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The entry node is the starting point of every rule graph. Beyond routing visitors into your rule tree, it lets you define an activation window — a time range during which the graph is live — and a fallback URL for visitors who arrive outside that window.

Activation Window

Set a start date and expiration date. The rule graph only evaluates during this window — visitors outside it get the fallback URL.

Fallback URL

Define where visitors land when the graph is inactive, expired, or not yet active. Defaults to the link’s destination URL if not set.

Instant Deployment

Schedule changes deploy instantly to Cloudflare KV. No cron jobs, no propagation delay — the edge worker checks the window on every request.

One Per Graph

Every rule graph has exactly one entry node. It’s always the first node evaluated, ensuring consistent behavior across the entire tree.

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How Scheduling Works

The entry node is compiled with activation metadata and evaluated first on every click:
  1. The edge worker reads the entry node from the compiled tree
  2. If the graph is marked inactive, the visitor is redirected to the fallback URL (or the link’s default destination)
  3. If the current time is before starts_at, the visitor gets the fallback — the graph hasn’t started yet
  4. If the current time is after expires_at, the visitor gets the fallback — the graph has expired
  5. If all checks pass, evaluation continues to the next node in the tree
1

Create or edit a link

Set the link type to Rules and open the flow editor. The entry node is automatically placed on the canvas.
2

Configure the activation window

Click the entry node and set the Start date and Expiration date. Both are optional — omit the start date to activate immediately, or omit the expiration to run indefinitely.
3

Set a fallback URL

Enter a fallback URL for visitors who arrive outside the activation window. If left empty, the link’s default destination URL is used.
4

Build the rest of your graph

Connect the entry node to conditions, splits, transforms, or destinations as usual. The entry node’s scheduling applies to the entire graph.
The start date must be before the expiration date. Middlewr validates this at save time and surfaces an error in the editor if the dates conflict.

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Use Cases

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Limited-time promotions

Run a campaign link that automatically stops routing to the promotion page after the sale ends:
Share links before a product launches. Visitors see a teaser page until the start date, then get routed to the real destination:

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Seasonal routing

Combine scheduling with conditions to run different rule graphs for different seasons without manual intervention.

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Next Steps

Rule Engine

Understand how entry nodes fit into the full compilation and evaluation pipeline.

Conditional Routing

Add conditions after the entry node to route visitors based on geo, device, or time.