Start node can be delete in workflow #21789

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opened 2026-02-21 20:14:18 -05:00 by yindo · 5 comments
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Originally created by @Angelenx on GitHub (Jan 20, 2026).

Self Checks

  • I have read the Contributing Guide and Language Policy.
  • This is only for bug report, if you would like to ask a question, please head to Discussions.
  • I have searched for existing issues search for existing issues, including closed ones.
  • I confirm that I am using English to submit this report, otherwise it will be closed.
  • 【中文用户 & Non English User】请使用英语提交,否则会被关闭 :)
  • Please do not modify this template :) and fill in all the required fields.

Dify version

1.11.4

Cloud or Self Hosted

Self Hosted (Source)

Steps to reproduce

Create a new workflow, select the start node, then the start node was deleted by pressing the "delete" key, accidentally . And cannot add the start node again, and cannot undo with Ctrl+Z.

✔️ Expected Behavior

The start node cannot be deleted, or it can be created when there is no start node.

Actual Behavior

The start node was deleted and the workflow was broken.

Originally created by @Angelenx on GitHub (Jan 20, 2026). ### Self Checks - [x] I have read the [Contributing Guide](https://github.com/langgenius/dify/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md) and [Language Policy](https://github.com/langgenius/dify/issues/1542). - [x] This is only for bug report, if you would like to ask a question, please head to [Discussions](https://github.com/langgenius/dify/discussions/categories/general). - [x] I have searched for existing issues [search for existing issues](https://github.com/langgenius/dify/issues), including closed ones. - [x] I confirm that I am using English to submit this report, otherwise it will be closed. - [x] 【中文用户 & Non English User】请使用英语提交,否则会被关闭 :) - [x] Please do not modify this template :) and fill in all the required fields. ### Dify version 1.11.4 ### Cloud or Self Hosted Self Hosted (Source) ### Steps to reproduce Create a new workflow, select the start node, then the start node was deleted by pressing the "delete" key, accidentally . And cannot add the start node again, and cannot undo with Ctrl+Z. ### ✔️ Expected Behavior The start node cannot be deleted, or it can be created when there is no start node. ### ❌ Actual Behavior The start node was deleted and the workflow was broken.
yindo added the 🐞 bug label 2026-02-21 20:14:18 -05:00
yindo closed this issue 2026-02-21 20:14:18 -05:00
Author
Owner

@dosubot[bot] commented on GitHub (Jan 20, 2026):

This is a confirmed bug: in Dify 1.11.4, the workflow editor lets you delete the start node, which breaks the workflow and cannot be undone or restored via Ctrl+Z. There is no built-in safeguard or reliable way to re-add the start node after deletion, and the UI does not expose an option to recreate it once removed. This behavior is by design in the current code, as the restriction on deleting the entry node was intentionally removed to allow empty workflows, but it leads to the issue you described. The problem is tracked and recognized by maintainers, but there is no fix yet (source).

Workarounds are limited: if the UI still allows, try refreshing the page or switching tabs to see if the option to add a start node reappears. If not, you may need to restore from a backup if you have one. To avoid data loss, back up your workflows before making major changes. For advanced users, you could modify the node metadata in the source code to mark the start node as undeletable, but this requires editing and rebuilding the frontend (source).

Until a fix is released, avoid deleting the start node in your workflows.

To reply, just mention @dosu.


