> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.phinite.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Variables (Input & Capture)

> Define agent inputs and capture outputs for downstream logic.

## Variable types

* **Input Variables**: values provided to the agent from earlier steps or user input
* **Capture Variables**: values the agent extracts/produces for downstream use

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select inputs">
    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/phinite/spbPnSZPWmAXAKhH/images/select-inputs.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=spbPnSZPWmAXAKhH&q=85&s=33136f21b04407a5041e75e255a1c650" alt="Select Inputs" width="1915" height="875" data-path="images/select-inputs.png" />
    </Frame>

    In Variables, pick inputs from available flow variables.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add captures">
    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/phinite/spbPnSZPWmAXAKhH/images/add-captures.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=spbPnSZPWmAXAKhH&q=85&s=397dc3141b017810ddfe68cdb152e3c8" alt="Add Captures" width="1919" height="871" data-path="images/add-captures.png" />
    </Frame>

    Add capture variables to persist outputs (e.g., `summary`, `status`, `email`).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Use in decisions">
    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/phinite/UT09uRGFOHzKWLgb/images/use-decisions.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=UT09uRGFOHzKWLgb&q=85&s=22e8e57549cc1cd39f1765f7d959b47d" alt="Use Decisions" width="1919" height="873" data-path="images/use-decisions.png" />
    </Frame>

    Reference captured variables in the Decision tab to drive conditional edges.
  </Step>
</Steps>