Sequences

[Intro] In this lesson, we’ll be discussing Sequences for your app. Let’s get started. Sequences are great for building engaging features that play out over time, such as workouts or timers. [Setting up a sequence] To create a sequence, go to the Platfio Editor, click Tools, then Sequences. This will take you to the Sequence Collections Editor page where you can manage all your app's sequences. Click the Plus icon to create or add a new collection. Then, click on “Add Blank” on the top right to create a Sequence from scratch. Let’s name this one “Exercise Timer”, then click Save. Next, click the Plus icon at the top right to create a sequence. Name this one “Cardio Timer”. Each step in a sequence is called an interval. Intervals can be either timed—where the next step starts after a set duration—or triggered—where the user manually advances to the next step. Click the Intervals tab, then click Add. Set the type to Timer, name the interval "Treadmill Run", and set the duration to 180 seconds, then click Add. Add another interval named "Rest" for 30 seconds. Then add "Burpees" for 240 seconds. Finally, add another "Rest" interval for 30 seconds. Once done, click the Plus icon on the top right, and then click Save. To make it easy to access, click the Helper button on the bottom right, click the Windows icon, and choose to add it to the Left-Hand Side menu. [Testing a Timed Sequence] Now, let’s test it from the user’s perspective using the emulator. Open the Left-Hand menu and select “Cardio Timer” and then press Play. The timer will begin, and you can tap the interval name to skip or stop it. [Setting up Triggered Sequences] Let’s now create a triggered sequence. Go back to the “Exercise Timer” Collection and click Add and then click on “Add Blank” again on the top right. Let’s name this sequence "Chest Workout”. Add an interval and set the type to Triggered. Let’s name it "Incline Push-ups". In the Description section, enter "12 reps 3 sets." You can also mix in timed intervals. Let’s add a “Rest” interval here as well and set it to 30 seconds. Add another triggered interval this time for “Decline Push-ups” and another timed interval for “Rest” for 30 seconds. Once done, click the Plus icon on the top right, and then click Save. Click the Helper button, then click the Windows icon, and add it to the Left-Hand Side menu. [Testing a Triggered Sequence] Let’s test it in the emulator. Open the Left-Hand menu and select “Chest Workout” and then press Play. You’ll notice there is no timer—you must manually trigger the next interval. [Display Features] You can also customize each interval by adding images or icons, setting sounds and vibrations, or adding links that move users around the app as each interval completes. To personalize your sequence, go to the Details tab in the Sequence Editor. Select Image or Icon, then choose the asset you want to use. Go to the Intervals tab to also add an image or icon for each interval, then click Save. In the Display tab, choose between a List or Slides layout. You can also set a custom Start Sequence Call To Action and select colors for your intervals. Then click Save. You can now see here the changes that have been applied. [Setting up a Completion Link] You can also use completion links to move users to another part of the app when a sequence ends. For example, let’s link the end of the “Cardio Timer” to the “Chest Workout”. Go to the “Cardio Timer”, open the Intervals tab, and in the Completion Link section, click Add. Use the Link Selector to search and select “Chest Workout”, then click Add. Test this in the emulator. Play the “Cardio Timer” and you’ll see that after it finishes, it automatically moves to the “Chest Workout”. [Outro] Sequences are flexible and scalable. You can start simple with a few timed intervals, then gradually layer in things like triggered steps, setting up vibration or audio cues, whatever works best for your flow. Thank you for watching this tutorial on Sequences.