Pattern

Parse value discipline

Tool, connector, and HTTP results that reach users as raw JSON or break silently after an upstream API change.

Last reviewed 8 July 2026

The pattern

After every tool, connector, or HTTP action, add a Parse value node. Results from these actions arrive as plain text or untyped values, not as usable fields. Give the node a sample of the real response and let it derive the schema. The derived schema is frozen: it does not update itself when the API behind it changes. When the upstream API changes, pull a fresh sample and derive the schema again.

When to use it

  • After every tool, connector, or HTTP request action in a topic.
  • After every agent flow that returns a structured result as a string.
  • Whenever the chat shows raw JSON instead of a readable answer.
  • Whenever parsing broke without any change on your side; check the upstream API first.

Steps

  1. Run the tool, connector, or HTTP action once and copy a real sample response.
  2. Add a "Parse value" node directly after the action.
  3. Set it to work from sample data, using "Get schema from sample JSON".
  4. Paste the sample and confirm the derived schema.
  5. Store the parsed fields in variables and use only these fields in later nodes.
  6. Note which API version the sample came from.
  7. When the upstream API changes, repeat steps 1 to 4 with a fresh sample.