Skip to main content

Workflow Completion, Rejection, and Terminal States

Understand what happens when a workflow completes, is rejected at a gate, or reaches a terminal state.

Written by James Ross

Overview

A workflow reaches a terminal state when it completes all activities, is rejected at a configured gate, or is manually cancelled. Terminal states are permanent — the workflow cannot be restarted.

Quick Steps

Normal Completion

  • Complete the final activity in the workflow.

  • The workflow enters the Completed terminal state.

  • All remaining tasks are marked as Completed.

  • No open tasks remain.

  • The audit shows a closure entry.

Rejection at a Gate

  • An approval activity configured as a gate (Reject run on rejection) receives a rejection.

  • The workflow enters the Rejected terminal state.

  • Subsequent activities are not created.

  • The audit records the terminal transition.

Cancellation

  • A user with Manage permission clicks Cancel Workflow.

  • After confirmation, the workflow enters the Cancelled terminal state.

  • All active tasks are removed.

  • The workflow moves to the completed/cancelled history.

Note: Terminal states are permanent. Completed, Rejected, and Cancelled workflows cannot be reinstated or modified.

Related Articles

Did this answer your question?