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@dosubot[bot] commented on GitHub (Jan 20, 2026): <!-- Answer --> This is a confirmed bug: in Dify 1.11.4, the workflow editor lets you delete the start node, which breaks the workflow and cannot be undone or restored via Ctrl+Z. There is no built-in safeguard or reliable way to re-add the start node after deletion, and the UI does not expose an option to recreate it once removed. This behavior is by design in the current code, as the restriction on deleting the entry node was intentionally removed to allow empty workflows, but it leads to the issue you described. The problem is tracked and recognized by maintainers, but there is no fix yet ([source](https://github.com/langgenius/dify/blob/3ebe53ada1199a90e6d2fbcc3b9c39d416ba1469/web/app/components/workflow/hooks/use-nodes-interactions.ts#L67-L1935)). Workarounds are limited: if the UI still allows, try refreshing the page or switching tabs to see if the option to add a start node reappears. If not, you may need to restore from a backup if you have one. To avoid data loss, back up your workflows before making major changes. For advanced users, you could modify the node metadata in the source code to mark the start node as undeletable, but this requires editing and rebuilding the frontend ([source](https://github.com/langgenius/dify/issues/28226)). Until a fix is released, avoid deleting the start node in your workflows. <!-- Dosu Comment Footer --> *To reply, just mention [@dosu](https://go.dosu.dev/dosubot).* --- <sup>How did I do? [Good](https://app.dosu.dev/response-feedback/02a19c52-2a5a-41f7-bb10-994e48268e33?feedback_type=great_response) | [Irrelevant](https://app.dosu.dev/response-feedback/02a19c52-2a5a-41f7-bb10-994e48268e33?feedback_type=irrelevant_answer) | [Incorrect](https://app.dosu.dev/response-feedback/02a19c52-2a5a-41f7-bb10-994e48268e33?feedback_type=incorrect_sources) | [Verbose](https://app.dosu.dev/response-feedback/02a19c52-2a5a-41f7-bb10-994e48268e33?feedback_type=too_verbose) | [Hallucination](https://app.dosu.dev/response-feedback/02a19c52-2a5a-41f7-bb10-994e48268e33?feedback_type=hallucination) | [Report 🐛](https://app.dosu.dev/response-feedback/02a19c52-2a5a-41f7-bb10-994e48268e33?feedback_type=bug_report) | [Other](https://app.dosu.dev/response-feedback/02a19c52-2a5a-41f7-bb10-994e48268e33?feedback_type=other)</sup> [![Chat with Dosu](https://dosu.dev/dosu-chat-badge.svg)](https://app.dosu.dev/6088a4f4-073a-43f3-b3d4-4f06fb0c05a0/ask?utm_source=github)&nbsp;[![Open in Cursor](https://dosu.dev/dosu-in-cursor.svg)](https://cursor.com/link/prompt?text=This%20is%20a%20confirmed%20bug%3A%20in%20Dify%201.11.4%2C%20the%20workflow%20editor%20lets%20you%20delete%20the%20start%20node%2C%20which%20breaks%20the%20workflow%20and%20cannot%20be%20undone%20or%20restored%20via%20Ctrl%2BZ.%20There%20is%20no%20built-in%20safeguard%20or%20reliable%20way%20to%20re-add%20the%20start%20node%20after%20deletion%2C%20and%20the%20UI%20does%20not%20expose%20an%20option%20to%20recreate%20it%20once%20removed.%20This%20behavior%20is%20by%20design%20in%20the%20current%20code%2C%20as%20the%20restriction%20on%20deleting%20the%20entry%20node%20was%20intentionally%20removed%20to%20allow%20empty%20workflows%2C%20but%20it%20leads%20to%20the%20issue%20you%20described.%20The%20problem%20is%20tracked%20and%20recognized%20by%20maintainers%2C%20but%20there%20is%20no%20fix%20yet%20%28%5Bsource%5D%28https%3A//github.com/langgenius/dify/blob/3ebe53ada1199a90e6d2fbcc3b9c39d416ba1469/web/app/components/workflow/hooks/use-nodes-interactions.ts%23L67-L1935%29%29.%0A%0AWorkarounds%20are%20limited%3A%20if%20the%20UI%20still%20allows%2C%20try%20refreshing%20the%20page%20or%20switching%20tabs%20to%20see%20if%20the%20option%20to%20add%20a%20start%20node%20reappears.%20If%20not%2C%20you%20may%20need%20to%20restore%20from%20a%20backup%20if%20you%20have%20one.%20To%20avoid%20data%20loss%2C%20back%20up%20your%20workflows%20before%20making%20major%20changes.%20For%20advanced%20users%2C%20you%20could%20modify%20the%20node%20metadata%20in%20the%20source%20code%20to%20mark%20the%20start%20node%20as%20undeletable%2C%20but%20this%20requires%20editing%20and%20rebuilding%20the%20frontend%20%28%5Bsource%5D%28https%3A//github.com/langgenius/dify/issues/28226%29%29.%0A%0AUntil%20a%20fix%20is%20released%2C%20avoid%20deleting%20the%20start%20node%20in%20your%20workflows.)&nbsp;[![Join Discord](https://img.shields.io/badge/join-5865F2?logo=discord&logoColor=white&label=)](https://go.dosu.dev/discord-bot)&nbsp;[![Share on X](https://img.shields.io/badge/X-share-black)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=%40dosu_ai%20helped%20me%20solve%20this%20issue!&url=https%3A//github.com/langgenius/dify/issues/31275)
Author
Owner

@fatelei commented on GitHub (Jan 20, 2026):

Self Checks

  • I have read the Contributing Guide and Language Policy.[x] This is only for bug report, if you would like to ask a question, please head to Discussions.[x] I have searched for existing issues search for existing issues, including closed ones.[x] I confirm that I am using English to submit this report, otherwise it will be closed.[x] 【中文用户 & Non English User】请使用英语提交,否则会被关闭 :)[x] Please do not modify this template :) and fill in all the required fields.

