# Start a care flow
URL: https://docs.awellhealth.com/docs/run-care-flows/start-a-care-flow

> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.awellhealth.com/llms.txt).





Starting a care flow enrolls a patient in it. From that moment Awell orchestrates their activities.

A patient record has to exist first. See [Create patients](/docs/run-care-flows/create-patients).

## Start a care flow manually [#start-a-care-flow-manually]

1. Go to the **Patient list** in Awell Care.
2. Select the patient.
3. Click **Start care flow** in the quick-access links on the left of the patient profile.
4. Choose the care flow from the list of **published** care flows.
5. If the flow asks for
   [baseline data points](/docs/design-care-flows/enrich-your-care-flow-with-baseline-data), fill them
   in.

<img alt="Starting a care flow for a patient, searching the published care flows by name" src="__img0" />

The list shows the version and the date it was published, so it is clear which one a patient is being
enrolled in.

Only **published** care flows appear in that list. A missing care flow hasn't been published yet. See
[Publish and set your care flow live](/docs/design-care-flows/publish-set-your-care-flow-live).

## Baseline data is worth filling in properly [#baseline-data-is-worth-filling-in-properly]

Baseline data points are the values the flow needs but doesn't collect itself, like a surgery date.
Mandatory ones block the start; optional ones don't. But if the flow's logic reads an optional value
that is missing, the flow **stalls** at that logic without reporting an error. Fill in whatever is
available.

## Start a care flow through the API [#start-a-care-flow-through-the-api]

Use the `startPathway` mutation. See
[Care flows in the API reference](/api-reference/reference/care-flows).

This is how another system enrolls patients automatically, for example when a referral is accepted.

## Next steps [#next-steps]

**Next:** [Review and interact with care flow activities](/docs/run-care-flows/review-and-interact-with-care-flow-activities)
to see what the flow generated.