the pencil button in the dock.
 |---|---|
 | **Running** | starts or stops the published live flow's subscriptions, schedules and webhooks |
 | **Mode** | chooses continuous `live` operation or requested `batch` runs |
-| **Inputs** | declares external messages and starting values; batch inputs become run parameters |
+| **Inputs** | declares external messages, their starting values and whether a run or a panel writes them; run inputs become run parameters |
 | **Result** | selects batch output messages |
 | **Contents** | shows the node count and message namespace |
 

frontend/src/client/schemas.gen.ts

@@ -1355,6 +1355,13 @@ export const FlowInput_InputSchema = {
                 }
             ],
             title: 'Initial'
+        },
+        origin: {
+            type: 'string',
+            enum: ['run', 'panel'],
+            title: 'Origin',
+            description: 'What writes it. A run input is a parameter a run passes in, a panel input is written by a dashboard or panel control. A hint only: run forms leave panel inputs out, the engine treats both the same.',
+            default: 'run'
         }
     },
     type: 'object',
@@ -1376,6 +1383,13 @@ export const FlowInput_OutputSchema = {
                 }
             ],
             title: 'Initial'
+        },
+        origin: {
+            type: 'string',
+            enum: ['run', 'panel'],
+            title: 'Origin',
+            description: 'What writes it. A run input is a parameter a run passes in, a panel input is written by a dashboard or panel control. A hint only: run forms leave panel inputs out, the engine treats both the same.',
+            default: 'run'
         }
     },
     type: 'object',

frontend/src/client/types.gen.ts

@@ -391,14 +391,27 @@ export type FlowDetail = {
 export type FlowInput_Input = {
     spec: MessageSpec;
     initial?: (unknown | null);
+    /**
+     * What writes it. A run input is a parameter a run passes in, a panel input is written by a dashboard or panel control. A hint only: run forms leave panel inputs out, the engine treats both the same.
+     */
+    origin?: 'run' | 'panel';
 };
 
+/**
+ * What writes it. A run input is a parameter a run passes in, a panel input is written by a dashboard or panel control. A hint only: run forms leave panel inputs out, the engine treats both the same.
+ */
+export type origin = 'run' | 'panel';
+
 /**
  * A message the flow starts with rather than computes.
  */
 export type FlowInput_Output = {
     spec: MessageSpec;
     initial?: (unknown | null);
+    /**
+     * What writes it. A run input is a parameter a run passes in, a panel input is written by a dashboard or panel control. A hint only: run forms leave panel inputs out, the engine treats both the same.
+     */
+    origin?: 'run' | 'panel';
 };
 
 /**

frontend/src/components/Flow/FlowBoundary.tsx

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import { MessagesService } from "@/client"
 import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button"
 import { Checkbox } from "@/components/ui/checkbox"
 import { Input } from "@/components/ui/input"
+import { Segmented } from "@/components/ui/segmented"
 import {
   Select,
   SelectContent,
@@ -160,6 +161,12 @@ function usePublishInput() {
   })
 }
 
+/** What writes an input: a run passing it in, or a control on a panel. */
+const ORIGINS = [
+  ["run", "run"],
+  ["panel", "panel"],
+] as const
+
 function InputRow({
   flow,
   declared,
@@ -231,34 +238,44 @@ function InputRow({
         </Button>
       </div>
 