Dify version

1.11.4

Cloud or Self Hosted

Self Hosted (Source)

Steps to reproduce

Create a new workflow, select the start node, then the start node was deleted by pressing the "delete" key, accidentally . And cannot add the start node again, and cannot undo with Ctrl+Z.

✔️ Expected Behavior

The start node cannot be deleted, or it can be created when there is no start node.

Actual Behavior

The start node was deleted and the workflow was broken.

start node can add, why you can not add

@fatelei commented on GitHub (Jan 20, 2026): > ### Self Checks > * [x] I have read the [Contributing Guide](https://github.com/langgenius/dify/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md) and [Language Policy](https://github.com/langgenius/dify/issues/1542).[x] This is only for bug report, if you would like to ask a question, please head to [Discussions](https://github.com/langgenius/dify/discussions/categories/general).[x] I have searched for existing issues [search for existing issues](https://github.com/langgenius/dify/issues), including closed ones.[x] I confirm that I am using English to submit this report, otherwise it will be closed.[x] 【中文用户 & Non English User】请使用英语提交,否则会被关闭 :)[x] Please do not modify this template :) and fill in all the required fields. > > ### Dify version > 1.11.4 > > ### Cloud or Self Hosted > Self Hosted (Source) > > ### Steps to reproduce > Create a new workflow, select the start node, then the start node was deleted by pressing the "delete" key, accidentally . And cannot add the start node again, and cannot undo with Ctrl+Z. > > ### ✔️ Expected Behavior > The start node cannot be deleted, or it can be created when there is no start node. > > ### ❌ Actual Behavior > The start node was deleted and the workflow was broken. start node can add, why you can not add
Author
Owner

@Angelenx commented on GitHub (Jan 20, 2026):

Self Checks

  • I have read the Contributing Guide and Language Policy.[x] This is only for bug report, if you would like to ask a question, please head to Discussions.[x] I have searched for existing issues search for existing issues, including closed ones.[x] I confirm that I am using English to submit this report, otherwise it will be closed.[x] 【中文用户 & Non English User】请使用英语提交,否则会被关闭 :)[x] Please do not modify this template :) and fill in all the required fields.

Dify version

1.11.4

Cloud or Self Hosted

Self Hosted (Source)

Steps to reproduce

Create a new workflow, select the start node, then the start node was deleted by pressing the "delete" key, accidentally . And cannot add the start node again, and cannot undo with Ctrl+Z.

✔️ Expected Behavior

The start node cannot be deleted, or it can be created when there is no start node.

Actual Behavior

The start node was deleted and the workflow was broken.

start node can add, why you can not add

Sorry, it was my mistake. My team reported this issue to me, but I didn't test it myself and directly opened the issue. I just found out that the start node can be added, and it's in a separate tab.

@Angelenx commented on GitHub (Jan 20, 2026): > > ### Self Checks > > > > > > * [x] I have read the [Contributing Guide](https://github.com/langgenius/dify/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md) and [Language Policy](https://github.com/langgenius/dify/issues/1542).[x] This is only for bug report, if you would like to ask a question, please head to [Discussions](https://github.com/langgenius/dify/discussions/categories/general).[x] I have searched for existing issues [search for existing issues](https://github.com/langgenius/dify/issues), including closed ones.[x] I confirm that I am using English to submit this report, otherwise it will be closed.[x] 【中文用户 & Non English User】请使用英语提交,否则会被关闭 :)[x] Please do not modify this template :) and fill in all the required fields. > > ### Dify version > > 1.11.4 > > ### Cloud or Self Hosted > > Self Hosted (Source) > > ### Steps to reproduce > > Create a new workflow, select the start node, then the start node was deleted by pressing the "delete" key, accidentally . And cannot add the start node again, and cannot undo with Ctrl+Z. > > ### ✔️ Expected Behavior > > The start node cannot be deleted, or it can be created when there is no start node. > > ### ❌ Actual Behavior > > The start node was deleted and the workflow was broken. > > start node can add, why you can not add Sorry, it was my mistake. My team reported this issue to me, but I didn't test it myself and directly opened the issue. I just found out that the start node can be added, and it's in a separate tab.
Author
Owner

@Angelenx commented on GitHub (Jan 20, 2026):

Self Checks

  • I have read the Contributing Guide and Language Policy.[x] This is only for bug report, if you would like to ask a question, please head to Discussions.[x] I have searched for existing issues search for existing issues, including closed ones.[x] I confirm that I am using English to submit this report, otherwise it will be closed.[x] 【中文用户 & Non English User】请使用英语提交,否则会被关闭 :)[x] Please do not modify this template :) and fill in all the required fields.

Dify version

1.11.4

Cloud or Self Hosted

Self Hosted (Source)

Steps to reproduce

Create a new workflow, select the start node, then the start node was deleted by pressing the "delete" key, accidentally . And cannot add the start node again, and cannot undo with Ctrl+Z.

✔️ Expected Behavior

The start node cannot be deleted, or it can be created when there is no start node.

Actual Behavior

The start node was deleted and the workflow was broken.

start node can add, why you can not add

But after creating a new workflow, Ctrl+Z (undo) didn't restore it. That's true.

@Angelenx commented on GitHub (Jan 20, 2026): > > ### Self Checks > > > > > > * [x] I have read the [Contributing Guide](https://github.com/langgenius/dify/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md) and [Language Policy](https://github.com/langgenius/dify/issues/1542).[x] This is only for bug report, if you would like to ask a question, please head to [Discussions](https://github.com/langgenius/dify/discussions/categories/general).[x] I have searched for existing issues [search for existing issues](https://github.com/langgenius/dify/issues), including closed ones.[x] I confirm that I am using English to submit this report, otherwise it will be closed.[x] 【中文用户 & Non English User】请使用英语提交,否则会被关闭 :)[x] Please do not modify this template :) and fill in all the required fields. > > ### Dify version > > 1.11.4 > > ### Cloud or Self Hosted > > Self Hosted (Source) > > ### Steps to reproduce > > Create a new workflow, select the start node, then the start node was deleted by pressing the "delete" key, accidentally . And cannot add the start node again, and cannot undo with Ctrl+Z. > > ### ✔️ Expected Behavior > > The start node cannot be deleted, or it can be created when there is no start node. > > ### ❌ Actual Behavior > > The start node was deleted and the workflow was broken. > > start node can add, why you can not add But after creating a new workflow, Ctrl+Z (undo) didn't restore it. That's true.
Author
Owner

@fatelei commented on GitHub (Jan 20, 2026):

Self Checks

  • I have read the Contributing Guide and Language Policy.[x] This is only for bug report, if you would like to ask a question, please head to Discussions.[x] I have searched for existing issues search for existing issues, including closed ones.[x] I confirm that I am using English to submit this report, otherwise it will be closed.[x] 【中文用户 & Non English User】请使用英语提交,否则会被关闭 :)[x] Please do not modify this template :) and fill in all the required fields.

Dify version

1.11.4

Cloud or Self Hosted

Self Hosted (Source)

Steps to reproduce

Create a new workflow, select the start node, then the start node was deleted by pressing the "delete" key, accidentally . And cannot add the start node again, and cannot undo with Ctrl+Z.

✔️ Expected Behavior

The start node cannot be deleted, or it can be created when there is no start node.

Actual Behavior

The start node was deleted and the workflow was broken.

start node can add, why you can not add

But after creating a new workflow, Ctrl+Z (undo) didn't restore it. That's true.

not support ctrl-z

@fatelei commented on GitHub (Jan 20, 2026): > > > ### Self Checks > > > > > > > > > * [x] I have read the [Contributing Guide](https://github.com/langgenius/dify/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md) and [Language Policy](https://github.com/langgenius/dify/issues/1542).[x] This is only for bug report, if you would like to ask a question, please head to [Discussions](https://github.com/langgenius/dify/discussions/categories/general).[x] I have searched for existing issues [search for existing issues](https://github.com/langgenius/dify/issues), including closed ones.[x] I confirm that I am using English to submit this report, otherwise it will be closed.[x] 【中文用户 & Non English User】请使用英语提交,否则会被关闭 :)[x] Please do not modify this template :) and fill in all the required fields. > > > ### Dify version > > > 1.11.4 > > > ### Cloud or Self Hosted > > > Self Hosted (Source) > > > ### Steps to reproduce > > > Create a new workflow, select the start node, then the start node was deleted by pressing the "delete" key, accidentally . And cannot add the start node again, and cannot undo with Ctrl+Z. > > > ### ✔️ Expected Behavior > > > The start node cannot be deleted, or it can be created when there is no start node. > > > ### ❌ Actual Behavior > > > The start node was deleted and the workflow was broken. > > > > > > start node can add, why you can not add > > But after creating a new workflow, Ctrl+Z (undo) didn't restore it. That's true. not support ctrl-z
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Reference: langgenius/dify#21789