-      {live && name ? (
-        <div className="flex items-center gap-2 pl-1 text-xs text-muted-foreground">
-          <span className="shrink-0">now</span>
-          {current === undefined ? (
-            <span className="flex-1">—</span>
-          ) : (
-            <span className="min-w-0 flex-1">
-              <ValuePreview value={current.value} dtype={spec.dtype} />
-            </span>
-          )}
-          <Tooltip>
-            <TooltipTrigger asChild>
-              <Button
-                variant="ghost"
-                size="icon-sm"
-                aria-label="Publish this value now"
-                disabled={publish.isPending || declared.initial === null}
-                onClick={() =>
-                  publish.mutate({ message, value: declared.initial })
-                }
-              >
-                <ArrowUpFromLine />
-              </Button>
-            </TooltipTrigger>
-            <TooltipContent>Put this value into the flow now</TooltipContent>
-          </Tooltip>
-        </div>
-      ) : null}
+      <div className="flex items-center gap-2 pl-1 text-xs text-muted-foreground">
+        <Segmented
+          label="Written by"
+          value={declared.origin ?? "run"}
+          options={ORIGINS}
+          onChange={(origin) =>
+            onChange({ ...declared, origin: origin as typeof declared.origin })
+          }
+        />
+        {live && name ? (
+          <>
+            <span className="shrink-0">now</span>
+            {current === undefined ? (
+              <span className="flex-1">—</span>
+            ) : (
+              <span className="min-w-0 flex-1">
+                <ValuePreview value={current.value} dtype={spec.dtype} />
+              </span>
+            )}
+            <Tooltip>
+              <TooltipTrigger asChild>
+                <Button
+                  variant="ghost"
+                  size="icon-sm"
+                  aria-label="Publish this value now"
+                  disabled={publish.isPending || declared.initial === null}
+                  onClick={() =>
+                    publish.mutate({ message, value: declared.initial })
+                  }
+                >
+                  <ArrowUpFromLine />
+                </Button>
+              </TooltipTrigger>
+              <TooltipContent>Put this value into the flow now</TooltipContent>
+            </Tooltip>
+          </>
+        ) : null}
+      </div>
     </div>
   )
 }
@@ -338,8 +355,9 @@ export function BoundarySections({
         <div className="flex items-center justify-between">
           <span className={PANEL_SECTION}>Inputs</span>
           <InfoTip label="Inputs">
-            Messages that arrive from outside, such as a dashboard control, a
-            run or the API, and the value the flow starts from.
+            Messages that arrive from outside, and the value the flow starts
+            from. A run passes a run input in, a dashboard or panel control
+            writes a panel input.
           </InfoTip>
           <Button
             variant="ghost"

frontend/src/components/Flow/RunDialog.tsx

@@ -94,9 +94,16 @@ export function initialText(inputs: FlowInput_Input[]): Record<string, string> {
   )
 }
 
-/** The declared inputs worth drawing a field for. */
+/**
+ * The declared inputs worth drawing a field for.
+ *
+ * A panel input is a control's to write, so a run keeps its starting value
+ * and the form does not offer it as a parameter.
+ */
 export function declaredInputs(definition: FlowDef_Input): FlowInput_Input[] {
-  return (definition.inputs ?? []).filter((one) => one.spec?.name)
+  return (definition.inputs ?? []).filter(
+    (one) => one.spec?.name && one.origin !== "panel",
+  )
 }
 
 /**

frontend/src/components/Flow/deriveEdges.ts

@@ -91,11 +91,14 @@ export function deriveEdges(nodes: NodeDef_Input[], flow: string): Edge[] {
  */
 export function boundaryKey(doc: {
   mode?: string | null
-  inputs?: { spec?: MessageSpec | null }[] | null
+  inputs?: { spec?: MessageSpec | null; origin?: string }[] | null
   outputs?: string[] | null
 }): string {
   const inputs = (doc.inputs ?? [])
-    .map((one) => `${one.spec?.name ?? ""}:${one.spec?.dtype ?? ""}`)
+    .map(
+      (one) =>
+        `${one.spec?.name ?? ""}:${one.spec?.dtype ?? ""}:${one.origin ?? ""}`,
+    )
     .join(",")
   return `${doc.mode ?? "live"}|${inputs}|${(doc.outputs ?? []).join(",")}`
 }

frontend/src/components/Flow/endpoints.ts

@@ -62,7 +62,8 @@ function boundaryOf(
       kind: "input",
       id: `input:${message}`,
       label: displayName(flow, message),
-      detail: declared.spec?.dtype ?? "float",
+      // What writes it, so a control's input does not read as a run's.
+      detail: `${declared.origin ?? "run"} · ${declared.spec?.dtype ?? "float"}`,
       provides: [message],
       requires: [],
     })